"Look! How good and how pleasant it is
for brothers to dwell together in unity! - Psalm 133:1.
To be read by all persons living in Bethel homes, both at
headquarters and in the branches. As you progress with the
reading, please look up and read every scripture cited. This
booklet is the property of the Society and may not be taken away
from the home in which you reside.
Revised and Effective September 1, 1974
Printed by the WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK,
INC. 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201, U.S.A.
Made in the United States of America
COMING into one of the Society's homes will mean a change in your
lifea big change. But we at Bethel want to make that change as
easy as possible for you. Friendship with our brothers and
sisters is the aim of every one of us living here in these homes.
Now, how can this best be achieved? Lets start at the beginning.
When you first learned the truth, you began to make your mind
over. You started to fill your mind with new ideas. You got these
ideas from reading God's Word, the Bible, and you enjoyed them.
These new truths thrilled you. Now you knew the right thing to
do. You accommodated yourself to new ways of living. You quit
being fashioned after the old system of things and you found out
that, by making your mind over, a pleasant, happy new way of
living was yours. You heard and believed the truth, and it was
wonderful. Now your desire is to live in the new system. You are
working to that end, so you continue to take in knowledge of
Jehovah and his Son, because you know that this means everlasting
life.Rom. 12:1, 2; John 17:3.
Being here at Bethel will be a new experience, also a new way of
living and a pleasant one. We will admit right from the start
that it isn't like living at home with your father and mother,
yet it is still one of the very best places on earth to be living
right now. In many places throughout the world our Bethel homes
are big, our families large, larger in numbers than your natural
family, but we are still one family and we dwell together in
unity. In some places our families are small and it is easy for
all of us to get acquainted with one another. But the point is
this: We want you to feel at home since arriving; we want you to
succeed. Always remember that brothers have been living here
before you came and they have been getting along together in
unity for many years. Bethel homes have been in operation a long
time, and the occupants have contentment with their godliness. (1
Tim. 6:6 8) We have learned certain routines and habits, and they
are good habits because they are based on God's Word and we ac-
complish much work as a result. We like it this way.
You are now a newcomer and certainly you don't expect the Bethel
family to change its ways of living and re- arrange them to
accommodate each newcomer in the home; therefore you may have
some changes to make. You're
like a baby here. You're new in our family and we all
4 DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
love you and we want to get acquainted with you. We know that you
want to get acquainted and accustomed to us too. We want you to
love Bethel as we do. So let's get acquainted right away.
The Brooklyn Bethel is a large home and hundreds of people live
here. Since the Brooklyn Bethel family is so large, we may, when
we see you, think you are just one of the many visitors that come
in each day. We may think that you have some friend who is
looking after you; so, not wanting to intrude into someone else's
business, we go right ahead with our busy routine of life. We do
not know that you are a new arrival. So would you please
introduce yourself to us as you meet us at different places in
the home, the factory or at a congregation? Thank you!
We are scattered all around in the home and factory and offices.
In some Bethel homes the family is not quite as scattered,
because it is smaller. But, believe us, we want to know you.
Sometimes, though, we are so busy with our routine in the home,
factory or office, or with the house- to-house service and Bible
studies, that we find ourselves with barely enough time to say
Hello. So stop us and say, "Hello, I am a new member";
and we will try to learn your name, tell you ours and get
acquainted. Please, try to get acquainted with us right from the
start and help us to meet you. You are a part of our Bethel
family.
Now for a little bit of information about us. We may work in an
office, do housework, work in the laundry, print magazines and
books, and cook wholesome meals; we also study our Bibles. Some
of us work on farms; all of us go to school. And in all of this,
we are really full-time servants of God's kingdom. We have a lot
of preaching to do. We enjoy our family Watchtower study. We go
to our congre- gation meetings and share in them, and we want you
to get the full benefit of these meetings with us. We want you to
enjoy your place in this big theocratic organization. We want you
to do your part, and we want to help you to do it. When you know
us as a busy, active family, you are going to be happy in our
Bethel home. So be sure to get acquainted right from the start,
the first day and the first week; let us know you are here.
Thanks a lot!
We know that a Christian must keep on taking in spiritual food. This is true with regard to our family just as much as it is for any other Christian family. As a family we have our own weekly Watchtower study. Every member of the family should set aside this evening for study with the family. Nothing should interfere with it. Feeding on the things that Jehovah provides on his table is essential to
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNlTY 5
gain life; don't neglect this study. This Bethel family study of
The Watchtower is exclusively for the family; no out- siders are
invited to attend unless they are overnight guests in the Bethel
home.
The Watchtower study is followed by the Theocratic Ministry
School. All who are members of the family are enrolled and all
should take part in this meeting too. We are sure you realize
that everything Jehovah provides through his organization is
important and necessary. So come to both meetings; make comments.
Feel at home.
You will probably find it is a little difficult to get up in
front of the Bethel family to give your first talks. But all of
us went through that ordeal and lived; it will do you good. You
may feel that everyone here is so experienced and has been at
Bethel so many years that you should not even try. That is the
wrong idea. We want you to be an ex- perienced, mature person in
our family. So you need this training as all of us do.
You will also be assigned to a local congregation. You will
attend the congregation book studies, Theocratic Min- istry
School and service meetings, as well as the public talks and
Watchtower studies, under the supervision of the local
congregation with which you associate. It cer- tainly is for your
good to attend these meetings. The more knowledge you take in
during your youth, the happier you will be when you become of
more mature years. All of us can tell you from experience that
what you learn when you are young you will be very grateful for
later on in life. Right study habits will work to your advantage!
You should arrange for some time during the week to study
privately. You should read The Watchtower and Awake! as soon as
you can after you get them in your room. Read all the new
publications of the Society and keep abreast of the things that
the Society knows to be im- portant for the blessing of all of
Jehovah's witnesses.
Usually all Bethel homes have a study room or library, and this
is provided for the use of the family. Concordances and files of
The Watchtower and other publications are kept by the Bethel home
in a place convenient for all. Also a good dictionary should be
on hand in every Bethel home and available to the members of the
family so that they can improve their language, learning to
pronounce and to use words correctly every day as well as when
giving talks. The branch office should mark in the front of all
its library books that they are the property of the branch.
Someone should be appointed to look after the library so that it
will always be in a tidy condition.
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
Jehovah has blessed his organization, as you well know. It
certainly has grown rapidly in the last few years. Many new
Bethel homes have been set up throughout the world at the various
branch locations. We feel sure that Jehovah is pleased with the
praises we are bringing to him day by day and we take great joy
in carrying on true worship. Everyone who works in a Bethel home
or a branch office shows interest in his brothers who are sharing
in the worldwide witness work. He has a privilege of service that
many other publishers do not enjoy; he is in this special service
full time and can work in the interests of all his fellow workers
in the country where he serves, helping to supply them with the
things they need. We need you; that is why you were called. You
will learn a lot, and the more years you spend at Bethel the
better servant you will be. Yes, you said, "Here I am! Send
me." (Isa. 6:8) Now you have a special appointment in
Jehovah's organization.
We are not high-minded, feeling superior to someone else because
of our service, but we do appreciate the organization and our
part in it. In the same way as the eye is important to the body,
and as the ear would not say to the hand, "I have no need of
you," we need you, and that is why we called you to Bethel.
Jehovah's witnesses have land, buildings, furnishings, machinery,
household equipment, linen, food everything that goes to make up
the equipment that is committed into our care. We who have made
expression of wanting to live in the Bethel home and who have
been called to such a place certainly feel a responsibility in
using these things. So in these various dwelling Places we want
to use the property and equipment in the best way to praise
Jehovah. We all look after it and hold it in trust for Jehovah
and his theocratic organization.
