HOW TO CLOSE UP A HOME!                   DO 125A                  11/71
--Footnote to "Persecution", No.125

         1. HERE ARE A FEW TIPS ON "HOW TO CLOSE UP A HOME" (WHEN FLEEING PERSECUTION): First of all, don't NOTIFY THE ENEMY that you are leaving (so he can strike you before you go) or where you are going (so he can follow & hit you THERE)! If there are very many of you, DON'T ALL LEAVE AT ONCE, but pull out in small teams in various directions & at different times if possible; otherwise you're sure to draw attention to your exit. MAKE SURE EACH TEAM KNOWS WHERE IT'S GOING, HAS ADDRESSES, PHONE NUMBERS & INSTRUCTIONS how to keep in touch etc. DISPOSE of what GOODS & FURNITURE you may not be able to take with you, leaving the LAST TEAM TO BRING THE REMAINDER & close up shop.
         2. BE SURE YOU DON'T TAKE ANYTHING WITH YOU THAT DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU & LEAVE THE PLACE CLEAN & IN GOOD CONDITION. Don't leave a bad reputation. Provide all things honest toward them that are without, that the ministry be not blamed, so they won't be able to say, "They left the place in a wreck, stole the furniture & didn't pay their bills", as was the case with one Home over which we lost a very good king & friend & which he has used to reproach us with ever since.
         3. CLOSE & LOCK THE HOUSE UP TO PREVENT DAMAGE OR THIEVERY. If anybody asks what you're doing, just tell them you're going on a little witnessing trip. Before leaving the house, however, BE SURE EVERYTHING IS TURNED OFF: Lights, water, gas etc. On your way out of town if at all possible you should PHONE THE VARIOUS UTILITY COMPANIES, including the phone company (if you don't, somebody could make a long distance call on your bill costing you hundreds of dollars) & ask that these services be immediately cut off. If a local call is not possible, at your very earliest opportunity, make a direct station-to-station long distance call! THIS IS URGENT! Or somebody else may use them!
         4. ASK EACH COMPANY TO MAIL YOUR FINAL BILL TO YOUR LOCAL BOX NUMBER: Where you WERE receiving mail in their city, & tell them it will be forwarded to you & you'll pay it by mail as soon as it comes! Be polite & thank them for their services! Don't worry about the deposits. They'll either deduct the bill from the deposit & send you the balance or deduct the deposit from your bill & send you a bill for the balance! Just don't forget ON YOUR WAY OUT OF TOWN to try to call them locally.
         5. AT THIS TIME YOU MUST TRY TO NOTIFY YOUR LANDLORD that you have evacuated the premises, so he can take care of the place in your absence, & since you've turned off the heat, so he can take care of the plumbing, if it's cold weather or it might freeze & cause serious damage. Also TELL HIM YOU'RE DROPPING THE KEYS IN THE MAIL & DON'T FAIL TO DO SO IMMEDIATELY.
         6. AFTER YOU LEAVE TOWN, DROP A FORWARDING NOTICE IN THE MAIL to have all Home mail forwarded to your next address, preferably a box number. NEVER USE A STREET ADDRESS if you can help it, even on your literature. ONLY USE BOX NUMBERS & PHONE NUMBERS where necessary. Your former post office may be willing to forward all mail addressed to your box at your new address.
         7. DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR MAILING LIST OF FRIENDS WITH YOU, so you can notify them all as soon as possible of your departure, its reasons & your new whereabouts, if necessary.
         8. DON'T GO DOWN TO THE BANK & DRAW OUT ALL YOUR MONEY THE DAY BEFORE leaving or that'll be a dead giveaway of your planned departure, unless you absolutely have to have the money for your trip. IF POSSIBLE, IT IS BETTER TO LEAVE SOME MONEY IN THE BANK & then have it transferred to your new account in the next city, simply by depositing a check for your old balance in your new account. Be sure you know your exact balance &it is usually safer to leave a few dollars in the old account to cover any mistakes or bank charges & maybe enough for the closing bills! Amen?

Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family