Paradise Cafe Discussions - A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

Was The Watchtower Society Chosen By Jesus In 1919?

By
Norman Hovland


As all Jehovah's Witnesses know, but are always totally unable to explain, the Watchtower Society just is "Jehovah's Organization". This claim has been repeated so many times in the Watchtower literature that it has become a "truth". Let us look at the language and phrases used:

"The historical facts show that 1919 was the year when the remnant on earth of the 144,000 Kingdom heirs began to be freed from Great Babylon. In that year the message of God's established kingdom began to be preached from house to house and publicly by Jehovah's Christian witnesses in a fearless way. This preaching of the Kingdom as established in 1914 was in fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy in Matthew 24:14: 'This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations." (Babylon the Great Has Fallen!, 1963, p. 515.)

As usual when there isn't a single shred of any evidence whatsoever, the phrase: "The historical facts show", is used. Of course historical facts show no such thing, if anything they show the opposite, which I shall demonstrate in the following.

"TIME OF INSPECTION BY THE SLAVE'S MASTER
Without a question of doubt, it was a real time for inspection of the Master's "slave" class. All the facts of the case argue that the Master came for the work of inspection at the time. Such a thing was to be expected according to the prophecy of Malachi 3:1-5. Of course, the sectarian churches of Christendom had made a wartime record for themselves, an open record that had a heavy bearing on their claim to be disciples and slaves of Jesus Christ. Could they, by even their latest record down till 1919, prove that they themselves were the composite "faithful and discreet slave" class of the heavenly Lord and Master, Jesus Christ? He as Judge would indicate what his findings were by the way he thereafter dealt with the hundreds of religious sects of Christendom." (God's Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached, 1973, p. 349.)

Again a totally hopeless case of meaningless words with absolutely no real facts to back them up. This is at best sheer fantasy. But let us for a moment take this insane drivel serious, let us investigate the claim from Brooklyn. As we can see above, the churches of Christendom were going to be judged by their "record" previous to 1919. Wouldn't it then be logic to assume that the record, previous to 1919, would also be considered in the case of the Watchtower Society? Of course! So what does the Watchtower Society record show us?

Well, absolutely 100% of their prophecies had failed. Russell's "chronology" with the years 1799, 1874, 1878, 1881 and 1914, was all a thundering fiasco, but they would still be "The Truth" up to 1930. But no doubt the Lord, Jesus Christ, who was carrying out the inspection would have read their absolutely latest "blockbuster" publication, The Finished Mystery, published in 1917. This publication would no doubt have a great impact on which he would choose to be his "faithful and discreet slave class". So could the Watchtower Society "prove that they themselves were the composite 'faithful and discreet slave' class of the heavenly Lord and Master, Jesus Christ?" Yes, indeed, what was the Watchtower Society's record?

Let us take a closer look at some of the "truth's" brought forth by this remarkable book. Jesus no doubt was quite intrigued by the fact that the book claimed that he himself was responsible for it:

"The Lord assumes an interest in and responsibility for the complete series of STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES, the last one of which especially represents the winepress feature (Rev. 14:18-20) ... And I saw (an) ANOTHER angel. -- The Elijah class after the publication of Volume Seven Studies in the Scriptures." (The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 295)

Now let us look at what Jesus was made responsible for. Apparently his alleged "inspection" in 1919, wasn't altogether fair. It looks like he had already made up his mind as early as in 1879!

"8:3. And another angel. -- Not the "voice of the Lord," mentioned in the preceding chapter, but the corporate body -- the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, which Pastor Russell formed to finish his work. This verse shows that, though Pastor Russell has passed beyond the veil, he is still managing every feature of the Harvest work. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is the greatest corporation in the world, because from the time of its organization until now the Lord has used it as His channel through which to make known the Glad Tidings." (The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 144)

Here we get some really astonishing and sensational information. First of all it is made quite clear that the Lord (Jesus) had used the Watchtower Society as his channel "from the time of its organization" which was in 1879! So why go through the motion of staging a mock inspection in 1919? But there is another very interesting piece of information here too. Pastor Russell was still in charge of the "harvest work" even though he was dead! Yikes! And I thought Jehovah's Witnesses abhorred spiritism. Well, let us move on and feast our eyes on the wealth of "truth", coming straight from the "Lord". As all Jehovah's Witnesses are familiar with, the Revelation speaks about the "great crowd" which number nobody could count. Oh yeah? The Watchtower Society of course KNEW the number of the great crowd, which was called "company" back then:

"The number -- of the Great Company will apparently exceed one hundred millions. Num. 4:46-48 and Ex. 28:1 indicate but one priest to each 2,860 Levites, which would make the number of the Great Company approximate 411,840,000." (The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 103)

But it doesn't end here. Jesus, who was made responsible for this "masterpiece" also, had more "truths" to reveal. Every self respecting Jehovah's Witnesses today knows who the angel Michael and his angels really are. But the Finished Mystery told the faithful the truth:

"12:7. And there was war in heaven. -- Between the two ecclesiastical powers, Pagan Rome and Papal Rome.

Michael. -- "Who as God," the Pope. -- B275; C62.

And his angels. -- The Bishops. The following is the reply given in the Catholic catechism to the question, "Who are the successors of the Apostles?" Ans. "The bishops who are rightly consecrated, and are in communion with the head of the Church, the Pope."

(Fought against) TO WAR WITH the dragon. -- Attempted to get the temporal power away from the civil rulers. -- Rev. 2:12.

And the dragon. -- Imperial Rome. -- B288; Rev. 12:3; 20:2.

Fought and his angels. -- Did everything possible to circumscribe the growing power of the papacy, but all in vain. -- Rev. 2:12." (The Finished Mystery, 1917, pp. 188, 189)

Then we have Job -- the first railroad man.

