I fail to see that any true dub would accept information posted on the internet. For my own part, I was not satisfied until having read the full history, from original publications. Not Berean repros but originals.

Heres Mr Russell from the WT of August 1889:
...."The foundation of the great apostacy was laid in the seperation of a class (called clergy)from the church of believers in general...
this was not done in a day,but gradually.Those who had been chosen from their own number ,by the various congregations, to minister, or serve them in spiritual things,gradually came to consider themselves a superior class....Next they felt it beneath their dignity to be elected by the congregations they were to serve...Their councils ..came finally to decreeing what should be considered orthodox...this self exalted clergy, becoming more and more vain and boastfull,finally concluded that they alone constituted the Church ,and that the laity..were not to be classed as joint heirs..to the promises of coming glory and honor and association with Christ"...

Two classes. One for heaven, one not.

Burn Rutherford, Burn!

Refiner's fire,

I agree. I just read these words today at the library, and to touch the pages and see the words on the brownish paper has much more impact than seeing them on a computer screen.

Terafira,

As I understand these words, Russell was saying that the battle had already begun in 1878, and 26 years later, in 1914 it would all come crashing down at Armageddon.

Refiner's fire,

If you go back and read the quotes you will see that Russell believed that the great harvest began in 1874 (the 40 year type and antitype (sp) that you refer to) and that the beginning of the end started four years later in 1878.

hmmmm.
Im inclined to think 1874 to 1914 for Armaggedon brother.
Checking now. If Im wrong I will grovel for forgiveness before your supremeness.

After a quick look:
I can see that Christ "returned" in 1874. He recieved his "Kingship" in 1878. And the "harvest' commenced in 1874.

I give up.Your right.

Page 635 of "The Battle of Armaggedon" says therell only be a three hour working day in the paradise. How about that one?

"Battle of Armaggedon" on page 619 forward talks about the "Ancient worthies". After Russell and his mates are gone (apparently in the 1910 rapture), Armaggedon will follow (by 1914) then the world will be rebuilt under the Ancient worthies". These will be able to communicate DIRECTLY with the 144000 and act as conduits to Gods spirit. Thus (in my interpretation)the worthies will rule mankind as kings. Curious.So maybe there was going to be a paradise earth after all, just without the Dubs there.

So thats where Rutherford got THAT idea from.

page 33 of "The time is at hand" (volume 2 of Studies) states:

...."In this chapter we present the Bible evidence which indicates
that 6000 years from the creation of Adam were completed with AD 1872, and hence that,since 1872AD, we are chronologically entered upon the 7th thousand or the Millenium"...

So go figure. Its all a bit flexible isnt it.

I'm sure many of you are familiar with the "Dawn Bible Students", they are one of the break off groups that left when the drunk took over the WTS after Russell died. If anyone is interested, they still print the "Studies in the Scriptures", I however am not sure, how much has been edited over the years. They are relitivly cheap between $2-3 a volume and about $1-1.50 for shipping, or the whole set for $12 and $3 shipping (all amounts are US). They have a websight with an online order form. Here is the publication link if your interested. http://www.dawnbible.com/dawnpub.htm

seedy

HI Refiner; The pages[138-190] in vol 3, are these from a original printing? I have single vol. reprint[1-6&Shadows] and the page numbers you give start at study 6[the work of harvest]. Is this the correct starting point that you refer to?
THANKS

Any newbies interested in Mikes link to old WTs....

WT March 1896- "That Servant" article.
WT April 15,1904- "Like unto men who wait for their Lord".
WT October 1, 1909- "That servant and fellow servants"

All articles in sequence that show The shifting of thinking from a collective FDS to an individual Faithfull and Discreet slave. Russell.

Here is the link for anyone that is interested.

http://www.agsconsulting.com/htdbnon/master.htm

Let me add they are like fresh air.
Russell lived at a time of great religious oppression in the heart of Christendom and to
hand tracks out as people came out of the churches was terrifying.
He made a few mistakes but who among us is perfect.Let me stress that if you need good
spiritual food its really good in these old Watchtowers and makes you feel good.free! remember
christian freedom
As far as I'm concerned the WTBS was dissmissed in 1980,for beating the sheep and ruling
over them. Ray Franz is the only member of the governing body that escaped.He points this out
in his book that Freddie.his uncle really did not agree with what they were doing, But for some reason he
succumbed.