As you know, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
is a Pennsylvania corporation, while Watch- tower Bible and Tract
Society of New York, Inc., is a New York corporation. The
International Bible Students Associa- tion is a British
corporation, and we have throughout the world a number of other
corporations that are used by Je- hovah's witnesses. The
president of the above-named three corporations has general
supervision and control over all the business interests of the
Society and is very much interested in the welfare of all those
in Bethel homes everywhere. He wants to see the work move along
well in all of the branch offices and on the farms and in all
other places that come under the direct supervision of the office
of the president.
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY 7
So that all of us may dwell together in unity in these homes, it
is necessary to set out some instructions that will help us all
to get along well together. (Prov. 15:22, 23; 19:2) All of us
know that everyone who becomes a member of one of these many
families has dedicated himself to Jehovah, and, according to his
application, has told us that he has symbolized his dedication by
water immersion. (Matt. 16:24; 28:19, 20) From what you have told
us we know that you are in full accord with the Society's
teachings and that you accept the Bible as the Word of God. (John
8:32; 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17) We know, too, that the truth is
advancing more and more as we approach the perfect day; so it is
necessary for us to keep on studying. An under- standing of God's
Word and of his principles of truth and righteousness is more to
be desired than fine gold.Ps. 19: 7-11.
The reason we have come to the Bethel home is that we love
Jehovah God above everything else. Loving him with all our heart,
mind, soul and strength would certainly re- quire that we love
our brothers too. In fact, Jesus said: '" You must love your
neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:29-31; 1 John 4:20, 21) If
we keep these two commandments, lov- ing God first and our
neighbors as we do ourselves, we certainly will not have any
difficulty in getting along with our brothers and sisters in the
home where we are living. In fact, if we would carry out all the
principles of truth and righteousness that God sets forth in his
Word, we would not need this booklet of counsel, which sets out
some helpful advice as to how we can get along together in unity.
But we make mistakes, and so that we shall under- stand one
another and what we may expect from one another, the Society
publishes this booklet. If we really love our neighbor as we do
ourselvesand certainly we do love ourselves, because we are
always looking after ourselves we shall get along just fine with
everyone.
So, now that you are a new member of the family, let's see what
you can expect of us as the organization moves along and, at the
same time, what we may expect of you in order to make our life
happy and contented here in our daily service to Jehovah.
First of all, we should appreciate that Jehovah God is the Great
Theocrat. We recognize him as supreme and we have full faith that
he is directing his organization through his Son, Jesus Christ.
We should realize that organi zation instructions come from the
head down and not from the bottom up. We who are young and new in
these homes certainly want to find our right place in the
organization and be contented. We should have confidence in
Jehovah's organization and that Jehovah places the members in the
8 DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
body or organization as it pleases him. We should be de- lighted
to do whatever is required. Some of us act in the capacity of
branch overseers, factory overseers, Bethel over- seers, teachers
or special servants, and in numerous other assignments, but every
one of us is a publisher of Jehovah's kingdom.1 Cor. 12:18, 28,
29; Ex. 18:21
Our brothers who are in charge of various departments of work
have had experience in those departments and can help you and
teach you much if you are willing to learn. After you have
mastered the work in the way you have been taught and can do it
excellently, then it will be time enough if you have suggestions
for improvements to talk to those elders in charge about such
improvements that you think will help all concerned. It is good
first to follow the training given. You learn more quickly that
way. We be- lieve that everyone in the Bethel home is working to
advance the interests of the Kingdom. We will keep on believing
that unless someone proves otherwise. "By their fruits you
will recognize them."Matt. 7:16.
We feel confident that Jehovah will keep his organization clean
and will take out all those who cause others to stumble or who
assume the attitude of a boss who is trying to lord it over the
brothers. It is good to extend mercy and to be patient with such
persons for a while. Maybe they will change their course of
action when given some counsel and reproof. But if they do not
have God's spirit they just cannot last at Bethel. All in
Jehovah's organization must be diligent workers. Those who are
placed in positions of responsibility as elders should be the
best examples to all their fellow workers in word and in deed.1
Pet. 5: 1-3.
The president of the Society appoints overseers in Bethel and has
the privilege and responsibility of making any changes that he
sees fit. The president of the Society ap- points the Bethel
overseer who looks after the interests of the Bethel home, the
office overseer in charge of the office management, the factory
overseer who looks after general production and the shipping of
factory production, the farm overseers who look after the farms
and homes in connection with each and the branch overseers in
charge of the work in general in the various countries. In some
instances these overseers may hold more than one position. For
example, the branch overseer may be the office overseer as well.
Other appointments of brothers over divisions of work are usually
made by the branch overseer, but he should make recommendations
to the president before any selections are made of overseers to
look after certain divi- sions of work. Thus if it becomes
necessary to appoint someone to look after the pressroom as an
assistant to the branch overseer, or if someone is to be put in
charge
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY 9
of the kitchen and will have Jurisdiction over other persons, or
if someone is to be appointed to look after the service desk with
considerable responsibility in connection with the handling of
congregation matters, or if someone is to be appointed to do the
translating of the Society's publications into another language,
such appointments should always be brought to the attention of
the president for final ap- proval. The president may have
someone else in mind.
Every member of the Bethel family, no matter where he is located
in Jehovah's organization, should feel perfectly free to register
a complaint if he is mistreated by another individual. These
complaints may be registered with the branch overseer or directly
to the president, but I would like to say now that, whenever
possible, such differences should be settled privately between
the brothers involved. It will save you a lot of heartaches and
bring you great happiness if you can gain your brother without
calling in others. (Matt. 5:21-24; Luke 17:3, 4) If you have
difficulties with your brother, it is always best to go to him
first before you bring someone else in. Don't gossip about your
trouble. Handle it yourself, or, if you must, go to an older
brother, an elder, if you can't straighten it out. Don't carry
bitterness in your heart. (Eph. 4:31, 32) If you can't settle it
after you have taken this course of action, then, of course, you
can write to the president about your difficulties, but you ought
to supply the other brother in your complaint with a copy of your
letter.
Remember that we want to dwell together in unity. If we follow
God's Word, we will; but we forget to do this some- times and so
have trials and difficulties. Problems will arise in the Bethel
home just as they do anywhere else in Je- hovah's organization,
because we are born in sin and shaped in iniquity. But if we keep
on making our minds over and follow Jehovah's admonition, there
should be less trouble. Let us always be contented and happy,
living to- gether as a family.
It is left to the discretion of the overseers appointed by the president to assign the members of the family in var- ious homes and factories to their work. We do not ask individuals to select their jobs, but we feel that the proper spirit to have is that of Isaiah: "Here I am! Send me." We feel, too, that if you are asked to do a job, the one asking you believes that you can do it. Even though you feel that you do not have the natural ability, try to do it with all your heart and mind and ask Jehovah's blessing on your efforts. Have in mind, too, that you may be moved from place to place, but don't think we are displeased. Perhaps
10 DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
we haven't found the right kind of work for you to do, so we keep
trying. Of course, if you are lazy and indifferent toward your
privileges you will probably be told, but you will be told for
your own good. Jehovah is not pleased with a slug- gard. (Prov.
6:6; 13:4, AV) We should be happy to work hard and to serve God
wherever we are. Remember, being in Jehovah's organization and
having any work at all in that organization is an honor and a
privilege.