Jesus must have taken great pride (considering he was "responsible" for this work) in the following explanation of Job 40:15 -- 41:34:

"Job also describes the steam engine -- stationary, railway and marine. The following is a corrected translation of Job 40:15 to 41:34, with comments thereon from the pen of one of Pastor Russell's followers: "Behold now one with great heat (the stationary steam engine), which l have made to be with thee; he will consume fodder (peat, wood, coal) as do cattle. Behold now his strength is in his loins (boiler plates), and his power is within the parts bent in a circle (boiler shell) of his belly. His tail (smoke stack -- opposite the feeding end) will set upright like a cedar; the couplings of his leaping parts (connecting rods, pitmans) will be clamped together. His bones are tubes of copper; his solid bones (grate bars) are as hammered-out bars of iron. He is the greatest of the ways of power. He that made him (the Lord) can make His sword (Word) to approach unto (reveal) him. (Isa. 26:20, 21.) He shall rest under thin shelter (steam jackets) within a covering of fibrous reeds (jute) and clay (mortar). The willows of the valley (the trees overhead) will enclose him around about. Behold (as a pumping engine) he will drink up an overflowing river without much exertion; he will cause the people to trust (that their cellars will keep dry), though a Jordan should rush forth over its border. He will gather it up in his fountains by means of traps and with a perforated nozzle. "Thou wilt lengthen out leviathan (the locomotive) with a hook (automatic coupler) or with a snare (coupling pin) which thou wilt cause his tongue (coupling-link) to drop down. Wilt thou not place a ring (piston) in his nostrils (cylinders) or pierce through his cheeks (Piston ends) with a staff (piston-rod)? Will he make repeated supplication unto thee, (to get off the track)? Or will he utter soft-tones unto thee (when he screeches; with the whistle)?" (The Finished Mystery, 1917, pp. 84, 85)

I mean, how could Jesus resist this evidence when considering who should be his "channel" on earth? But there were other even more compelling "facts" that would weight heavily on the scale in favor of the Watchtower Society. Think about their 100% failure rate in the past, but now Jesus during his inspection no doubt also would have noticed the much published lecture "Millions of people now living will never die", held in 1918. Where Rutherford stated:

"Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection." (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p. 89.)

Jesus was of course being responsible for all of this literature, he also knew the facts about all of this. But apparently he and the Watchtower Society took another stab at a date for the end, and who can argue against this accurate and very upbuilding explanation of the Holy Scriptures as we can behold here:

"No doubt Satan believed the Millennial Kingdom was due to be set-up in 1915... Be that as it may, there is evidence that the establishment of the Kingdom in Palestine will probably be in 1925, ten years later than we once calculated. The 70 jubilees, reckoned as 50 years each, expire October 1925. (B 186.) Gen. 15:1-16:3, read connectedly, indicates that Abraham's vision as to when he would receive the Kingdom was not granted until ten years after the Covenant was made, or 2035 B.C. The ages of the animals offered aggregated eleven years, which, applied prophetically, on the scale of a year for a day, equal 3960 years, the length of time from the date of the visions to A.D. 1925 (Z.'07-79). It seems conclusive that the hour of Nominal Zion's travail is fixed for the Passover of 1918. (See Rev. 3:14.) That will be 7 years prior to 1925. At that time there is every reason to believe the fallen angels will invade the minds of many of the Nominal Church people driving them to exceedingly unwise conduct and leading to their destruction at the hands of the enraged masses, who will later be dragged to the same fate .... After the demons, have been turned loose on the swine class, we shall see what happens. (Matt. 7:6; 8:31-34.) Those now fearful that they might learn something will be terror-stricken then for a different reason." (The Finished Mystery, 1917, p. 128.)

What a powerful and convincing track record the Watchtower Society had! How could Jesus have done anything else but the obvious, he had to reject the foul, false sects of Christianity and choose this beacon of truth and integrity, the Watchtower Society, as his "channel of communication". And what does the record show? Well, according to the Watchtower claims he poured his spirit out on them to such an extent that they nearly choked. So let us see what influence "Jehovah's Spirit" had on them. What did they do, now that they had been chosen, and had gotten this incredible amount of spirit?

The Watchtower Society has up to this day continued to paint their history as rosy as possible. Knowing full well what kind of hopeless tripe, drivel and totally false claims were made in the Watchtower literature at the time, we can here see some examples of the incredibly dishonest way Brooklyn treat their history:

"There would, however, be a further application of Joel 2:28-32. Indeed, this prophecy has had remarkable fulfillment since September 1919. At that time a memorable convention of Jehovah's people was held in Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A. God's spirit was clearly manifest, and his anointed servants were stimulated to embark on the global witnessing campaign that extends into the present day." (Watchtower, May 1, 1992, p. 13.)

"Particularly in 1919 and 1922 were there modern outpourings of Jehovah's spirit, especially in connection with the two conventions of Jehovah's dedicated people at Cedar Point, Ohio." (Watchtower, June 1, 1981, p. 30.)

"But Jehovah raised them up by his spirit and word of truth. Shortly thereafter, at their 1922 convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, they loyally determined to advertise the King and Kingdom. Jehovah has been guiding them since then, so that his name and kingdom have become known worldwide." (Watchtower, December 15, 1980, p. 19.)

As you can all see, there is a lot of song and dance about these "memorable" conventions in Cedar Point in 1919 and 1922. It is also worth noticing that any mention of what this much praised advertising was all about, is surgically avoided. What then, was the message the "spirit" wanted "Advertised" in 1922? Well, it was the "Millions Campaign" which started in 1920. It was this message:

"The period must end in 1925. The type ending, the antitype must begin; and therefore 1925 is definitely fixed in the scriptures. Every thinking person can see that a great climax is at hand. The Scriptures clearly indicate that the climax is the fall of Satan's empire and the full establishment of the Messianic kingdom. This climax being reached by 1925, and that marking the beginning of the fulfillment of the long promised blessings of life to the people, millions now living on earth will be living then and those who obey the righteous laws of the new arrangement will live forever. Therefore it can be confidently said at this time that millions now living will never die." (Golden Age, Jan. 4, 1922, p. 217.)

