"Donate and you will not get sick or die&q...

VM44

I came upon this yesterday and almost could not believe what
I was reading. I did not think even Charles T. Russell would be
so bold as to make these claims.

"At first Russell solicited donations under the pretension that the donators would neither die nor get sick "except by God's will". (11)

When some did die the offer needed amending.

But miraculous healings allegedly continued, including arthritics, deaf people, and even old persons restored to youth. (12) This was discontinued in the 1890s. "

Here are the references:

11. Watch Tower Reprints 1881 January p. 181
12. Watch Tower Reprints 1883 pp. 436-437; 1885 pp. 748749; 1885 pp. 782-784

Perhaps someone who has the WT Reprints could post these
references here on the board. That CTR would ever make such claims
is incredulous!

--VM44

P.S. The above information came from the article "Russell—JW Prophet"
which may be found at:

< http://www.adam.com.au/bstett/JWRussellCT4.htm>;

Celia

Never heard that one before...
I would love to see copies of these articles !!!

VM44

I found the Watchtower Reprints on the web.

I think the first reference should be,
1881 January p187. NOT p181.

Here we read the following:

*********

"Does some one object that so living and not laying up treasure on earth would lead to want when sickness comes? I answer, it would bring you into a position where your trust in God's promises would have opportunity for exercise. But living thus closely to God you could claim all of the promises. "No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." "For we know that all things shall work together for good to them that love God (and show it by obedience to his word) to the called according to his purpose." Besides I suggest that sickness is spoken of in scripture as being largely the result of sin, and the work of "Him that has the power of death; that is, the devil." The whole world
----------
[Continued on seventh page.]
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[R187 : page 7] [Continued from second page.]
through sin has come under his control, but when any become disciples of Christ they are transferred out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son. These, it would appear, are no longer subject to Satan except as his power may be permitted of Jesus and overruled for our good.
While our Lord may sometimes permit Satan to afflict his sheep for their development and perfection, sometimes, as in Paul's case, permitting "a thorn in the flesh as a messenger of Satan to buffet" them, yet we believe that as a rule if we were using our powers entirely and conscientiously in God's service we would not be so subject to sickness. "If we would judge ourselves, (see that we live in obedience to God's will) then we should not be judged of the Lord, but when judged we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world." (1 Cor. 11:31-32)."

*********

Russell is not asking for donations, so
I think the writer of the "Russell-JW prophet"
was adding to what CTR wrote in order to make
some sensational statement!

I wish the author would have been more careful
in the claims he made.

--VM44

dungbeetle

The author of this article is telling the truth. That IS Charles T. Russell through and through. In fact, the author is being overly generous.

I don't believe for a moment that Russell's claims about miraculous healings ended in those days, tho. At the time of his divorce, his wife Maria had been ill, and Russell said, in court under oath, and also in these same Watchtower reprints etc, that 'the devil made her sick'. In many ways he never stopped being a second-day/seventh day adventist--he just made more money at it than they did.

NOTHING except tracts were free. Russell asked for money for EVERYTHING. I believe the 'suggestion contribution' price was right on the magazine itself.So yes, he made these promises in return for contributions.

In 1975 a crack team of publishers was sentenced to death by a judicial commiteee. They promptly escaped from the cult and now live life on the run. If you have a problem ... and if you can find them ... maybe you can contact the A--postate Team"