The Russelites explanation and documentation of what happened when Rutherford took over the WT by force after Russel died.....

by EndofMysteries 15 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • EndofMysteries
    EndofMysteries

    I think this is good information and nicely presented for those who want to know the full story on what happened since the WT org paints a very different picture.

    Copied from http://www.pastor-russell.com/legacy/will_.html

    In 1884 Charles Taze Russell founded the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society for the purpose of printing Bible, tracts, and teaching aids. But within only a few weeks of his death in October, 1916 there began a significant schism which ultimately resulted in nearly seventy-five percent of Bible Students ceasing to fellowship with the Watchtower Society by the end of 1928. Why? On this page you can download actual scans of the original documents distributed among the Bible Students beginning in January, 1917. Most of these documents have been hidden by the hierarchy of Jehovah's Witnesses until now. By the end of 1928 more Bible Students had left than stayed, after which Joseph Rutherford formed the Jehovah's Witnesses, but continued to claim that Pastor Charles Taze Russell was their founder, not because it was true, but because of his fame and reputation. A simple comparison of the views, practices, and doctrines of these two men will show their claim to be a misrepresentation of truth.

    Here is a brief overview of the facts: It all began when Joseph Rutherford removed four members of the Watch Tower Society Board of Directors under a legal technicality that equally applied to himself, and then authorized the writing and publication of the book "The Finished Mystery" contrary to Pastor Russell's Will, the Society's official Charter, and without approval of the Board, and then falsely advertising the book to the public as the "posthumous work of Pastor Russell". As this issue developed, Rutherford began to forcibly and dogmatically alter the existing doctrinal views, organizational structure, and even denied the inclusive spirit of love for all Christians in or outside of any denomination practiced and preached by Pastor Russell. What had once been a non-judgmental and open association of Christians seeking and searching for Bible truth had quickly turned into an organized religion with a supposed exclusive theocratic relationship with God, an organized creed with rules and heavenly judgments, and a central rulership with a body of leaders that supposedly had a direct link to the Apostles. As a result of these things, Bible Students began to realize that not only the truth, but even the spirit of truth they held so dear had been compromised. By the end of 1928 three-fourths had severed their association with Rutherford and the newly changed Watchtower Society. In 1929 an attempt was made to regather those Bible Students who had grown disillusioned by the obvious change in spirit of Christian love and service at the Society. These are the same Bible Students who bring you this website.

    On their site you can see the documents. Just too much work to try to put all the links in here.

    Pastor Russell's Will (June 29th, 1907) Points of note: The Society is to conduct matters according to his wishes following his death; No new publications are to be produced; Each Watchtower issue must be overseen by a Committee of five, whose names appear therein; 'Old Theology Quarterly' tracts should continue to be published.

    Statement of Facts and Points (July, 1917) Joseph Rutherford presents his reasoning and claims for why the old Board is illegal. Coming Soon!

    Letter (July 27th, 1917) This first letter was printed up and sent to as many Bible Students as possible from the deposed members of the Board of Directors to inform them what had just taken place. 1.09 meg

    Harvest Siftings (August 1st, 1917) This paper was written by Joseph Rutherford and printed by the printers under contract to the Society, then distributed to all Watch Tower readers in violation of Pastor Russell's Will. 3.58 meg

    Open Letter to Conventioners (August 4th, 1917) A quickly mimeographed notice handed out at a Convention in Boston, Massachusetts to clarify that the claims in "Harvest Siftings" were inaccurate. 674 kb

    Printed letter (August, 1917) A printed letter showing correspondence between Frank Cook, colporteur and Pilgrim under Pastor Russell, and a brother Charles Cox, addressing the issue of whether or not "The Finished Mystery" should be accepted by the Lord's people. 496 kb

    Resolution Concerning "Harvest Siftings" (August 31st, 1917) A statement created and issued by the Los Angeles, California Ecclesia (congregation) of Bible Students reproving both sides for the course taken in the differences. 229 kb

    Light After Darkness (September 1st, 1917) A booklet printed by the members of the Board of Directors who were deposed by Rutherford. 6.68 meg

    Harvest Siftings II (October 1st, 1917) A booklet printed by Rutherford, again utilizing the donated funds of the Society, and published in violation of Pastor Russell's Will as a response to "Light After Darkness". 1.40 meg

    Harvest Siftings Reviewed (November 1st, 1917) A booklet written by P.S.L. Johnson, Pastor Russell's closest friend and associate, whom Rutherford and the current leadership of the Society to this very day accuse of being the true instigator of the troubles. 4.83 meg

    Facts For Shareholders of the WTB&TS (November 15th, 1917) Specific details of the illegal activities of Rutherford, including a statement by legal council, in preparation for elections to be held in January, 1918. 4.24 meg

    Open Letter to the People of the Lord (November 21st, 1917) A petition signed by several individuals at the Brooklyn Bethel desiring both sides to come together and resolve their differences. 791 kb

    "Harvest Siftings Reviewed" itself reviewed (December 7th, 1917) A short booklet printed by Jesse Hemery, the administrator of the London Tabernacle, supporting Rutherford, and denouncing Johnson. 1.25 meg

    Another Harvest Siftings Reviewed (August 22, 1918) A second booklet by P.S.L. Johnson presenting more details regarding Rutherford's accusations against him. 3.60 meg