"We have no doubt whatever in regard to the chronology relating to the dates of 1874, 1914, 1918, and 1925. It was on this line of reckoning that the dates 1874, 1914, and 1918 were located; and the Lord has placed the stamp of his seal upon 1914 and 1918 beyond any possibility of erasure. What further evidence do we need? Using this same measuring line.... it is an easy matter to locate 1925, probably in the fall, for the beginning of the antitypical jubilee. There can be no more question about 1925 than there was about 1914." (Watchtower, May 15, 1922, p. 150.)

"It is on the basis of such and so many correspondencies -- in accordance with the soundest laws known to science -- that we affirm that, Scripturally, scientifically, and historically, present-truth chronology is correct beyond a doubt. Its reliability has been abundantly confirmed by the dates and events of 1874, 1914, and 1918. Present-truth chronology is a secure basis on which the consecrated child of God may endeavor to search out things to come." (Watchtower, June 15, 1922, p. 187.)

"This chronology is not of man, but of God. Being of divine origin and divinely corroborated, present-truth chronology stands in a class by itself, absolutely and unqualifiedly correct...." (Watchtower, July 15, 1922, p. 217.)

'1914 ended the Gentile Times ... The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures... by then the great crisis will be reached and probably passed' (Watchtower, Sept. 1, 1922, p. 262.)

No wonder all the numerous articles hyping and bragging about these historic conventions NEVER tell us what the message really was, what they were actually "advertising"!

Let us try to sum up some facts here. As the Watchtower Society tells us, Jesus carried out an inspection of all Christianity, and in 1919, after having reviewed the record of all the sects and churches therein, he decided that the sect with the absolute world record in false prophecies would be best suited as his representative on earth. We have also learned that he had actually used them since 1879, and then of course was really responsible for all their false prophecies himself. But as if this wasn't enough, when he had chosen them and poured out his spirit upon them in Cedar Point, in 1919, and 1922, they had launched upon a feverish campaign whose message was yet another false prophecy in form of the date 1925! As we can see from the above quotes, this date was held out as an absolute certainty.

Now, ask yourself this simple question: Is this the effect one would expect "Jehovah's spirit" to have upon anybody? If you are anywhere near being an honest person, you will of course know the answer. And you will of course know the truth about the Watchtower Society's claim of being "chosen by the Lord".

So could any of you faithful and loyal Watchtower Witnesses out there tell us what the "historical facts" show about the choice made by the Lord in 1919? I bet you will be dead silent. After all, the "truth isn't about facts" as one of your best apologists said it.

Warm Christian Love
Bangalore

:shocked:

There was a "swine class"?? :shocked: I must not have been paying attention, because I've never read that one before. It's like a very bad joke where the punch-line doesn't make any sense, but you feel obliged to choke out a laugh anyway. Oh my. Well, there's one good reason Rutherford was nicknamed "the Judge" - he had every soul, living and dead, pre-judged into their appropriate(as he saw it) slot and so-called 'class'. This craziness never ceases to confound me...

Bangalore - you are one busy brother! Thanks for it all.
Love from me-:siskiss:
:peace:

It is truly remarkable to me how people try to paint Br Russell with the same paint brush as the apostate jail-bird Rutherford. Reminds me of the same kind of illogic used by trinitarians who are Scripturally and historically ignorant.

(Matthew 24:48-51) . . .“But if ever that evil slave(Rutherford) should say in his heart, ‘My master is delaying,’ 49 and should start to beat his fellow slaves(disfellowship) and should eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, 50 the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, 51 and will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his part with the hypocrites. There is where [his] weeping and the gnashing of [his] teeth will be.(Atlanta jail) :angry:

While I don't aggre with the revisionist history that appears regularly in the Watchtower's publications what is generally being subsumed theologically is that Christ was pleased that the Bible Students promoted Monotheism, upheld the Bible as true, promoted Jesus as the Atonement, promoted his Return, promoted non-violence, promoted no-Hell, and promoted the new heavens and new earth.

In general Rutherford's Witnesses held to these beliefs.

Its the details of both Russell's Dispensationalism and Rutherford's New Covenantalism that shows how far apart these two became.

In Christ

designs
Former JW Elder

About Rutherford, thought you might find this chapter interesting, from Springmeier's "Be Wise As Serpents".

Chapter 1.12

The Channel of Angelic Redemption

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF
In July 1636, the town of Aberdeen, Scotland saw a member of the clergy confined to its city limits. The clergyman had been imprisoned in for sedition against the state. The man was Samuel Rutherford, and his radical hatred of the state, and his advocacy of disobedience to it on religious
grounds, seems to be a foreshadowing of his descendent Joseph Franklin Rutherford, who would on June 21, 1918 be sentenced to twenty years in the Atlanta Pen for sedition against the United States government.

THE UNEDITED STORY
The whole story of Joseph F. Rutherford may never be known. But the unedited story will be presented, especially in regards to the Masons, the New Age and power.

