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A Suicide Prevented at the Sky Tower

A Suicide Prevented at the Sky Tower

Graham Browne, an 80-year-old Witness of Jehovah, helped to convince a mentally disturbed man not to jump from the 328-meter (1,076 ft) Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand. “When the man asked to speak to one of Jehovah’s Witnesses,” said Graham, “the police called me to ask if I would help.

“The Sky Tower staff fitted me with a safety harness and secured my Bible with a long cord. The police then led me to the outside viewing platform, 192 meters (630 ft) above the ground. A freezing wind gusted around the tower. The man who was threatening to jump sat a short distance away from me on a narrow walkway, his legs dangling into space.

“I called out that I was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and wanted to help. Then, after uttering a silent prayer, I opened my Bible and started to speak.

“I talked about the sanctity of life, the subject of a talk that I had recently given at our local Kingdom Hall.

“‘God views you as precious,’ I said, ‘and he has given you a wonderful gift​—life. Why not show him that you treasure that gift? Please come behind the safety fence.’

“I also read several Bible texts, including John 3:​16, which states: ‘For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.’

“‘So God loves you and wants you to live,’ I told him.

“At first, the man didn’t seem to be paying attention. So I silently prayed that Jehovah help me to get through to him. Finally, he slowly got up and edged closer. He was highly agitated.

“‘Jehovah’s Witnesses recently came to my home, but I sent them away,’ he said. ‘I feel really bad about that. Will you please forgive me?’

“‘Why, even some of us did that before we became Witnesses,’ I assured him. ‘You can be sure that Jehovah will forgive you.’

“‘Thank you,’ he replied, ‘that’s a great load off my mind.’

“‘You know, I’m really scared for you,’ I continued. ‘I’m wearing a safety harness, but if you slip, your precious life will be lost. That would make Jehovah so sad. So please come behind the safety fence.’

“His demeanor visibly changed. ‘OK,’ he meekly replied. ‘I’ll come in.’

“He stepped onto the viewing platform, and the police quickly led him to safety. We had been talking for about an hour.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses genuinely care about people, especially about those who are distressed. Throughout the world they use the Scriptures to share hope and comfort, assuring people that God truly cares.