Every member of the Bethel family receives a small allowance
monthly; it makes no difference if he is the president or some
other individual. The president of the Society determines what
the allowances will be for all those working in the branches.
A Christian should have good morals. Jehovah is dis- pleased
with immoral persons and such will not inherit the kingdom of
God. There are a few things that I would like to say here in this
connection. I am sure you know them, but this will serve to
refresh your memory. Jehovah has no pleasure in a thief, an
evildoer or a busybody in other men's matters. (1 Pet. 4: 15) No
one needs to use filthy language to express his thoughts. The
vocabulary available in all languages is sufficient to get our
ideas across without nasty, filthy words. If one has had the bad
habit of using filthy language before learning the truth, it is
high time for him to get such words out of his mind and make his
mind over. A person can be emphatic, if necessary, without using
bad language. Our speech should be positive and up- building and,
if it is, we will be in harmony with the Christian organization's
way of doing things. Jas. 3:10, 11; 1 Tim. 6:3-5.
Proper respect for persons of both sexes must always be
maintained. Politeness and kindness are always ap- preciated. (1
Cor. chap. 7; Rom. 1:20-32) Men are given places of
responsibility, and those placed in such positions should be
respected by all. The women should always keep their proper place
and recognize Jehovah's arrangement as to their position in His
organization. (1 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:11-13) Filthy habits and
bodily uncleanness will not be tolerated at Bethel. All should
keep hygienically clean and care for their own health. (2 Cor.
7:1) Drunkenness is con- demned by Jehovah and will not be
allowed. (Prov. 23:21; 1 Cor. 6:10) It is expected that all who
become members of a Bethel family have ceased any filthy and
unscriptural habits that they might have engaged in prior to
learning the truth If anyone needs help- along any of these
lines,
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY 11
talk to an elder at Bethel and he will be glad to help you from
the Scriptures. Jehovah's organization must remain clean; those
who do not want to practice good conduct, but who want to live in
the way of the old system will, when discovered, be dismissed
from the family.2 Tim. 3:1-7.
Wine and liquors may be used in moderation by the members of the
family if any so desire. But when such beverages are brought into
the home they should be used in such a way as not to stumble
others.1 Pet. 4:3. Those who have dedicated themselves to Jehovah
should never give anyone cause to point the finger of reproach at
Jehovah's organization. Never act improperly in public or in
private. What you do that is observed by others will cause them
to believe that the rest of the family act the same way. While
this may not be true, still an organization is judged by those
that represent it. Let your actions be based on the principles of
truth and righteousness. Love your neighbor as you do yourself.
If you ~o this, you will conduct yourself properly toward your
brothers and all people. Gal. 5:19-26; Eph 5:1518; 1 Pet. 4:24.
A clean person and a clean room will bring you happiness and
contentment. It will contribute to good health. There is no
reason for anyone to be dirty. Ample provisions are made for
taking baths and keeping one's body clean. It is a good practice
to bathe daily. Do not only keep yourself clean, but clean up
after yourself; rinse out the washbasin after you use it. Keep
things tidy in your room; remember, your roommate lives there
too. Things decorative or orna- mental may be displayed in your
room; however, papers, magazines, books left lying around and
clothing that is not put away only detract from the appearance of
the room and make more work for those cleaning your room. Also
keep your desk, working tables and machinery clean at work. You
will be able to use them better and the machinery will run more
smoothly.
Remember that you are a member of a family and you are expected to keep confidence with the family and the organization. Many things that are said to the family by the one at the head of the Bethel table or by the one in charge of the home are for the family only. No one should communicate with brothers outside the Bethel home con- cerning new publications that may be manufactured or letters that are being printed, or send out reports about matters discussed at the Bethel table that strictly involve
12 DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
our family. These are confidential to the family.Compare Matthew
17:9.
Information that the Society desires to communicate to the
brothers outside the Bethel home will be given them in due time
through The Watchtower, Awake!, Kingdom Min- utry or by letters
mailed by the Society. Letter writing, of course, is a fine
thing. Encouraging words and helpful suggestions can be given to
relatives, others in the full-time service and publishers on the
outside. However, we should never include confidential matters
and especially not gossip in our letters; neither should we
gossip within the family. Prov. 17:4; 26:2~22.
Remember, your mother and father, especially if they are
Jehovah's witnesses, are very much interested in you. There is a
natural family bond of love. They would like to hear from you
once in a while. Why not write your mother and father once a
week. There are many things that you can write them aboutyour
experiences in the field service, your congregational meetings,
experiences related to the Bethel family by travelling
representatives, and personal activities, aside from the details
about work that you handle at Bethel. They spent a lot of time
with you and cared for you daily before you came to Bethel. They
miss you. A letter will help them.
Details about the individual work assigned to you as a member of
the family are confidential. What you are given to do is your
business. You are requested not to communicate information from
your department to another department. If we wanted you to know
the details of the other persons' work we would have assigned
that work to you. Married couples serving in different
departments should not discuss confidential details of their work
when at home. If you have problems, take them up with the elder
in charge. The same is true concerning roommates. Confidential
Society matters received in the mail should be handled
confidentially. Information to be announced generally will be
presented by the one in charge of the home or the factory. If you
are to know what is going on in other departments, you will be
told through the proper overseer.
We are interested in the welfare of our brothers, but working
hours are not for visiting. That is the time to work. If we find
that we haven't enough to do, then we should report to the
overseer in charge of where we work. When we waste time talking
unnecessarily to other people, it is a waste of their time as
well as ours.
A capable, sympathetic person should be assigned to first aid. First-aid equipment should be available to all who
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY 13
may get hurt or bruised. If they need someone to help them with
their wounds, then the one assigned should be told immediately.
If a major accident occurs, the one in charge of first aid should
get in touch immediately with the over- seer in charge of the
branch or home, who will see that the injured person is cared for
properly. If necessary, the overseer will call a doctor or send
the injured person to a hospital. A full and accurate report on
the accident should be typewritten for future reference. If there
was any care- lessness on the part of the individual or on the
part of the management in not guarding moving parts of the
machinery, these things should be corrected.
Keep in mind that there is always danger near moving machinery.
Therefore, care should always be taken by those operating
machines when working or cleaning around them. It would be better
to stop the machine if some adjustments need to be made. Do not
use rags to clean machinery ex- cept when it is stopped and the
power is off. Machine parts can be purchased, but we can't buy
fingers and hands; so please be careful and do not take chances.
Always be care- ful around machines in motion. Your safety is
what you should be interested in as well as that of your
brothers.
Brothers brought into the family are believed to be strong and healthy and, according to their applications, there is nothing seriously wrong with them. The Society will try to keep its members healthy. We do so by providing them with clean rooms, comfortable sleeping quarters, wholesome food and good conditions under which to live and carry on their daily routine. If an individual gets sick and it is believed necessary to call a doctor, the brother in charge should not hesitate to do so. If the branch office can make arrangements with dentists or optometrists or other specialists to get re- duced rates for the care of the teeth and eyes of the family, this should be done. If the branch overseer can arrange for free treatments for members of the family, then the mem- bers of the family can be called from their work at various intervals for checkups or treatments. If it is during working hours, please notify the brother in charge of your depart- ment before going for medical attention. It is a good thing for members of the family who are not feeling well to report that to the one in charge of first aid. Maybe some advice can be given to the individual that will help him to get over a cold or other difficulty. Getting to bed early in the evening right after supper when feeling ill is better than going out. Rest and sleep are the best healers. It may be necessary to isolate a sick person and restrict visitors to
14 DWELLlNG TOGETHER IN UNITY
keep the ailment from spreading. Those who get sick will be given
needed treatment.