Joseph was bom at Versailles, MO and grew up11 in the rolling farmland of Morgan Co., Missouri.12 He was ambitious. His father wanted him to remain on the farm, but he wanted to become someone important. He had always had high goals for himself, novel goals at that. His goals were novel in part due to his great imagination.14 Joseph had his flights into fantasy,15 and
from the evidence available actually channeled with what he felt were spirit beings.16 He liked to call attention to himself and his theatrics. His booming voice, six foot figure, and emotional earnestness made him a dynamic speaker. He was not interested in accumulating wealth,17 but
he did like the fine life.18 He lectured all over the United States, and travelled throughout Europe and the Middle East.19

One Watchtower source says, "Probably no man in the world was closer to Pastor Russell than Mr. Rutherford." This is simply a big lie. Rutherford had made himself obnoxious to the point, Russell had exiled him away from headquarters. Russell even paid him to leave. Rutherford was very sensitive. He seethed at his treatment by Russell. Russell stepped on his toes numerous times. In one case, Rutherford wrote a complaint to Russell about his treatment, and Russell did the wrong thing considering the sensitive feelings of Rutherford. Russell printed the complaint in the WT magazine.20

Alexander Hugh Macmillan, another man of Scottish blood, was responsible for Rutherford joining the Society.21 Apparently Rutherford, who was a big reader, purchased three books by Russell. While sick at home he happened to look at Russell's books.22 Joseph Rutherford had become a lawyer, and up to this point had not shown any interest in spiritual matters in his life. He knew practically nothing about the Bible,23 and did not attend church,
although his parents were Baptists. But he liked what Pastor Russell taught. And his friend A.H. Macmillan who was prominant in the WT Society, was able to get Rutherford positions in the Society. Rutherford became the Society's lawyer, and went to court numerous times to defend
Russell in court.

After 1907, all the legal matters of the Society were handled by Rutherford.24 A.H. Macmillan's friendship with Rutherford was an important one. A. H. Macmillan claimed he had been put in charge of the Watchtower Society when Russell was gone. (Macmillan, A.H. Faith on the March, p.70) Macmillan along with his cohort Van Amburgh, the Society's accountant used their power to get Rutherford into the WT Presidentcy. (Faith on the March, p. 68)

As is common knowledge, Rutherford took turns filling in as a special judge in the absence of any regular judge of the Eighth Judical Circuit Court of Boonville, MO. This happened before he became associated with the Bible Students. Because of this the Jehovah's Witnesses called Joseph Rutherford, Judge Rutherford. It was a term he liked.

The Judge stated, "My purpose is good toward all." But his actions came across entirely different.27 " When Russell died all pandemonium broke out," a Bible Student said. Rutherford's ability to take firm command of a situation was put into motion. Out of his L.A. exile he came, and by force of his personality, legal trickery, and some nasty power grabbing tactics took charge of the situation. He expelled 31 Bethel workers.28 And being the trail blazer that he was, he renounced all the former guide lines and followed his own ideas rather than Russell's. He took the Society out of the rut that the cult around Russell had the Society in. Many that were loyal
to Russell left the Society.

It is important to understand Rutherford's nature to think for himself. It was so extreme that he found it difficult to conform to any regulations. He set his own guidelines. He was always resisting anyone thinking for him.29 Consequently, because the Judge liked alcoholic beverages, he was an alcoholic, and even created the same attitude among some of his associates.30 He encouraged JWs to break the prohibition laws and smuggle alcohol.31 Because the Judge liked certain women, he had his girlfriends,32 even though the scriptures condemn adultery.

Mysterious, distant, reserved, and cold, Rutherford is remembered best for his greed for power. With dictatorial powers came the ability to live in luxury at the Society's expense. His life of luxury during the depression is hardly known to Jehovah's Witnesses today, but it included the use of several mansions, several 16-cylinder Packards, the best liquors money could buy, and all his desires for comfort. He rarely spent time with his invalid wife, who lived in California.33

It is hard to picture Rutherford as a Mason. He was so narrow-minded and had so many prejudices that it isn't likely that he would have been asked or would have cared to joined. None the less it would not be beyond the realm of possibility, considering that some of his friends were some of the most powerful Masons in the United States. Initially Rutherford had worked for three time Presidential nominee, and Secretary of State and Arch-Mason William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925). Rutherford had a friend in the in the U.S. Senate, a German-born Jew from Cumberland, Md. named George Louis Wellington, who also was a banker and president of Edison Electric Illuminating Co.34 Sen. Wellington was a leading Freemason (32° and a Knight Templar). Wellington was also an Oddfellow, and Elks, and a Knights of Pythias. Wellington's family had to leave England during Mary Tudor's reign and move to Germany. His mother's maiden name was Meyer. She was Jewish.34a

Certain Bible Students have claimed that Russell was murdered. They believed that certain men J.F. Rutherford, W.E. Van Amburgh, R.H. Hirsh (Jewish), Morton Edgar (Scottish), Morton's brother Edgar, C.J. Woodworth (Methodist parents), Paul S.L. Johnson (Jewish), Czeslaw Kasprzykowski, A.H. Mcmillan, George Fisher (his father was an Episcopalian clergyman
possibly of Jewish descent from Scranton,Pa), Isaac F. Hoskins, William E. Page, Henry Clay Rockwell, and some others contributed to the murder. They believed that some poison was slipped past Russell's foodtaster.35 They think the body was gotten off the train at the next stop and embalmed quickly to hide the murder. According to Macmillan, Menta Sturgeon took the body to an quack embalmer and got Russell into a $20 casket.36

It would be hard to determine anything now about Russell's body because the 5 foot thick foundation of the pyramid which is over Russell is reinforced with lots of barbed wire,37 and at least one WT reference says that Russell was cremated before being laid under the pyramid after having lain in state in Brooklyn and Pittsburgh. Russell's body was cremated after three days in the good Rosicrucian fashion. It is the Rosicrucian's belief that the spirit within the body must be given this time. The WT Society at the time owned the Union Cemetary,38 and later placed a decoy tombstone with Russell's name to deceive people as to the real burial spot.
Perhaps the second most vital position of the WT Society was the London office, as it helped with the European and Commonwealth work. Paul S.L. Johnson, a Jew, had been assigned this position by Russell. Paul Johnson had for some time thought Russell had selected him to succeed,39 and a majority of the Directors thought so to.40 For a while the London office and British Guinea were loyal to Johnson rather than Rutherford.41 But Rutherford tricked the law into believing that the four Directors who opposed him were illegal, and forced their dismissal.42

