Read God's Word Sign

[mserskine]

Does anyone know in what year the sign READ GOD'S WORD THE BIBLE DAILY was put up on the buildings at Brooklyn Bethel? I was wanting to use it in my talk tonight.

Edited November 26, 2013 by mserskine

[trottigy]

2000 March 15 page 32 Watchtower:

 

 

What She Misses About New York City

 

THE sign seen here has been prominently displayed on one of the Watchtower Society’s factory buildings in Brooklyn, New York, since the 1950’s. Commuters, tourists, and others who pass by are reminded to read the Bible daily. The following letter, received from a young Witness girl, shows the effectiveness of this reminder.

 

“I was discussing with a classmate of mine what I wanted to do when I got out of high school. I started talking about Bethel, the headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and she got very excited. She told me that she had lived in New York City all her life. Her family was not very religious, but every morning when she looked out the window, there was a sign that said ‘Read God’s Word the Holy Bible Daily.’ So every day she read her Bible before she left to go to school.

 

“After moving out of the city, she said that the thing she misses about New York City is that when she wakes up, she no longer sees the reminder to read her Bible. But because of the sign on the Watchtower building, Bible reading has become a habit, so she continues to read the Bible daily!”

 

What could be a better way to start the day than by reading a portion of God’s Word! In so doing, you will no doubt come to appreciate the apostle Paul’s words: “The holy writings . . . are able to make you wise for salvation through the faith in connection with Christ Jesus.”—2 Timothy 3:15-17.

 

[trottigy]

I also found the life story of the person who painted it:

 

w96 April 1

 

 

AS TOLD BY DAVID LUNSTRUM

My brother Elwood and I were over 30 feet [9 m] in the air, painting a new sign on the Watchtower factory building. More than 40 years later, it is still there, urging: “READ GOD’S WORD THE HOLY BIBLE DAILY.” Each week, thousands of people see this sign as they cross the famous Brooklyn Bridge.

 

And:

 

Elwood joined me at Bethel in 1944, bringing great joy to my heart. He was less than five years old when I left home. As noted earlier, we worked together painting that sign on the factory building, “Read God’s Word the Holy Bible Daily.” I have often wondered how many people who have seen that sign over the years have been encouraged to read their Bible.

 

So, after '44 but before '56 when he left Bethel.

Edited November 26, 2013 by trottigy

[mserskine]

Thanks