    Notes and Comments on "The Finished Mystery" (February 19th, 1919) A 48-page booklet printed by Bible Students in Australia which points out the many errors and misrepresentations apparent in "The Finished Mystery." This booklet appeared in place of the March, 1919 issue of "The Peoples Paper", the monthly periodical of the Bible Students Tract Society , founded in Australia after the death of Pastor Russell. 5.14 meg

    The Golden Age (July 8th, 1931) Judge Rutherford claims the name "Jehovah's Witnesses" in order to make a final separation from Bible Students who desired to remain faithful to the ministry of Pastor Russell. 808 kb

    Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 1 (October, 1931) Bible Student response to Judge Rutherford's claiming the name "Jehovah's Witnesses" and final attempt at separating the WTB&TS from Bible Students who desired to remain faithful to the ministry of Pastor Russell. 1.18 meg

    The Golden Age (October 14th, 1931) Official response from the Society to Witness Bulletin No. 1. 707 kb

    Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 2 (January, 1932) Second paper written by Bible Student representatives in reply to statements made by the Society in "The Golden Age" magazine. 1.39 meg

    Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 3 (Summer, 1932) Announcement of another reunion Convention of Bible Students, and attempts at regathering all those alienated by Rutherford. 730 kb

    Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 4 (October, 1932) "The Press Still Pressing On" answers the claims that the WTB&TS (a printing plant) can represent all believers as "God's channel". 736 kb

    Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 5 (July, 1933) This final printing of the "Witness Bulletin" answers the Society's claim that they are "God's Organization". 1.43 meg

    When Pastor Russell Died (1946) A booklet printed by the Dawn Bible Students Association covering some of the basic details of the division between Bible Students faithful to Pastor Russell's Will and the WTB&TS during the period from 1917 through to the mid-'40s. 3.56 meg

    Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose ( ©1959 Watchtower Bible & Tract Society ) This book, printed by the Society in 1959, offers their first official "history" of Pastor Russell, and the early days of the Bible Student movement and the creation of "Jehovah's Witnesses". Posted are the relevant section related to the events of 1917. Compare the claims made in this book with the documents provided on this webpage. 1.69 meg

    Pastor Russell Not the Founder of Jehovah's Witnesses (1960's) A very short paper published by Bible Students in the 1960's to clear-up the false impression that the current doctrines and administration of the WTB&TS and Jehovah's Witnesses have any connection with Pastor Russell and Bible Students. HTML only - (PDF Coming Soon!)

    1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses ( ©1975 Watchtower Bible & Tract Society ) The Society's second "official" history, continues to present P.S.L Johnson as the key trouble maker, and continues to present a somewhat narrow view of what truly transpired. 1.53 meg

    Present Truth and Herald of Christ's Epiphany (October, 1975) This monthly magazine, printed by friends and associates of P.S.L. Johnson and his teachings, presented in this issue an answer to the claims appearing in the 1975 Yearbook. 941 kb

    Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom ( ©1993 Watchtower Bible & Tract Society ) This is the WTB&TS's most recent "official" history. Although they appear to take a different turn from their other two histories a brilliant light continues to shine on Rutherford, while Johnson and others are falsely portrayed as the enemies of God and the Truth. We only include the pertinent sections relating to the events of 1917. 2.47 meg

  • EdenOne
    EdenOne

    marked

  • Phizzy
    Phizzy

    Thanks for all that Endof, it makes it plain that Rutherford was one hell of a chancer, and adept at twisting what the Law actually said.

    Just the kind of guy Jesus would pick to lead his chosen few in 1919. Not.

  • Vanderhoven7
    Vanderhoven7

    marked

  • DATA-DOG
    DATA-DOG

    Rutherford went from a possible member of a committee, to the Prez!! It all went South once Rutherford took over. For any doubters and lurkers, just remember, Rutherford is the guy who built a multi-million dollar mansion for himself. Sure, he said it was for the ancient worthies. I guess he was going to chill with King David... The funny thing is that Rutherford not only built a multi-million dollar mansion, while JW volunteers lived in squalor, but he built it in California!!!

    Was New York, the city where GOD decided to base the World Headquarters of the "TRUTH", not good enough?! Why couldn't Rutherford by an already existing home in Columbia Heights and renovate it? Hmmmm...

    EOM, thanks! Marked!!

  • KateWild
    KateWild

    Hey DD looks like you have inspired ones. Well done for this EM-Kate xx

  • dropoffyourkeylee
    dropoffyourkeylee

    I am glad to see this archival material readily available at the site referenced in the OP. My first steps out were a deep reading of much of this same information. I purchased a number of books which at the time were republished by a Bible Student group in Chicago.

    I am a bit curious though about this site www.pastor-russell.com . It seems odd they state they were the first to make this material available online in 1997. Well, maybe online, but I had copies of the same things on my shelf back in the '80's. Then they caution against downloading the material anywhere else, as they are the only official source. But much of the material was not copyrighted or the copyright has expired, so there is no official source. They have watermarked all their downloads, the purpose of which is unclear. They even have the audacity to put up scans of the 1975 yearbook and the 1993 JW history book, which <are> under copyright by the WT society, and they put their own watermark on that too.

    I appreciated what they have done, but something about it doesn't smell right.

  • Esse quam videri
  • Awake at last
    Awake at last
    My grandmother was interested in the witnesses or bible students as they were known in the 1920's. She was never baptised but left disgruntled over something around the late 20's. My mother never fully understood why, she was only a child then. Maybe all this information may be the key as to what happened and why my grandmother left. I will read it with interest when I get some time.
  • Magnum
    Magnum
    Thanks. Interesting. Marking to examine later and download all materials.

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