Then he had the upper hand. The motive for murder would have been power and money. Rutherford and his friends like Macmillan took over the Society. Rutherford became a recluse.43 He gradually solidified his power and wealth. He had the use of several Packards, and several mansions, even in Europe.44
[text missing]

On Feb. 8, 1942, Rutherford died according to one WT reference with his boots on.70 Some older Bible Students on the West Coast say he fell down the stairs drunk. His death was kept secret for several days, and the local San Diego Union paper didn't get the scoop until the 10th, three days later, and printed a story the 11th. His estranged son Malcolm C. (also a lawyer) and his neglected wife, who he had ignored for years, Mary M. Rutherford lived in Los Angeles.

His live-in secretary Bonnie Boyd was with him at his Beth Sarim mansion when he died, and signed his death certificate. Afterwards she married a man named W.P. Heath and dropped out of the picture. It appears his death was kept secret until the petty power struggle between the
Triumpirate in Bethel was ironed out. Still why his death was wrapped in secrecy is not known for sure. His burial was kept secret because he wanted to be buried at Beth Sarim which was outside of any cemetary zone.

In a fitting tribute to a man who had no respect for anyone else's opinion
nor was ever governed by anyone else's rule, Rutherford was buried secretly against city ordinances at Beth Sarim.71 Three months later a lone unaccompanied hearse pulled up to Woodrow Cemetery and a mock funeral was held in the Staten Island dawn by a select group of Jehovah's Witnesses.72

The death certificate says Rutherford died of uremic acid which he had had for 1 month, due to Carcinoma Rectum which he had had for 18 months due to Pelvic metastasis which he had had for 6 years.

In exploring the relationship of the WT Society to the One-World-Conspiracy several items can be mentioned in relation to Rutherford.

1) What ever Rutherford decided to do, he would have done it, for he was not guided by moral scruples, but his own ideas.

2) Rutherford had some powerful friends. He had campaigned with William Jennings Bryan's presidential campaign, worked with civic groups73 and groups like the Masons,74 and had friends like Congressman Blackburn Barrett Dovener of W. Va., a lawyer.75

3) He had some pull with some newspapers, for instance, the National Labor Tribune of Pittsburgh ran his sermon on Thurs. May 9,1918.

4) His modus operandi to cover over the controversy over the widespread use of a demonic oeji healing device by Jehovah's Witnesses was to allow Goodrich to write an article against it, and then to refute Goodrich's article in a subsequent issue, and then to proclaim the issue closed to discussion.76 In light of this and other similar coverups it is not out of the question that the antimasonic article reprinted in the WT in 1930 may have been merely a subterfuge.

Was Paul Johnson slated by the B'nai B'rith to take over the WT Society? Was Rutherford and his close henchmen tried on sedition, because they upset the plans of the B'nai B'rith to put their man in? Did Rutherford strike a deal at some point with the Powers? Circumstantial evidence points to Rutherford agreeing to some kind of working relationship with the conspiracy. Or did the One-world-government planners support both sides of the struggle for power over the WT Society?

There was a noticable change in Rutherford during the 1920's. He began channeling. He wrote that wicked angels worked their sins off by bringing messages to the earth for God. Since his messages from these spirit beings have proved false, the conclusion is they were demonic. After God's channel to redeem the angels had died, the WT described his death in these words, "Brother Rutherford's advancing on to greater fields of activity, by Jehovah's grace..."77

