The Testimony of W. F. Salter

P. O. Box 404,  
Toronto, Canada,
August 10, 1937.

To my Brethren in Grace Glorious:

Having by God's loving kindness recently had my eyes opened in a measure, and since by an ever increasing measure, to the glories of truths of universal reconciliation, Brother Knoch has kindly invited me to make a statement and that I am pleased to do.

For some twenty-eight years I was associated with the I. B. S. A. and during nineteen years thereof served as General Manager for Canada and Newfoundland, as well as serving as an associate speaker and organizer with Judge Rutherford, travelling with him throughout Europe and the American Continent time and time again. Needless to say I firmly believed in general the teachings of that organization and in intense blindness believed that the organization was of God.

A short time ago, in the Lord's providence, there came to a head a conspiracy to remove me from my position, of which conspiracy I was in complete ignorance. In this the President of the organization joined hands and in his mind made his decision to remove me from office and prepared another to take my place. He then came to Canada bringing this brother with him and held a mock trial at which he laid before me certain charges that when boiled down meant I was not a "yes-man," and other equally absurd accusations that no one would make except one of an unsound mind. The whole frameup was so manifest that I declined to say a word in my own defense and inasmuch as I refused to resign, still blindly (my, how blindly!) believing the Society to be God's organization, he removed me from office.

In view of my belief it all came as a great shock to me and I was greatly bewildered as to what it all meant, when the Lord graciously had placed in my hands an article (I am prone to think it was written by our beloved Brother Robison but do not know) proving our Lord had not returned and thus making null and void all the so-called spiritual teachings of the I.B.S.A. based upon the false premise that our Lord had returned. Subsequently I was disfellowshipped without a hearing at the suggestion of the Society by many ecclesias throughout Canada for trying to enlighten my brethren concerning the question.

Thereafter the Lord had placed in my hands an article entitled "A Reply to Pastor Russell on the Reconciliation of All," and when I read that there took place within me, as I wrote Brother Knoch, an "earthquake such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake and so great." Since then I have had the unspeakable blessing of reading "God's Eonian Purpose," "The Mystery of the Gospel," and other publications, including many copies of the wonderful little magazine "Unsearchable Riches," and as a consequence am overflowing with joy abounding. Truly our loving Father in Heaven has been gracious beyond measure and has opened the windows of heaven and showered forth upon me blessings I am unable to contain, blessings that by His grace must overflow to those I am privileged to contact with from time to time.

Kindly accept this letter as an expression of my appreciation of the many kind letters I have received from the friends, which are so great in number that I have found it impossible to acknowledge them all personally.

I extend to you one and all my love and greeting in the Lord and in particular to my former associates in the I.B.S.A. who are now rejoicing in grace glorious and the rich blessings of universal reconciliation truths. By grace,

Your brother in Christ,

W. F. Salter