C.T. Russell: a confirmed Pittsburgh Free Mason

by kid-A 118 Replies latest jw friends

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  kid-A

  There is overwhelming evidence that the spiritual founder of the WTS, C.T. Russell, was a prominent Free Mason in the Pittsburgh community. He went so far as to declare: "I am a FREE MASON" in several of his lectures. Check out Danny Haszards link: http://www.dannyhaszard.com/pyramids/pyramid.htm

  I had the chance several weeks ago to visit Russells grave in Pittsburgh where I saw for myself the pyramid gravestone adorned with the Masonic cross and crown emblems. More remarkable, he is buried a few hundred feet from a Masonic Temple located on the cemetery grounds!! We all know his early publications always featured masonic images on the covers, most notably the "winged globe".

  My question is to all JW apologists and lurkers out there: does it make sense to you that god would choose a prominent member of an occultic secret society to be his spokesperson on earth? How do justify the fact that the founder of "THE TRUTH" was steeped in pyramidology and masonic occultism??? The facts are right there my friends.

  
• 

  professor

  This topic has been covered on this board many times. Yes, he said this but it was in more of an "Ich bin ein Berliner" kind of way. There's no real evidence linking him to Freemasonry. Back to the books, kid.
• 

  TD

  There is overwhelming evidence that the spiritual founder of the WTS, C.T. Russell, was a prominent Free Mason in the Pittsburgh community. He went so far as to declare: "I am a FREE MASON" in several of his lectures.

  Anybody who draws this conclusion from Russell's lectures has serious reading comprehension problems in my opinion.

  In the 1913 convention report for example, Russell says that he is a "Free Mason" (Two words, not one, and the italicized emphasis on 'Free') but qualifies with, "not just after the style of our Masonic brethren." (p.120) Russell goes on to explain at length what he means by these statements. All "true" Christians including Jesus himself are living stones in the heavenly temple of God. Russell seems to think this temple of God is a pyramid built from the top down with Jesus, the "great mason" as the top piece. (pp. 121-122) Russell fleshes out this illustration with a number of direct parallels to Masonry, but emphasizes throughout that what he is speaking about is heavenly. The "free" in Russell's use of the term, "Free Masonry" means freedom from sin. (p. 123) Russell explains what is required to become a "Spiritual Mason" ---It means putting on the white robe and accepting the higher calling. (p.125)
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  kid-A

  Wow, speaking of comprehension problems....

  anybody who can come to conclusion he was not a free mason after reading and examining the evidence is in utter denial of reality. I guess his constant use of masonic imagery in all his literature were just for decorative effects? Free masons were noted for their intense devotion to pyramidology as was Russell. One must examine the totality of evidence, not isolated fragments.
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  talesin

  TD
  
  That was rude. It doesn't mean one has no reading comprehension,,, far from it!

  Why would Russell use that term "I am a free Mason"? Did soooo many people identify themselves as "chained Masons". What is a mason? I though it was a bricklayer! Then, he is very careful to disassociate himself from the "FreeMasons". Whatever! It's all semantics.

  kid-A

  I saw this topic and thought "he is gonna get it". lol, I was right. You can draw your own conclusions, that is what I do. Those who wish to believe he was not associated with the Masons will never admit to any possible connection.

  tal
• 

  kid-A

  Thanks Tal!

  Personally, I find it rather interesting that he was a mason, helps explain many of his theological and doctrinal positions.
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  professor

  Don't feel too bad. I used to think this, too. As I looked deeper, I realized that the evidence is quite weak. The statement that he was a Freemason cannot be made as an established fact.
• 

  TD

  
  

  Talesin,

  My comment was not a slam at kid-A, as it doesn't appear that he's actually read the lectures in question. That comment was directed at those who have read these lectures and ignore Russell's long-winded explanation of what he meant by the term

  Kid-A,

  I'm no fan of Russell. If there was any hard evidence linking him to Masonry, I'd be thrilled to hear it. Believe me, many of us have looked. To date though, there is nothing beyond a weak circumstantial argument.

  One of these especially weak arguments is the use of Masonic imagery. However you can find this imagery in the artwork of virtually all churches, because it is Masonry that has borrowed these motifs from Christianity and not the other way around.

  Take the cross and crown for example:

  Baptist:

  http://www.crossandcrownbaptist.com/

  http://www.firstbaptistkingsport.org/a__windows/story_of_the_stained_glass_windo.htm

  http://www.fairwindsbaptist.com/Ministries/Outreach.htm

  Lutheran:

  http://www.cross-n-crown.org/Index%202.htm

  http://villa.lakes.com/lutheran/lc.html

  http://www.ctkvestal.org/messages/christtheking.htm

  Catholic:

  www.daughtersofisabella.org/

  Presbyterian:

  http://home.att.net/~heritage.church/info/lent2003/

  Methodist:

  http://www.mmumc.net/worship.html

  Church of Christ:

  http://www.stjohns-mansfield.org/stained_glass.htm

  Christian Science (Mary Baker Eddy was quite fond of it for some reason)

  http://christianscience.rolf-witzsche.com/metaphor-2.html

  Evangelical:

  http://www.sharonministries.org.za/Devotion2.htm

  http://faithrefugechurch.com/

  Congregational:

  http://my.vbe.com/~plymouth/AboutPlymouth/Purpose&Mission.htm
• 

  talesin

  TD

  It's just that whole calling people "stupid" thing,,, I hate it. :D

  Still wondering why Russell would refer to his being a free___mason,,, was he a bricklayer?

  tal
• 

  jwfacts

  It doesn't matter whether he was accepted as a practicing Freemason or not. What is relevant is that he was greatly influenced by their occultish teachings. How any clear thinking person could believe this is the only true religion and that Jehovah directed Russell to introduce Egyptian symbology is beyond me. When I read the 60 pages on the pyramids in studies in the scriptures there was no turning back for me.