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Faith on the March
After having his bible questions answered through the bible, MacMillan realized that it was the truth. For the next 66 years he was in the fore front of seeing the truth being spread throughout the world, to what has become known in over 235 lands, with over 6 million witnesses to date.
He served with three of the presidents, Russell, Rutherford, and Knorr. He relates the good times and also the bad times of the early history of the modern day Jehovah Witnesses. From being put into jail with 7 others, and going through two world wars, he relates honestly to the readers what the Jehovah Witnesses went throughout to tell the truth of the Bible.
He served with three of the presidents, Russell, Rutherford, and Knorr. He relates the good times and also the bad times of the early history of the modern day Jehovah Witnesses. From being put into jail with 7 others, and going through two world wars, he relates honestly to the readers what the Jehovah Witnesses went throughout to tell the truth of the Bible.
242 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1957
37 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 22, 2013
An encouraging first person account of the beginnings of our spiritual heritage as Jehovah's Witnesses. Very faith strengthening to read about loyal integrity keepers in the face of opposition. Highly recommend!
August 28, 2022
Such a brilliant recounting of Brother Macmillans experience in the truth with such ones as Russel, Rutherford and Knorr. It's so nice to hear a first person account of this time and get to know the personalities behind the organisation and what they all went through, through the years.
Even though, when this was written there were only still 100s of 1000s of witnesses, not the millions we see today... It's incredible how close to the same "feel" of the organisation there is. The desire for it to be a family and share truth.
One of my favourite quotes (though there are so many):
"I’ve seen things grow, I’ve seen the understanding of things clear up, I’ve gone through the ups and downs of this religious movement. Yet I am holding on, and that with more zest than ever before. More than ever I am convinced that it is right, that it has the truth, that it is giving a right lead to all the people of good will throughout the earth."
Would recommend everyone to read this.
So brilliant!
Even though, when this was written there were only still 100s of 1000s of witnesses, not the millions we see today... It's incredible how close to the same "feel" of the organisation there is. The desire for it to be a family and share truth.
One of my favourite quotes (though there are so many):
"I’ve seen things grow, I’ve seen the understanding of things clear up, I’ve gone through the ups and downs of this religious movement. Yet I am holding on, and that with more zest than ever before. More than ever I am convinced that it is right, that it has the truth, that it is giving a right lead to all the people of good will throughout the earth."
Would recommend everyone to read this.
So brilliant!
January 23, 2019
A clear and concise adjunct to spiritual study. I enjoyed reading a first-hand account of the origin of the organization, and personal tribulations that Brother Macmillan encountered. It was enjoyable to read and well-written. When I felt like as if I needed some spiritual encouragement from a kind friend, I'd open the book and be contented with the results.
I would highly recommend this book as a baptism gift, or to someone who is maybe struggling a bit spiritually. It was extremely faith bolstering to read a personal memoir of someone who has been through such trying tribulations. The book strengthened me in many ways, led to further questioning and research, and comforted me. An essential addition to any spiritual library.
I would highly recommend this book as a baptism gift, or to someone who is maybe struggling a bit spiritually. It was extremely faith bolstering to read a personal memoir of someone who has been through such trying tribulations. The book strengthened me in many ways, led to further questioning and research, and comforted me. An essential addition to any spiritual library.
January 26, 2022
An essential read for anyone who is a Jehovah’s Witness, or anyone who is curious on how the organization got its start here in the US. It was so faith-strengthening to me. Absolutely loved Macmillan’s warm, affable writing yet convincing arguments.
June 3, 2020
Opening lines: ‘I am a white-haired old man, in my eightieth year of life, as I begin to tell you these facts.’
August 14, 2021
Excellent review of the history of Jehovah's Witnesses through the eye of Brother McMillan
November 7, 2021
What a beautiful record of faith recorded in this book. Such faith is worth imitating. His life was a real credit to our creator.
November 13, 2022
Essential and faith strengthening
January 6, 2023
This is a wonderful book that gives a view of the early history of Jehovah's Witnesses.
January 3, 2020
Personal accounts from prominent members of the Jehovah's Witness organization are scarce if existent at all, so reading this autobiography from A.H. Macmillan, one of the earliest members of the movement, is a must for anybody slightly interested in this religion in particular or in the collective of North American movements emerging from the Second Great Awakening period.
The author recounts the story of the religion from its chaotic and somewhat disorganized beginnings in Pennsylvania until the 1950s, when it started to become the well-oiled worldwide machine ruled with an iron fist from New York that is today. Macmillan recalls many court victories for the movement, emphasizing its ever-litigious nature, and most importantly (especially for skeptics), it gives a first-person journey to the highly religious mind.
The author's arguments as to how he became convinced that he had found the "truth" present no innovation when compared to the personal accounts of members of other religions: a multitude of fallacious comments combined with personal preference, lack of critical thinking and a dose of narcissism. This was, of course, expected and did not hamper my enjoyment of the book: if anything, it provided a fascinating view to the dangers of confirmation bias that we all suffer from, to a degree.