NOTES
11. Death certificate from San Diego Co., cf. Harrison, Visions of Glory, p. 172
12. Harrison, op cit., p. 172 and Cole, Jehvovah's Witnesses, p. 213
13. ibid.
14. Author's research
15. ibid.
16. Several researchers have studied Rutherford's channeling. Duane Magnani gave a talk at the Pa. Convention of ex-JWs, 1987 on Rutherford's demonic channeling, which was taped and sold as "Angels of the New Light." Magnani has accumulated much information, yet to be published
on the subject. At least one New Age channeler has identified Rutherford as channeling. Rutherford indicates this several times, because holy spirit has ceased to function according to him, see Preservation(l932), pp.201, WT 11/1/31, p. 327 and WT Apr. 1, 1934, p. 105
17. Author's research into Rutherford's character. One of the salient features of his personality was his independent thinking.
18. Magnani, Duane. Danger At Your Door. Clayton, CA: Witness, Inc., 1987, pp. 210-224.
19. Cole. op. cit.,p. , and WT publications during Russell's time.
20. WT, 191?, p.
21. Unpublished manuscript of talk by A.H. MacMillan. "History of the WT, 1910-1920."
22. ibid.,and other sources
23. Pike, Royton. Jehovah's Witnesses. London:Watt & Co., 1954, p.19.
24. Cole, Jehovah's Witnesses, p. 214.
25. Macmillan, A.H. Faith on the March. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1957, p. 70
26. ibid., p.68
27. Rutherford, Government and Peace (1939),p.4
28. Cole(?) , Jehovah's Witnesses, p.89
29. Author's research
30. Gruss, Edmund. Apostles of Denial reprints a BTTBW publication #79, which was a reprint of Olin Moyles letter(Sept. 25,1940) to the Milwaukie, WI congregation of JWs. Olin Moyles had been the Society's attorney. On page 295 of Gruss' book, Moyle wrote, "There appears to a definite policy of breaking in newcomers into the use of liquer and resentment is shown against those who do not join them. The claim is made 'One can't be a real Bethelite without drinking beer." This statement is accord with the author's research on Rutherford's personality.
31.
32. Confidential Bible Student sources. Obviously this is a delicate situation for an informant. Verna Peal travelled with Rutherford internationally, and was his "nurse". See Bonnie Boyd Heath's testimony for the New York Supreme Court, court transcript pp. 1364-1370. Bonnie Boyd was his devout secretary, from 1923 to his death, she even signed his death certificate Bonnie Boyd. She had a quick Los Vegas marriage to Heath, but lived with Rutherford at his mansion. Rutherford's fascination with bare-breasted women is quite evident just by looking at the many WT illustrations of topless or nude women in their publications during his reign as President.
33. This paragraph is compilation of indictments made against Rutherford from a host of sources. Some of these sources are a. Letter from W.F. Salter (4/1/37) to Joseph Rutherford. Olin R. Moyle's 7/21/39 letter to Rutherford which says much of the same things that Salter's says.
Rutherford's mansion at Beth Sarim is mentioned in Time Magazine 3/31/30 and the San Diego Sun 1/9/31, and photocopies of these are reproduced in Duane Magnani's book Danger At Your Door, published by Witness, Inc.
34. The Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Vol. ?, p.545 and ?
34a. History of Allegheny Co., p. 702-704.
35. List do Chrzescijan Nr.149 (orig.in Polish) The Ger. version is Brief an Christen-This is a German trans, of Detroit Bible Student Stanley's letter concerning what his Bible Student (Jehovah's Witnesses) parents who lived in Pittsburgh,PA had experienced. They were friends of Maria Francis Ackley, and left the Society after Russell died. The items in the letter have not been substantiated, but there were Stanleys in the early Pittsburgh congregation.
36. A.H. Macmillan. "History of the WT Society, 1910-1920"
37. Souvenir Report of the Bible Student Convention, Pittsburgh, PA 1/2-5/1919, p.7
38. ibid.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
(more on file below)
70. Consolation (Feb. 4, 1942) p.17
71. Confidential Bible Student sources, cf. Cleveland Plain Dealer Newspaper, Jan. 12, 1942, which says he is to be buried according to their sources at Beth Sarim.
72. UPI reported this April 25 from NY
73. The Catholic Northwest Progress Newspaper, Seattle, WA, Fri. Apr. 22, 1938 as quoted in Consolation, No.487, 1938, p.19.
74. Numerous talks by Rutherford were given at Masonic Halls.For instance, the annual meeting of the WTB&TS was held in late 1923 along with a five day convention. Rutherford was present. The first days were held at the Memorial Hall, but Sunday's convention service was held at Pittsburg's Syria Shrine Temple a.k.a. the Syria Mosque, where not only the Shriners but various Masonic groups held functions. The WT 12/1/23 p.360 records the use of this Masonic facility for their convention. Consequently, with so much interaction between the Society and the Masons, Rutherford could not have avoided dealing with them at some point.
75.
76. Goodrich, Roy. Demonism and the Watchtower. Fort Lauderdale, FL.:The Bible Way Publ., 1969, p.1-35
77. Consolation, Feb. 4,1942, p.17

Hi Jesh -

I like to read the grit on Rutherford as much as the next person :giggle: HOWEVER - this is so poorly written - filled with grammar and spelling errors, unreferenced inuendo and missing references. :readthis: It sounds like a high-school drop-out voicing a grudge! Is this copied from Springmeier's book text as is? If so, that publisher must not've employed a proof-reader! :thinking: Because it reads that way, I'd have a hard time believing anything that isn't coroborated elsewhere, and much of it is, actually.

Also - I've never read that the Bible Students suspected murder in Russell's death! :shocked: That's a cowardly accusation to make without an ounce of proof, imho. Even though... I once read Russell's companion's account of the days leading up to and including his death and he was reported to have been in agony for hours before dying... which is what immediately came to my mind - that could coincide with those accusations of foul play by poison. But there isn't a shred of evidence one way or another, so that's just gossip about the dead I guess.:blush:

:peace: Peace to you -
Willa

Jesh,

I, on the other hand, found that a very interesting read. Thank you.

It is true that many conclusions are based on circumstantial evidence and eyewitness (who are growing slim) testimony, rather than hard evidence. Maybe that's all that's left :dontknow:.

One thing I have heard from, what I consider a VERY reliable source, was that one of the main reasons C.T. Russell travelled to L.A. was to address some serious problems that "Rutherford was creating in L.A." He died on the train back, and immediatly MacMillian wired Rutherford with the message, "The old man is dead." Whatever that means. :whistle:

JohnF

I believe that it is the 2007 Jan 1 WT study article that states that the GB still receives incite or revelations or some sort of "devine truths" from the dead (resurected) 24 elders group. This is also stated in the Revelation Climax book, page 125, par. 17.
Ah....the legacy of Rutherford!:huh:

And they have a problem with Orthodox/ Catholic Christians praying to Saints? :confused:

Interesting...:whistle:

Hi Willa

You can download the entire book here in PDF format.

The Watchtower and the Masons by Fritz Springmeier
http://www.watchtower.cc/wtmasons.pdf

Warm Christian Love
Bangalore

From the study article "The First Resurrection” – Now Under Way.

11 What, then, can we deduce from the fact that one of the 24 elders identifies the great crowd to John? It seems that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today. Why is that important? Because the correct identity of the great crowd was revealed to God’s anointed servants on earth in 1935. If one of the 24 elders was used to convey that important truth, he would have had to be resurrected to heaven by 1935 at the latest. That would indicate that the first resurrection began sometime between 1914 and 1935. Can we be more precise?