If one of the brothers in the home is a barber, arrange- ments
can be made for him to cut the hair of the other brothers and
sisters. A schedule should be drawn up and the brothers called
according to the schedule to have their hair cut.
Remember that the money the Society spends is not furnished by
us. It was contributed by those who want to see Kingdom interests
advanced. We should not waste food, electricity, water, supplies
or equipment. All of us should be careful and economical. When
you are given machinery to operate or tools to use, you should
take good care of them. Be sure to oil and clean your machines
according to the schedule established by the branch overseer or
the one in charge. Waste in Jehovah's organization should be at a
minimum.Prov. 18:9; John 6:12.
All lost equipment should be reported immediately. Any- one
deliberately destroying equipment will be required to pay for it.
Lights should not be left on when not needed. Be sure to turn
water faucets completely off. There are many ways in which you
can help to avoid needless ex- penses by just being careful.
Things needing repairs should be reported in writing. The
Society's buildings are kept in good condition inside and out But
after you report in writing the need of repairs, the
responsibility is no longer yours. It becomes the responsibility
of the brother in charge if you have made the written report to
him.
In the Society's buildings where there are elevators, those who
need to climb more than three nights of stairs or descend more
than six flights of stairs are permitted to use the elevators.
Those who are infirm or those over thirty- five years of age may
use the elevators at any time.
Radiators should be turned completely off when rooms are not occupied. If you are in the room and it gets too warm, turn the radiator off. Never have the windows open and the radiator on at the same time. When you are living or working in a room with someone else, if the room be- comes too warm or too cool it would be well to consult the other person before changing the temperature. It may be that you are underclad and could put on a sweater or a jacket, which would make the temperature just right for both of you. If it becomes too warm, the first thing to do is to turn off the heat. After this has been done, if the room still remains too warm, then you can open a window. For
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY 15
comfort in working, a temperature between 68 and 72 degrees
Fahrenheit seems to be the best. In some countries it does not
get that cool, so one just becomes accustomed to the higher
temperature.
No large expenditures or purchases of any machinery or of
property or anything out of the routine needs should be made
without the approval of the president of the So- ciety. Before
anything may be purchased, a requisition must be written out and
approved by the overseer appointed by the president or by the
president himself. The approved requisition should go to the
purchasing clerk, who will make out a purchase order. This order
will go to the seller, and a copy should be attached to the
requisition so that it can be checked with the receipt of goods
and the bill of sale before payment is made. Any person who buys
some- thing in the name of the Society without an approved
requisi- tion will have to pay the bill himself. No one may
obligate the Society to an expenditure or purchase in the name of
the Society unless he has written approval from the one in
charge.
All matter being printed in the buildings of the Society be-
longs to the Society. No books, magazines or any publications may
be removed from the bins, skids, or presses and taken out of the
building except by the permission of the overseer in charge. The
Watchtower, Awake!, Kingdom Ministry, letters and other
information for individuals in the family will be delivered to
their rooms at the proper time.
No one should operate another person's machine or change the
adjustments. No one may borrow tools or move them from one
department to another without asking for per- mission. Because
tools or other equipment are not locked up is no reason to walk
away with them. If tools are needed, they must be obtained from
the overseer in charge.
No furniture or equipment may be brought into any of the
Society's homes or alterations made in your room with- out
permission. Private property such as clothing may be brought into
a home without permission. Radios, lounging chairs and similar
items may be purchased by members of the family, but before doing
so be sure you have the per- mission of the overseer in charge to
bring them into the home. Junky pieces of furniture will not be
allowed in the home. Installations of a permanent nature must
remain in the room. Any alterations to be made in a room should
be made at painting time, which is about every five years. Wall
washing is done once a year.
At the close of every day's work, desks, cases and work-
benches should be cleared of all papers and tools, which
16 DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
should be put in their proper places. Everything should be left
in a tidy condition at the close of the day.
Overalls and shop apparel are to be placed in the dressing room
in the area assigned you. The dressing rooms and washrooms should
be kept clean and the toilets sanitary. Brothers and sisters
should put on neat, clean clothes when coming to meals or when
travelling the streets to and from work. We should not appear
sloppy or indifferent toward proper dress, nor should we be
conspicuous by wearing overalls or dirty work clothes in the
dining room or on the streets. We should wear clothing that
befits our Christian life. When coming to meals we should have on
the cus- tomary dress of the country. Washing up before mealtimes
is essential and is expected of all.
Each one of us as a member of the Bethel family wants to take
part in the field service, witnessing from house to house, making
return visits and conducting Bible studies. (Matt. 24:14; Isa.
61:1, 2) Field service is a big part of our lives. We have
dedicated ourselves to God to do his will; so, in order to share
to the full in the privilege of being his servants we study his
Word and we witness to other per- sons. The elders of the
congregation with which you work will assist you to be regular in
the field service. The aid they offer you is for your own
spiritual welfare. One way to keep happy in Bethel service is to
keep busy in the field service. We need personal association with
the other pub- lishers and with interested people to keep alive
spiritually.
Every Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday the regular routine
of work stops so that we will have time to engage in the field
service. Field service should at no time interfere with your
regular assigned work in the Bethel home, office or factory.
Remember, you were called to Bethel to do a special work. You
should keep your Bethel service first in your life, as your work
at Bethel is necessary to help others in their service. However,
we will have time to engage in preaching the "good
news" and we should make good use of that time.
In many instances in branch office cities members of the branch
staff are appointed as elders and ministerial assistants in local
congregations, but even if they are such it does not mean they
can neglect their Bethel work. Being an elder or ministerial
assistant in the local congregation is an added
privilege of service and should be considered as such.
The reason we came to Bethel was to work, wasn't it?
We can get the most work done if we all work together at
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY 17
the same time. The hours of work are from 8 a.m. until 11:55 a.m.
and from 1 p.m. until 5:40 p.m. A bell will be sounded at 8 a.m.
and at 1 p.m. and all should be at their work by those times.
Another bell will be sounded at 11:55 a.m. and at 5:40 p.m. These
bells notify the brothers to close down their machines and get
ready for meals. Some countries may find it advisable to adjust
the eight hours and thirty-five minutes to accommodate their
local conditions. In such cases they will write to the president
for a change. However, the hours of work in all countries will be
eight hours and thirty-five minutes. These hours apply from
Monday through Friday, and a half day of three hours and
fifty-five minutes on Saturday morning. It would be wrong to
waste your time during these hours. You should not engage in
personal errands or go out for refreshments or carry on visiting
during that time. (Prov. 13:4; 26:16) If it becomes necessary for
you to leave the home or the factory for any reason during
working hours, obtain per- mission from the overseer in charge.
While you may be as- signed to prepare public talks to give on
some weekends or material for other congregational meetings,
these are added privileges of service to be cared for during free
time. Likewise we request you not to carry on personal
correspondence or to read newspapers or literature for personal
study during the working hours. In the general routine of work
some brothers are re- quired to work hours other than those
mentioned before, and in such cases a schedule should be made by
the overseer so that the brothers will be working eight hours and
thirty- five minutes during a day. Of course, if a brother wishes
to work longer hours than required at his assigned work, he may
do so as long as it does not impair his health and if it is in
the best interests of the work. It should be under- stood,
though, that working extra hours at his regular work does not
allow him to be away at any time during the regular working
period unless special permission has been obtained. We must have
permission to be absent from the Bethel home or factory during
regular working hours. No one is ever given blanket permission to
come and go as he pleases. Set a good example for the newcomers
by being at work on time and leaving after the bell rings.