Even though the author did not provide much information about Watchtower history that I was not already familiar with, it did include a great insight into the modus operandi of this movement whenever their predictions are not realized, which is to shift the blame to the individual members. As an example, the author admits that he made some controversial remarks during his sermons regarding the doctrine surrounding 1914. He never concedes, however, that those remarks could have been fueled by the inaccurate writings of C.T. Russell, president of the organization at the time and originator of the 1914 doctrine in the first place.
Similarly, the author states on another occasion that while visiting some young Jehovah's Witness men in prison that refused to be vaccinated on religious grounds, he convinced them of the futility of their cause and even managed to get them to write an apology for inconveniences caused. Again, Macmillan implies that the young men, and not the leaders of the organization, were the ones misinterpreting things, despite years of articles demonizing vaccines published by Watchtower on their journal The Golden Age (the organization stopped condemning vaccinations in the 1940s, however, so it could be that the anecdote explained by the author was due to the young Jehovah's Witness men not being up to date with the new doctrine; since no dates are mentioned by the author for this situation, I can't confirm if that was the case).
In summary, the book is interesting for those invested in the subject; it is well written, easy to read and, while it may present a way too idealized version of the religion's history, it does present an accurate picture of the mindset of those who helped build it.
Unfortunately, I was misinformed and I was expecting a personal account, and that, I did not encounter. There are almost no details about the author's personal life and thoughts. His family life, for example, is barely mentioned, and the last two chapters of the book are just a product of propaganda aiming to convert the reader to the Jehovah's Witness religion by using a wave of simplistic arguments that could only appeal to someone already subscribed to the faith. This left me with a bittersweet taste and also slightly denied the book of any previous efforts to appear real, humane or sincere.
The author recounts the story of the religion from its chaotic and somewhat disorganized beginnings in Pennsylvania until the 1950s, when it started to become the well-oiled worldwide machine ruled with an iron fist from New York that is today. Macmillan recalls many court victories for the movement, emphasizing its ever-litigious nature, and most importantly (especially for skeptics), it gives a first-person journey to the highly religious mind.
The author's arguments as to how he became convinced that he had found the "truth" present no innovation when compared to the personal accounts of members of other religions: a multitude of fallacious comments combined with personal preference, lack of critical thinking and a dose of narcissism. This was, of course, expected and did not hamper my enjoyment of the book: if anything, it provided a fascinating view to the dangers of confirmation bias that we all suffer from, to a degree.
Even though the author did not provide much information about Watchtower history that I was not already familiar with, it did include a great insight into the modus operandi of this movement whenever their predictions are not realized, which is to shift the blame to the individual members. As an example, the author admits that he made some controversial remarks during his sermons regarding the doctrine surrounding 1914. He never concedes, however, that those remarks could have been fueled by the inaccurate writings of C.T. Russell, president of the organization at the time and originator of the 1914 doctrine in the first place.
Similarly, the author states on another occasion that while visiting some young Jehovah's Witness men in prison that refused to be vaccinated on religious grounds, he convinced them of the futility of their cause and even managed to get them to write an apology for inconveniences caused. Again, Macmillan implies that the young men, and not the leaders of the organization, were the ones misinterpreting things, despite years of articles demonizing vaccines published by Watchtower on their journal The Golden Age (the organization stopped condemning vaccinations in the 1940s, however, so it could be that the anecdote explained by the author was due to the young Jehovah's Witness men not being up to date with the new doctrine; since no dates are mentioned by the author for this situation, I can't confirm if that was the case).
In summary, the book is interesting for those invested in the subject; it is well written, easy to read and, while it may present a way too idealized version of the religion's history, it does present an accurate picture of the mindset of those who helped build it.
Unfortunately, I was misinformed and I was expecting a personal account, and that, I did not encounter. There are almost no details about the author's personal life and thoughts. His family life, for example, is barely mentioned, and the last two chapters of the book are just a product of propaganda aiming to convert the reader to the Jehovah's Witness religion by using a wave of simplistic arguments that could only appeal to someone already subscribed to the faith. This left me with a bittersweet taste and also slightly denied the book of any previous efforts to appear real, humane or sincere.
August 21, 2024
This has been my all time favorite read. The growth of The Worldwide Organization of Jehovah's Witnesses, The Order within, its challenges and the completion of modern day prophecy from brother MacMillans point of view. His delivery is riveting, true and honest as an account of the events of our early Organization. This book is available in all Bethel Libraries and with good reason; reading this will help you understand and appreciate not only the Earthly part of The Organization, but you will also be left with a far greater understanding of how closely it works with the Heavenly part of The Organization.
January 11, 2013
Some insightful behind the scenes moments of JW history, but too far in between them.
December 28, 2023
This is the story of A.H. Macmillan and his life as a Jehovah's witness. A very fascinating story to hear from the inside, especially you already know the broad strokes.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews