Over the years, Circuit Servants and then Circuit Overseers came and went. I can only recall a handfull because the rest were unimpressive or I was not real active during the visit of some. Most COs that I recall were humdrum with perhaps some single interesting feature or personality quirk. They all had irritating qualities and held a poor view of the average JW. But there was one CO who impressed me in a positive way, and in some ways, I wondered if he might be one who would ever leave the organization. I will reveal his name, because even his name was intersting.
This CO had been a JW before World War II. During that war, he was incarcerated in federal prison for refusing to submit to the draft. His prison stories and experiences are unique and reveal that he, unlike many JWs learned something about life, and developed an attitude that is reflective of a person with integrity.
He arrives at our Hall for his visit. The CO was a normal in his CO routine, meetings briefly with the PO and myself, setting up his trailer outside the Kingdom Hall, and arranging for Field Service, meeting parts, meals, shepherding visits, and the like.
But, right away I was surprised to learn that he and his wife had no particular meal needs. Every other Co and their wife I have met have always had some picky concern with food, and it goes something like this: Can't have mayonaise, can't have lunchmeat, can't have cheese, only drinks water, must stay away from this, that, and the other. Okay, I am cool when it comes to not eating certain foods, but it seems like the Society always manages to appoint men to CO that can't eat anything. Or after becoming a CO their appetite gets ruined. But this CO had no special request ... he was a normal human being! Yippie!
During his first meeting with me as SEC: He did request the accounts records and Pub Record File Cards as expected, but he did not make the usual nasty remarks that most COs make. Normally, the CO will keep these records than give them back at the main meeting with the whole body of Elders. Instead, he briefly reviewed the accounts, and said they looked well maintained, and handed them back. He then glanced at a few Pub Cards, and handed the box back. He said that he wanted me to note the average hours of the men would would be appointed as Elders or MSs. He handed the box back with the comment that it looks like everyone is getting some time in and that we must be doing a good job as Elders.
Meeting with the Elders During this meeting, the time came around for recommending appointments. We got to one brother who had moved in, and with him was a glowing letter from his previous congregation. Before I could read the letter, one of the Elders objected to the brother because his wife was no longer a regular Publisher. It was then the CO first showed signs of consternation.
He asked the Elder what the brother's wife had to do with being a mature and qualified Christian. The Elder said that since she is a JW, that his taking the lead would show in the family, and demonstrate his example as a family man. The CO then tossed the Bible into the Elder's lap and said , "Show me, I'm from Missouri." The Elder said, 'What?' The Co said, "Don't play dumb, You know what I mean. Show me from the Bible where it says that an Elder's wife must be active door to door in order to get appointed."
The Elder hummned and hawed, and said that he thought sure that the Society has said that an Elder's wife would reflect his role as a spiritually mature man, and his children as well. He must be an example to other families if he is to take the lead.
The CO pointed out that the Society may well have 'suggested' something along those lines in a narrow context, but that the governing criteria is the Bible. He said by that Elder's logic, then if a congregation has any irregular or inactive Pubs, then that is a reflection on the whole body of Elders, and that would mean he should remove every one of us. He said that we need to stop treating the Society like a law office, and stand up and be Christians who abide by the Bible.
While I am in a different place in my mental and emotional evolution now, I can say that the COs words about the Bible warmed my heart at the time, and made me feel he was a unique individual toughened by his prison experience, and more independent than maybe the Society would like to have.
A personal conversation with the CO. The night before the CO was to leave our congregation, I had a need to stop by and visit with him. I was conducting a counseling session with some JW men who were alcoholics. I did this as an act of Shepherding, and with the approval of our other Elders. It was not comfortable for these men to attend the 'worldly' AA meetings, so having the JW equivalent was a godsend to them. It incvolved about ten men from 3 different congregations. We met each week and built one another up, and each man was able to stop drinking.
Unfortunately, the Elders from our sister congregation (we were West and they were East) voiced complaint to me and then the Co while he was visiting. They said that we should not be shepherding men who live in their territory (this was a political move to get even with us for another issue) and they said that such meetings were outside the approved meeting arrangements by the Society. So, I wqas visiting the Co at his trailer to discuss this unique shepherding program.
The CO told me that he had no problem, and in fact, felt that this was an excellent example of how mature men reach out to shepherd as Elder. He said that if the program is helping, then keep it up. But he went on to say, "In this life, when you see that something is right, do it. Stand up, be counted, and don't be afraid to go against the grain. Even if you have to be the odd man out among the Elders, take a stand. And if an issue is serious enough be willing to be disfellowshipped, if necessary, to stnad by what is right and what is godly. Humans come and go, men and organizations come and go, but you only get one chance to live this life, and it pays to be able to sleep well at night."
He went on to say that he would tell the other body of Elders to mind their own business, and instead they should copy the example we set in being creative and willing to see a need and meet it. he said that they sounded like a bunch of sissy Pharisees.
Gawd!, I loved that man. Yes, we were all active and fully JW in our committment. But, somehow there was more to this CO that matched my own sense of individuality. His prison years standing up for what he believed must have taught him something that went beyond what the Society is, and gave him a sense of personal integrity, a sense of history, and a sense of how short this life is and the importance of being true to oneself. He had the balls to pass this view and sensibility along to others and to me. [He was the only CO who was never bothered by my being of the Anointed]
This CO was well into his golden years when I met him. He likely retired many years ago, and I suspect that he may have passed away by now. He had other good qualities and fun ways that I don't have time to highlight here. But, he was an inspiration to me, not only in my service as an Elder, but he reminded me of the strong values I was raised with ... and he rekindled in me the fire, the sense of integrity that later on allowed me to take my first steps to leave the Watch Tower organization.
Who is this unique CO? Like most COs, I am sure he served all over the USA. I believe that he eventually retired to a congregation in northern California, around the Napa or Sonoma wine country valleys. In case you know him, his name is Harry Snow. I hope that he was not a jerk to others, and that my recollection of him was something of an enigma. But, my guess is that if you knew Harry, you likely had a good experience with him. If the Society could appoint more men of personal integrity and rugged individualism as Harry, who valued the Bible above the Society itself, then they would have half a chance of being a worthwhile religion. Thanks to Harry Snow for being one of those decent JWs who contributed something of real value to my life, and helped me become free of the Iron Tower. - Amazing