Sometimes it may be requested that we put in extra time in the
office or factory because of the press of work, but we hope this
will not be too often. There are also a few extra duties, like
dish duty, lobby or watchman duty, to which members of the family
are assigned by written notice from time to time. All other hours
of the day outside the scheduled ones are yours to use as you see
fit, to the honor and glory of Jehovah.
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
One key to the main entrance of the home will be pro vided
each member of the family. No one is ever allowed to make
duplicate keys. If a key is lost, report it in writing to the
overseer in charge. Another key will be provided in due time
after written notice of the lost key has been received, but if
the second key is also lost, the overseer in charge may use his
discretion as to whether the brother should have a third key.
Keys may not be loaned from one member of the family to another.
Your key is Private property. Should you ever find it necessary
to leave Bethel, your house key must be turned in to the overseer
in charge. Everyone coming into or going out of the home should
see to it that the door is closed and locked, unless it is during
working hours when the door is normally unlocked. If it is the
custom for the door always to be locked, then every individual in
the home should be careful to see that the door is kept locked.
Keys for any building other than the living quarters will be
given only to such persons as need them; for example, the
watchman or the person who usually opens the building in the
morning and closes it at night. Records will be kept of all
brothers having keys and of the respective key numbers.
Each member of the Brooklyn Bethel family is given an
identification card upon his becoming a member of the family.
This is because the family is so large, and so this acts as a
protection to the family. Every member of the family should carry
his identification card with him and show it upon request when
entering the home if he is questioned by another member of the
family. All of us should be interested in protecting the home and
keeping out those who do not live here. If you terminate your
service at Bethel, the identification card should be turned in at
the time you turn in your key to the Bethel office.
When one becomes a member of the family, he should want to become fully acquainted with the general routine of the home. That is why you were given a copy of this booklet, Dwelling Together in Unity. I hope that you will carefully read each of these suggested principles for living together. As long as you are a member of this family you may keep this copy of DwelIing Together in Unity. If for some reason you find it necessary to leave the family, please turn this booklet in to the overseer in charge. We feel
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY 19
sure that all will agree with the suggestions set out here,
because they are based on the Scriptures, and by following them
we will show our love for the organization and for our brothers.
All of us would want unruly and obstinate persons dismissed from
the home. (Prov. 12:7; 16:2830) Why have discord when the rest of
us want to keep happy and enjoy the home? So it is best to send
such ones away and let them live as they wish. We will live as
Jehovah wants us to and we will show our gratitude for his
undeserved kind ness in arranging for us to be here.
The overseer in charge assigns each member to the room we want
him to live in, and we sincerely hope that room- mates will get
well acquainted and enjoy each other's good association.
Remember, we all have different personalities, but since we are
walking in the truth they are not so dif- ferent that we can't
get along well together. Your room is your private home, so you
should take care of it and you may make it as comfortable as
possible. If you want to get additional furniture or hang up some
pictures or cal- endars or put up drapes at the windows at your
own expense always get permission first from the home overseer.
If what you have in mind is within reason, and will not inter-
fere with the cleaning of the room, permission will be granted.
Also, you should always consult your roommate about moving in any
additional pieces of furniture. Give consideration to the other
person.
No one should go into another's room without an invitation. Knock
on the door, and if you are asked to come in, then enter; but if
you receive no response, then you have no per- mission to enter
the room. If you go to another person's room and you find him
studying or doing some such work, it is good to inquire as to how
busy he is. Maybe he wants to keep working so as to finish
whatever he is doing Or, when you have visitors, if your roommate
is studying or getting things ready for a meeting or for a public
talk, take these things in- to consideration. You may find it
advisable to go to the other person's room to carry on your
conversation. The overseer in charge may visit the rooms at any
time that necessity requires it.
Your becoming a member of the Bethel family is a blessed
privilege. You should consider that Jehovah arranged for you to
be here, that it was his organization that called You. Before you
decide to leave Bethel it would be well to talk to one of the
elders about it. Leaving the Bethel home is not a sin, and there
are some good reasons for going away, but be sure these reasons
are sufficiently strong. Never forget your first love for the
Bethel home, and keep that love strong by engaging regularly in
the field service, attending
20 DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
meetings and keeping busy in your work. Learn to love your new
home.
If you find it necessary to leave, we would appreciate your
giving the overseer in charge a thirty-day notice in writing so
that arrangements can be made to have some- one else come to take
your place when you leave.
When individuals are called to Bethel it must be decided whether
to select a single person or a married couple, a brother or a
sister. Branch overseers make their recom- mendations to the
president and get his approval before calling persons to Bethel,
explaining why these ones are needed at Bethel. The work in the
Bethel home requires healthy, strong persons, and usually young
single persons are brought in for Bethel service. As a general
rule the greater portion of the work can be best taken care of by
brothers; of course, some kinds of work require sisters. As
individuals remain at Bethel over a period of years, they
naturally become more efficient, and the longer they are at
Bethel the greater their love for it becomes. Bethel be- comes
our home and we love it. As time goes on, however, the desire to
marry may arise. It is a difficult thing for one who loves Bethel
to decide whether he should give up his many privileges of
service at Bethel for marriage, but in many instances a member of
the family decides it is better for him to marry. The apostle
Paul said: "Let marriage be honorable among all, and . . .
without defilement, for God will judge fornicators," and
also that he that gives his virginity in marriage does well, but
he that does not give it in marriage will do better." (Heb.
13:4; 1 Cor. 7:38) So each individual must decide for himself.
Any two single members of the Bethel family, both of whom have
been at Bethel two years or more and who wish to get married and
stay at Bethel, may make such request of the Society, and if
approved by the Society, they may stay, but they must fill out
new applications for Bethel, which new applications are for four
or more years, beginning at the date of their marriage.
Also, a brother or a sister who has been at Bethel for four years
or longer and is interested in marriage, and who desires to being
a brother or sister into Bethel for the purpose of marriage, will
have to get permission from the Society. Both of them must file
applications to be at Bethel four years or longer, applicable
from the time of their marriage. These applications are to be
filled in and filed with the office of the president for review
by the board of
directors. The usual checkup will be made on both parties.
It will be up to the Society through its board of directors
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY 21
to make the decision as to who shall become members of the Bethel
family under the above circumstances, and who shall remain in the
family if they decide to get married.
If the question arises in branches about bringing someone into
Bethel from the outside for marriage to someone who has been at
Bethel for four years or more, the application for Bethel service
would first have to be presented to the branch overseer. However,
before the branch overseer makes inquiry of the office of the
president he would ask at least two other Bethel elders,
preferably the factory and Bethel overseers, what they recommend
and send their recom-
mendaffons and his to the office of the president in writing.
Each of these individuals will make his separate written
recommendation on what should be done and why, whether all agree
or not. What the local congregation elders think of the
individual who wants to come into Bethel should be attached to
the application also. A thorough review of the individual's
qualifications should be sent along with the applications of both
persons. It will be up to the board of directors of the Society
to go over the material and decide whether the person will be
called in or not.
In a case where both members are in the Bethel family already,
the brother and the sister, then the same above- mentioned
overseers in the branch can make a recom- mendation to the
Society as to whether they should stay or not.
Of course, if other obligations arise after marriage or
difficulties develop that prevent them from dwelling to- gether
in unity, then the Society may have to advise on the course of
action to take.