Full article available at this thread.

http://www.paradisecafediscussions.net/s...hp?tid=213

Warm Christian Love
Bangalore

You know what is so interesting about this statement from the Watchtower and Revelation Climax book is that they claim the 'Great Crowd' was correctly identified in 1935....(Not). Joseph's 1935 book Riches identifies the Great Crowd as not even being Christians, more on par with John the Baptist as a 'type'.

Show that to a modern Witness. I did Saturday. I met a Witness who was doing Street Work Saturday morning. I steered the conversation towards Jesus Christ and the Body of Christ and the whole problem with Rutherford's hypothesis of what he labeled anointed and non anointed. How his model completely seperates a JW from relating to Jesus Christ properly.

He surprisingly agreed that Witnesses don't have a strong identity or relationship with Jesus Christ.

It is important to share with our JW friends that the New Testament is a personal Letter written from Jesus Christ to them personally.

In Christ

designs
Former JW Elder

This brings something to mind that I have been thinking about.

Has anyone ever thought of the term the Society and "Witnesses" throw around so much, "SPIRITUALITY"?

I started wondering one day, what in the world this REALLY means?? I used to use it myself without really thinking; and I thought I knew what it referred to, but no other Christian religion, that I can think of, uses this term. :thinking:

I read an account once of a gentlemen who he and his wife parted company the Society around 1917 (When Rutherford took over), and one of the reasons he stated was: Rutherford claimed that he had some sort of communication with C.T. Russell in the SPIRIT realm. I immediately, I made the connection with that term "Spirituality" which is used today by the Society so much.
:help:

Hi John, Thank you for mentioning that account. I happened to have a copy of that letter you referenced, here to share with you all. I have bolded the part about "spiritualism"


WHY
BROTHER AND SISTER F. A. HALL
(FORMER PILGRIM)
Have withdrawn from all connection with the W. T. B. & T. SOCIETY

Yet seek fellowship with the dear Israel of God.

Since Bro. Russell's death, I have been Noticing the development in the church, and especially among the officials, of a different spirit than was formerly displayed. This set me to thinking. I saw a political activity manifested at the Bible house after Bro. Russell's death, which I could not understand. I passed no opinion one way or the other, because I believed that this was God's affair. I feared to touch so great matters, and therefore decided to wait for more light. It seemed that Bro. Rutherford had assumed more authority than was proper, but I was not satisfied that the surmises forced upon me could be correct.

Later on, the stand taken in the Indianapolis church by two elders against the vote of other five elders, that Bro. Rutherford should be elected as our Spiritual Counselor startled me. If all the Ecclesias did likewise, I saw that thus he would have an absolute power similar to the pope.

When the two elders mentioned above forced his election on our class, over the protest of four of our elders, I then began to see more clearly what the term "Our Board of Elders" meant; that the election of a president, a vice president, secretary and treasurer by the "Board of Deacons and Elders" seemed to constitute our Ecclesia one of the integral parts of the system of "Babylon". It looked like the officers of this church were lording it over God's heritage. Although an elected elder, I had no more to do or say in the affairs of this class than any other attendant at our meetings; I was an adherent of the nominal church, not that I aspired to any authority.

THE SPIRITUAL COUNCELLOR
This affair, above mentioned came off November 21, 1917. I was not listed to speak during the rest of that year. None of us four elders were elected for the ensuing year. To make this possible, the defaming of our characters was necessary, as there were no other charges that could be brought against us, than
opposition to Bro. Rutherford as a "Spiritual Counselor". Our reputations as faithful brethren had to be sacrificed. No expression of regret for the vicious spirit of the two elders mentioned, and their false, malicious charges against the elders on the night of the Rutherford election has ever yet been forthcoming. I speak now only for myself. I call the whole membership of this Ecclesia to witness that no words of condemnation or complaint have ever passed my lips against anyone in the class for the heartless, unjust treatment I have received, except once when I said in a meeting that I felt hurt at the way I had been treated. Even then no one answered a word of comfort. What more could I do but hang my harp on the trees of Babylon when a joyous song was asked of me?

I still believe that these brethren thought they were doing what was for the best interests of the service of God. I hold nothing in my heart but love for them, as manifested by my kindness to all since that time. The coolness towards Sr. Hall and myself, how-ever, has continued until the present, notwithstanding I was
again elected elder for the year 1919.

I was not given a class to teach by the officers of the board, possibly because of my physical illness. We attended a few Berean Studies; but when we saw that the Berean teachers made a practice of leading the classes off from Bro. Russell's answers to the questions to Bible texts, allowing the class members to get the
answers out of the texts instead of wholly taking Bro. Russell's explanations and the texts he gave, we simply lost interest in the studies and ceased attending.

I am not blaming any one in all this. I see it to be simply the spirit of "the mystery of iniquity" working unawares among us, leading the Lord's dear people away from Bro. Russell and his writings. The cause of it all is the subtle teaching of Spiritualism which is developing in the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, and is setting before us the so-called 7th Volume of Pastor Russell's Scripture Studies as the creed for the truth people. If you do not accept this you cannot teach or hold an eldership. I now see the error I myself was in, in holding up this "Finished Mystery." For this reason I want to expose its claim as sent from the Lord to his people as widely as I formerly supported it. I now see it to be a part of the great deception which will eventually deceive all but the very elect."

GOD DOES NOT SANCTION IT
I have lately secured absolute proof of this, which I will furnish free to all who ask for it. That it is subtle spiritualism is proven by the claim of its supporters, that Pastor Russell in the spirit world is directing the church, and that the Watch Tower and the preaching service of the W. T. B. & T. Society is the "channel"
used by the Lord. This has ever been Satan's method.

