onacruse	Re: Bible Student's C.T Russell gave 'organisation' the thumbs down!
	Hi be wise If the WTS was today being directed according to the procedures Russell promoted, there would be no "organization." In his day, every "ecclesia" (as "congregations" were then called) operated autonomously. No Brooklyn boys telling them what to do; they set their own meeting content and agendas; they selected their own elders; if they decided to excommunicate someone, it was by way of a congregational hearing and vote (not a committee, and no "clearance" through Brooklyn); they didn't have to study or use any of the WTS literature, if they didn't want to (though most did, by choice); they didn't have "quotas." Many of the early WTs included articles contributed by others, identified by name (some with a note from Russell like "While we don't agree with all the points contained herein, we thought well to put this out for your consideration"). And Russell continued, to his dying breath, to call all people of other Christian religions "brother and sister" (ok, he wasn't totally ecumenical, but way different than what the WTS became under Rutherford). In some ways he was bizarre and self-serving (aren't we all? ); but he was a saint, compared to Rutherford. Good topic! Craig
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