However, if any member of the Bethel family who has served for
the minimum time agreed wishes to marry some- one and live
outside the family, we wish him Jehovah's rich blessing. His
leaving, though, does not mean that he is leaving full-time
special service. It may well be that some other privilege of
special full-time service can be his, like pioneering or maybe
circuit work if he has the qualifi- cations of an elder, and if
his wife could join him in that work and carry on pioneer
activity as a circuit overseer's wife. Perhaps Gilead could be
his goal after some years of pioneer service with his wife, or
maybe the special pioneer work.
Of course, when you come to Bethel we want you to stay and make
it your life's work, if you can. But I know that many problems
can arise in the lives of some that will cause them to leave. If
your reasons are sufficiently strong in your own mind to cause
you to leave Bethel, well and good; but I sincerely hope and pray
that those who do leave will try to stay in the pioneer service.
A person at Bethel re-
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
ceives good training over a period of years and this will equip
him for other full-time service. So, if one makes the request and
can be used in some other special field upon leaving Bethel, it
will be considered. Of course, he must meet the qualifications of
having kept up with the family study of The Watchtower and the
Theocratic Ministry School, kept active in the field service and
kept doing his work well in the Bethel family. These are the
things that will show those in positions of responsibility that
he does have at least some of the qualifications that would help
others in the right way. He should show a spirit or dominant
attitude that is right with God's spirit at all times. He will
find that the longer he is at Bethel, enjoying all of its
privileges, the more he will be making his mind over.
But no matter where you are, whether in Bethel, in the pioneer
work, serving as a circuit overseer, in a missionary home or as a
congregation publisher, we want to see you maintain your
integrity and prove the Devil a liar. Just think of the joy that
we can bring Jehovah! He said: "Be wise, my son, and make my
heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting
me." (Prov. 27:11) So we ex- pect you to stay with Jehovah's
organization because you want to share in the vindication of
Jehovah's name and because you love life. Moreover, it is hoped
that it will be at Bethel where you will accomplish that, now
that you have come here and are one of our family.
The telephone is a very helpful instrument that can be used to
our advantage. However, we would appreciate it if you would not
use the business telephones for personal matters. You should
arrange for your personal calls to be made at times other than
working hours. If you do receive a telephone call during working
hours, please make your conversation brief.
The telephones in the office and factory are for Society
business. However, if you find that you must make personal calls
through them, please get permission first. You will have to pay
the Society for the cost of the call. If you make any
long-distance calls, you will have to ascertain the charge so
that it can be paid to the Society. Strangers are not permitted
to use the tele cept by permission of the one in charge.
Please make your regular business con- versations brief, too, so
that the wires will not be tied up, keeping other calls from
coming through. If you have an inside phone system it should be
remem- bered that this is to be used for business and not for
visiting, during and after working hours. If, after 5:40 p.m.,
you want to talk to another brother in your building, then it
would be
DWELLlNG TOGETHER IN UNITY 23
better if you went personally to see him rather than phone and
possibly disturb another brother who would have to try to locate
him. You would appreciate the same consider- ation. After 9:00
p.m. the phones should not be used unless it is an emergency.
Someone is appointed by the brother in charge to show visitors
around the home. If you want to take someone through, you may get
permission to do so; but if the one in charge believes it is best
to have a regular guide take your party through, it is for him to
decide. You cannot just take people around the premises of the
Society anytime you want to. Please obtain permission each time.
The overseer in charge is the one to decide what should be shown
to visitors and he will arrange a regular route to follow during
working hours. Before anyone can be invited for a meal or invited
to stay overnight, permission must be obtained from the over-
seer in charge. Arrangements should be made in advance. Please
understand that if they are not, your request may not be granted.
Visitors who are calling for just a short time will remain in the
visiting room or lobby of the Bethel home until the one they are
visiting is called and meets them there. Any person invited for
dinner must be registered and he will be given a place to sit in
the dining room with his friends in the Bethel family. Always
keep in mind that we are limited in the number of guests we can
have for meals because of space, cooking arrangements, pur
chasing of food, etc. You should not invite visitors to meals on
weekends when meals are served cafeteria style. There can be
exceptions to this, but permission must be obtained, otherwise it
may be necessary to limit your guest privileges for a period of
time. After the meals or during the evening it will be
permissible for members of the family who invite guests in to see
them to take them to their rooms and to entertain them. All such
guests must register "in" and "out" of the
home, and at all times while in the home they should be
accompanied by a member of the Bethel family. Of course, on such
oc- casions nothing should occur in the rooms that would disturb
other members of the family in the home. If any one is in a room
alone with a member of the opposite sex who is not a close
relative, they must leave the door wide open. Special
arrangements can be made with the overseer in charge for you to
have members of your own family who are Jehovah's witnesses stay
overnight in the Bethel home. In some homes there may not be any
available space, and
24 DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
then, of course, we could not invite guests to stay overnight.
But if there are some available vacant rooms and you have
permission you may have your close relatives visit you on a
weekend or during the week. When guests stay in the home they may
have their meals with the family. In this way, members of the
Bethel family can spend considerable time with their folks who
are walking in the truth. Arrange- ments are not made to
accommodate guests for more than two nights in the Bethel home,
even though space is avail- able for a longer period, as it would
work a burden on others of the family in cleaning the rooms,
preparing meals, etc. Pioneers in good standing who are passing
through a city where there is a branch office may make
arrangements in advance with the overseer in charge to eat with
the family there and to stay overnight if there is room. If any
pioneer overdoes this, then permission would not be granted. We
want you to make Bethel your home, and we want you to feel free
to invite your friends who are Jehovah's witnesses to Bethel as
your guests from time to time if you so desire. We feel sure that
none of the members of the family will overdo this and misuse the
privilege, but, if some do, then the overseer in charge has the
right to decide whether restrictions should be put on those
persons as to the number of individuals such ones may bring in as
guests.
In many parts of the earth we have very large buildings for the Bethel homes and factories and in such places there should be night watchmen. A checkup should be made in all parts of the building every two hours. He should check to see that the windows and doors are securely dosed and that no water is running in the toilets and sinks. The watchman can also be given other work to do, however, something that will not disturb the sleeping members of the family. In smaller homes, like regular dwellings where there are only five to ten persons or so who sleep there, there may be no need to have a night watchman. We leave this to the discretion of the overseer in charge. If there is no watchman in charge of the home, then, of course, everyone is respon- sible to see that windows and doors are closed and locked when going in and out. In the evening before retiring, the home overseer or someone appointed should see to it that the main entrances are securely locked. Where night watch- men are assigned, a schedule should be made out for week- ends so that the watchman will be relieved by other mem bers of the family. This assignment for weekends will take in all the members of the family, with different ones being assigned at different times. Sisters may be put on duty
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
during the daytime and evenings, but for night watchmen always
use brothers. Where there are many visitors or businessmen who
come to the home, as at the headquarters of the Society, we have
someone appointed to answer the door and care for the main lobby.
This one should receive sufficient work to keep him busy in
addition to caring for those calling.