The misnamed 7th Volume was published by Rutherford alone and not by the Watch Tower Society, as the posthumous work of Pastor Russell. Pastor Russell never prepared one scrap of manuscript for this 7th Volume. All the quotations in it from his pen were published in his writings before he died therefore it is not his posthumous work. His name was attached as a bait to sell it to God's saints, notwithstanding
confusing. explanations to the contrary. I have ample satisfying proof of this.

We have never heard but one side of this whole trouble since Pastor Russell's death. Therefore, I have been deceived and confused until I made this careful investigation of the blinding deception handed out to us by the W. T. B. & T. Society. We were taught that the whole dispute was over four brethren at the Bible house aspiring to get control of the Society after Bro. Russell died. This was a misrepresentation. Bro. Rutherford grasped the control, and illegally ousted those who were the legal directors.

This caused twenty-five others to leave headquarters, and hundreds of Pastor Russell's old standbys, veterans in the truth, to sever all connections with the Society in all parts of the world. These truth people have classes everywhere; where there are enough to hold meetings, and I was astonished to see the number of former pilgrims, public speakers and elders, besides sisters, meeting in the same sweet old way, talking of the things, dear Bro. Russell loved and preached. I could scarcely believe my eyes and ears. Their various conventions are spiritual love feasts. Surely these are the people of God, and here I have been standing, during the past two years, grieving because I wondered if God had left me. When I saw Jesus, my Savior, among these humble, loving opposers, Protestants, I said surely realize we must keep "coming out" from the snares set by our adversary until the end.

ELIJAH AND ELISHA SEPARATED
I can now see how true Bro. Woodworth wrote when he said the contents of the 7th Volume(?) would separate Elijah and Elisha. The separating is going on. The "Finished Mystery" will I feel be end of the "Mystery of Iniquity", when all the dear saints recognize how W. T. B. & T. Society, in which we all had such confidence, has bound them up with the misrepresentations, false hopes, and a spirit so evil that falsehood seems like truth, and deception like liberty. My heart goes out in love and sympathy to all such as I am severing all business relations with this Watch Tower System, but not fellowship with God's, dear saints.

COME BACK TO THE OLD TEACHING
If enough in our Indianapolis class wake up to realize the true condition as I have, we may start a Bro. Russell class of Bible students here and come back to the Bible and Jesus alone, as the one Lord over his people. We have been told that all who leave the Society have gone out of the truth, but dear friends, it is not so. You are simply corning back into the arms of Jesus our Shepherd, who will hold his poor straying lambs and sheep very near his heart. You will not "go out". You will only be coming back to the sweet, pure teaching of the six Volumes of the complete message of the Lord to his church, through his wise, faithful steward who "finished his work" (Ezekiel 9), at his death. Remember that Bro Hall has the proof of these things, when the lords of God's heritage, mistakenly we hope and pray, try to bind you more securely.

The so-called 7th Volume is so full of contradictions of Pastor Russell, and of its own erroneous claims and statements, that I cannot here even attempt to show them. I cannot show the proofs of the swiftly developing errors in the Watch Tower, Society, it will not harm you. If I can show you, you will get the same
spiritual uplift which hundreds of the loyal truth people all over the world are now enjoying.

Our home, 3144 Northwestern Ave., will be open every Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock, p. m., for examination of these proofs until a class is formed for a regular study of the true "New Light" from the Old Watch Towers and the six volumes of Bro. Russell's Studies in the Scriptures, which took us all out of Babylon once, and sanctified us through God's word. Surely the Fiery Chariot is bearing the true Elijah nearer home. "One is your Master, even Christ, all of you are brethren." There is no new organization among these: separated grains of wheat. The delusions which will deceive all but "the very elect", will not be easily seen. They are not on the surface, and are intended for those whose hearts are in a proud, bitter attitude. It is still "Summer time", dearly beloved saints of the Lord. The harvest is not entirely over. Hear the Master's voice, "Come out of her, My People." Do not think there is much of anything now left in the nominal church.

Let the fiery chariot bear you away to God. Oh, blessed hope ! Elijah and Elisha must separate, even though the parting causes pain. There is no truth in Elijah and Elisha merging . The August 1st and 15th Watch Towers on Elijah and Elisha completely opened my eyes to the deceptions of the adversary working in the W.
T. B. & T. Society. I cannot hope to help any of those dear brethren whom I still love tenderly, I do have faith that many others yet can be gathered out before the end. The door stands open still. Have a little talk with Jesus about it. Read Chapter VIII in Studies in the Scriptures. The title is " Elias Shall First Come ".
You will see how unreliable the Society's teachings have become. Remember that Elijah's end or John the Baptist's end has not yet arrived. It is near. Would you like to attend a convention of Bro. Russell's faithful friends? Maybe it can be arranged.

Is IT THE TRUTH?-OR A SOCIETY?
"He that judgeth a matter before he heareth (understandeth) it, it is shame and folly unto him." Finally, we see there were to be, two separating operations among Christians during the harvest time. First, the call out of Babylon - the wheat from the tares - and the second, the separation of Elijah from Elisha afterwards.
On page 39, February 1, 1916, Watch Tower, top of page, second column, Bro. Russell said that he did not know what the chariot of fire was, which would do the separating. He said it might come soon, within a few months, or perhaps a year or more. He thought it a fiery trial among the Lord's people. Is not the forcing of the 7th Volume on us the fiery trial? Have not many hundreds of Bro. Russell's faithful followers, old-time pilgrims, public speakers, and colporteurs, largely, and other hundreds who stuck to the message of the six Volumes and the old Watch Towers up to his death, withdrawn from the Society? My conscience will not allow me to stand by the Bible & Tract Society teaching any longer. I must go back to Bro. Russell and his teaching. All of the true Elijah and true Elisha will not force one another apart. They simply separate. The forces belong to another class. Do you stand for Truth?

F. A. HALL