All of us in the Bethel home fully appreciate that there must be an orderly arrangement and that someone must be in charge to answer questions and from time to time to make suggestions that will benefit all members of the family. When there is a branch organization, then the branch overseer is in charge. Other persons may be ap- pointed to assist the branch overseer, such as the office, factory, Bethel and home overseers. When these brothers who have positions of responsibility request you to do something or make suggestions about things that need to be done in the home, you should heed their suggestions and follow their counsel. These brothers who have been appointed and put in responsible positions are interested only in the welfare of the family and in the promotion of the Kingdom interests; and if we all work together with them we will have a happy family and all of us will dwell together in unity. From time to time it may become necessary for the overseer in charge to give some good advice to you. Per- haps you do not fully appreciate that you are disturbing other persons by your actions; and if such an occasion arises so that it is necessary for you to receive counsel, then accept it in the spirit in which it is given. It is to help you to get along better with your brothers.Gal. 6:1. Sometimes you will have problems. Coming into the Bethel home isn't going to remove all the problems from your life; it may even bring more. But as these problems arise it is well for you to talk about the difficulty to mature brothers, elders who have been in the family for many years. Maybe they can help you with it. Or, you can go to the branch overseer or the Bethel overseer and maybe he can help you. Those who live in the Bethel home in Brooklyn or at one of the farms the Society operates in the United States may always feel free to come to the president with their problems, and when the president visits branches the members of these families should feel the same way too. Those in Brooklyn Bethel or branches may always feel free to write about their problems if they think it necessary to bring them to the president's attention. I am not asking
26 DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
you to write me lettersI have plenty of mail; but if you feel
that I can help I am certainly willing to try.
All of us want to be contented and happy, and we want you to stay
at Bethel; so don't let some little, aggravating problem disturb
your equilibrium and make you think, "Well, now I have to
go." Let's work out your problem together.
There are a lot of little details you are going to get ac-
quainted with in Bethel life: where to put your laundry, where to
keep Your clothes, how to take care of your bed on weekends,
where to dispose of fruit peelings or garbage in the home, and
other things. It may even be necessary to tell you how to open
and shut a door, because sometimes persons like to bang doors and
it isn't very considerate. But these are all little things that
can be worked out be- tween you and the overseer, and from time
to time it may be necessary for the overseer to announce certain
regulations to keep the house activity running smoothly.
For example, about lights: We like to go to bed at a reasonable
hour, and it seems that at 10:30 p.m. lights should be out.
However, if your roommate is not at home and you want to read a
little later, you may. But remember that you need your sleep too,
and we want you to be at breakfast in the morning for the
discussion o$ the day's text. It is good to get at least eight
hours of sleep each night.
You will appreciate as time goes on that coming to break- fast is
important to Bethel life. Sometimes we may find it very hard to
get up in time for breakfast, but it is a good habit to start.
For fifteen minutes on all working days we discuss the day's text
in the morning before breakfast. Brothers and sisters are called
on to comment. This arrange- ment is very helpful to our
spiritual life. Give this fifteen minutes your undivided
attention. It is more important than the meal. So always be down
to breakfast; and it is beneficial to read the scripture and
comment in the Yearbook before- hand. When you are called upon to
do so, prepare a question and a comment, since we enjoy hearing
you express yourself.
Probably you came from a small congregation where you had to do
the talking. Now you get into a large family where you will want
to give others the chance to talk, too; but just because there
are so many of us, don't be afraid to speak up. Remember, we want
to know you and you want to know us.
After our morning discussion is over we always have a prayer
expressing our gratitude to Jehovah for his blessings and
guidance on the organization. Then we go ahead with our meal.
Near the conclusion of our meal we read the Yearbook or some
article from The Watchtower or Awake! for five minutes. Then we
have a general dismissal by means of prayer. We are grateful for
Jehovah's provisions
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNlTY 27
and give thanks to Him for all things. Whether we are eating or
drinking, we do all things as to Jehovah.1 Cor. 10:31.
In different homes the times for meals may vary. At Brooklyn
Bethel we have breakfast at 7 a.m., dinner at 12:15 p.m. and our
evening meal at 6 p.m. On Saturday when we work one half day, and
on Sunday, we have a cafeteria arrangement for the evening meal.
On Saturday this is served between 5 and 6:30 p.m. Cafeteria
breakfast Sundays is served between 7 and 8 a.m. Then we have
extra supplies of food so that you can make some sandwiches to
take to your room or out in the field service with you for your
noon meal. On Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. we have the cafeteria
arrangement and you can come at any time during these two hours
and enjoy a good, nourishing evening meal. If a branch office
sees fit to change the hours for these meals on weekends because
of local customs, the branch overseer will fix the hours.
If there is food remaining on the table after a meal you may take
fruit, a sandwich or anything else on the table to your room for
a later time. It is perfectly all right to take food with you
when you leave the table; however, the dining room dishes and
tableware are to be left in the dining room. Do not put any food
in a dresser drawer or in a closet, and be sure the food you take
i~ used the same day, unless you have some means of
refrigeration. It is not good to have food in the room otherwise,
because the bugs may think more of it than you do and start
eating from it. It is hard to keep the living quarters clean and
free from vermin if you have food around.
I am sure that all of us will keep in mind that we do want our
home to be neat and clean and tidy and that we will cooperate
with the overseer in charge and with the housekeepers to keep it
that way.
Good table manners are always welcome and make the rest of us
comfortable. It is good for brothers to speak with one another
while at the table, but we should keep our voice at a low level
so that other persons who want to talk can carry on a
conversation too. However, when the one at the head of the table
speaks, asking for a question, or giving information, then all
should cease talking and listen to the chairman or others who may
speak for the benefit of the whole family.
Included in good table manners is the passing of food. After
serving yourself make certain to pass it on to the one next to
you, until everyone has had the opportunity of being served. So
that there will be an equal distribution of food, take only your
portion, even though the dish being served may be your favorite.1
Cor. 10:24.
21~ DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
It isn't necessary to list a whole lot of do's and don't's for
brothers who love their neighbors as they do themselves. Take
this example; I am sure you will appreciate it: You don't want to
disturb other persons with your radio any more than you would
want them to disturb you. Of course, if you have a radio or
television or high fidelity system in your room you should use it
just for your own benefit, not for all the neighbors; so it is
good to keep the volume low, just loud enough for you and those
in the room with you to enjoy it. Maybe your brother next door is
preparing a talk and he cannot do it with music or other
entertainment playing loud nearby. This is true of a lot of other
little things; just be considerate. Peace and quiet are always
appreciated by brothers living in any home.Isa. 32:17, 18.
All members of the Bethel family are allowed a vacation. Anyone who comes to Bethel before February 1 may have a two-week vacation (eleven and a half working days) at the end of the service year. Anyone coming after February 1 may take time equal to one working day off for each full month of Bethel service to the end of the service year. The time must be taken at one period during July, August or thereafter and cannot be split up. (Of course, if he has come from special pioneer, missionary, circuit or district work he will get his regular vacation for the year.) Members of the Bethel family who have been here from one to four years receive two weeks of vacation (eleven and a half working days); however, the time may not be taken until earned. ~o they may take the first week anytime after March 1, and they are eligible for a second week anytime during the last three months of the service year or thereafter. This two-week vacation time may be split into as many as four periods of time, including the usual convention period. They will always receive a number of days off for the yearly district assembly in addition to their two weeks of vacation for each year. The year runs from September 1 to August 31. Persons at Bethel for more than four years also get eleven and a half days of vacation a year, but may make as many splits of their earned vacation period during the year as they want. It is understood that vacations are granted only when they are earned. They can be taken a few days at a time, but must always be reported at least a week in advance to the overseer in writing, stating when the individual will be away. Even though a person has earned more vacation time than he is planning to use at one time, it shows his concern for the work being done at Bethel if he reports back to work at the time that he specified in the written vacation notice that he turned in before leaving.
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY 29
Individuals in Bethel service who have served continuously for
fifteen years, whether it be the pioneer, special pioneer,
missionary, circuit or district work or Bethel, may have three
weeks of vacation (seventeen working days) or if they are
forty-five years of age or older they may have three weeks of
vacation each year. Even during the service year when an
individual completes his fifteenth Year of special service or
reaches forty-five years of age, he may take the third week of
vacation at any time following that date.
Persons in Bethel service who have served continuously for
twenty-five years, including pioneer, special pioneer, cir- cuit
or district work, missionary or Bethel, may have four weeks
(twenty-three working days) of vacation, or if they are
sixty-five years of age or older they may have four weeks of
vacation each year. Even during the service year when an
individual completes his twenty-fifth year of special service or
reaches sixty-five years of age, he may take the fourth week of
vacation at any time following that date.
As stated above, after four years they may split their vacation
time any way they wish, but the vacation time must be earned. If
someone wishes to take one half day off on
Saturday as part of one's vacation or one and one half days, then
that one will so report it in writing to the overseer, who will
keep the records accurately.
It is understood that those entitled to two weeks of vacation may
request in writing eleven and a half days working time off per
year. Those with three weeks of vacation time will be allowed
seventeen days of working
time off. Those who have four weeks of vacation time will have
twenty-three days of working time off. Saturday after noon and
Sunday are not considered working days.
Sharing Vacation Time: Married persons may not have been in the
service the same length of time. One mate may have more vacation
time due than the other. A married person is permitted to share
his vacation time with his mate if he wishes to do so. In other
words, if the man has three weeks' vacation due him and the man's
wife only two weeks, he may give his wife half of the third week,
and notation of this would be made by the branch office.
Members of the Bethel family may accumulate vacation time if they
wish to take a longer period of time at a later date. For
example, if they want to save a week's vacation from one year to
the next, that is agreeable, but you can- not borrow from a
future period and try to use it ahead of time. The only exception
to borrowing time would be an international convention arranged
by the Society, where the Society arranges for the travel and
notice is given to the whole family that they may borrow vacation
time in
30 DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
advance. But then the matter will be definitely stated at that
time. So please do not try to borrow time. Earn it .and enjoy it!
Leaves of Absence for Gilead Graduates in Bethel Service: Leaves
of absence are provided for some, but not for those in the
forty-eight states of the continental United States, or Canada or
certain persons in Europe. Each one will accumulate two weeks of
leave time for each year of service after he arrived in his
assignment following Gilead graduation. Such leaves of absence
may be taken only after he has been in his foreign assignment for
at least three years. This provision does not apply to any Gilead
graduate in Bethel service who came to Gilead from the country in
which he is now serving. Some of those who have been in Bethel
service for a number of years will have accumulated quite a lot
of leave time, but we would not want any to be away from the
Bethel home for more than a total of ten weeks, whether that
would be vacation time or leave time. Of course, people will not
qualify for leave of absence if they take the three-week or
four-week vacation each year. It seems reasonable that anyone
from another country who requested the privilege of working at
the Bethel home in Canada or the United States mainland would
take his vacations the same as anyone else in the Bethel family,
some of whom have to travel long distances to get to their home.
In Europe the distances are not so great between countries, so
for those there we would say that a Gilead graduate assigned to a
branch in a country other than the one in which he was working
when he came to Gilead does not get a leave of absence unless his
place of origin is more than 2,000 miles from where he is
assigned in Europe. Brothers working in small branches as
part-time branch overseers will be allowed to take their leave of
absence along with the other missionaries in the country. Bethel
family members who are Gilead graduates do not receive allowance
or bonus for the months when they are taking leave of absence.
Emergency or family problems arise in the lives of some
individuals. For example, there may be a death of a close
relative in one's family and one may want to attend the funeral
and help clear up the estate. If more than two days are required,
then time in excess of the two days should be taken away from the
regular vacation time. Individuals should discuss this with the
overseer in charge. Therefore each branch office should have an
accurate writ- ten record showing the number of working days
taken as vacation time or other days off for each person, showing
dates so used and any vacation time remaining.
DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
Persons who apply for Bethel are called only if they say they are
in good health, which information is on their applications. If a
new person's illness becomes chronic and the branch overseer
knows it, then it would be better to send such person home during
his first years at Bethel and not to keep him as a member of the
Bethel family. Individuals who may become ill during their
vacation time are not entitled to another vacation to replace the
time that was specified in their written vacation notice.
If any member of the Bethel family who is here less than five
years becomes ill and is ill for more than twenty working days,
all of the days following the twentieth work- ing day of illness
will be deducted from his vacation time. This applies only for
the first five years of Bethel service. After that it no longer
applies.
All members of the Bethel family when ill will receive their
monthly allowance.
I want you always to feel free to approach any of the overseers
in charge. Don't be afraid of them; they are your brothers.
Sometimes you may think: "Oh, but they are too busy to talk
to me"; but don't feel that way about it. They are busy,
yes, but never too busy to help you out. We are here to help you
who have come here to help us to get the work done; so we will
show you what we want you to do and we feel sure that you will
put forth every effort, by Jehovah's undeserved kindness, to do
it the way we show you. If you have a problem, come to us. Let's
keep in mind that the overseer in charge is responsible before
Jehovah and to the organization for the things that are done, so
cooperate with him. If you have suggestions, we are willing to
listen to them, but if after you have made your suggestion we
feel we should not follow it and still think our way is better,
then do it in the way the Society suggests. You will be happier
in the long run. It may try your patience, but just think of the
patience that God has shown toward each one of us, and then work
on this Christian quality. Jas. 1:4; 5: 8.
Since those of us at Bethel are imperfect like the rest of our
brothers, mistakes are going to be made and once in a while a
person may violate the good principles on which the home
operates. It might happen that you will be re- proved; but when
you are, keep in mind the counsel at Proverbs 27:5, 6:
"Better is a revealed reproof than a con- cealed love. The
wounds inflicted by a lover are faithful, but the kisses of a
hater are things to be entreated." Then again, the scripture
points out: "Should the righteous one
32 DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY
strike me, it would be a loving-kindness; and should he re- prove
me, it would be oil upon the head, which my head would not want
to refuse."Ps. 141:5. We know that "the reproofs of
discipline are the way of life." (Prov. 6:23) God is going
to reprove us when we do something wrong. But as we are making
our minds over, studying God's Word, living in the family routine
and en- joying everything that Jehovah has provided for U8 in
this home, it will bring us great joy. If we follow Jehovah's
instructions we shall be happy, just as it is set forth in Micah
6:8: "He has told you, O earthling man, what is good. And
what is Jehovah asking back from you but to exercise justice and
to love kindness and to be modest in walking with your God?"
Of course, you are following this instruction, and that is why
you are here. That is why Jehovah's organi- zation invited you to
Bethel. You can show your love for Jehovah by serving faithfully
here at Bethel. You will have a good feeling knowing that the
course of action you are taking leads to eternal life in the new
order. "God gave us not a spirit of cowardice, but that of
power and of love and of soundness of mind." (2 Tim. 1:7) It
is our hope that everyone who has come to Bethel will keep in
mind Jehovah's principles of truth and righteous- ness. Always
"trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon
your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and
he himself will make your paths straight. Do not become wise in
your own eyes. Fear Je- hovah and turn away from bad."Prov.
3:~7. I am very glad you came here and so are the overseers with
whom you are working. Make it your home. Keep on in right living
here and be trained for living forever under God's kingdom. Be
assured of my love for you, and may Jehovah bless you richly.
Your brother and fellow servant,
N. H. Knorr President
WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANLA
WATCHTOWER BLIBLE AND TRACT S0CIETY OF NEW YORK, INC.
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASOCCIATION