When I was first learning about the WTS - the real truth behind the truth I was stunned. But I simply could not imagine it was about the money. I really believed that it was just some wrong beliefs.
Boy have my eyes been opened in the last 12 years.
I also always thought it was Rutherford who decided this would become the world's largest publishing companies.
Well this report for me says far more about Russell than I could have imagined. Rutherford just took Russell's model and expanded what was already there.
VM44
You asked earlier who published this. I may have misunderstood your question. While Russell and another (I forgot his name) gave the lectures the whole document is not technically a WT document. The following is the opening
1906 SOUVENIR REPORT FROM THE CONVENTIONS OF THE
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY
ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY: JULY 22-29, 1906
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA: AUG. 13-20, 1906
BELIEVERS IN THE ATONEMENT SACRIFICE OF CHRIST
"A RANSOM FOR ALL"
It seems to be the Lord’s will that a combined report of these Conventions should be prepared, therefore in conjunction with our dear Brother Geo. M. Huntsinger, this report has been prepared.
While this is not an official report of the Conventions of 1906, held under the auspices of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, at Asbury Park, N. J., and St. Paul, Minn., but merely notes on the sermons and incidents connected therewith, we trust, however, that it may be a fitting memento of the "best conventions" ever held.
The two Conventions covered a period of over two weeks, and there being usually two discourses each day, it is found impossible to put each discourse in the report verbatim, because of lack of space, time, cost to print, etc. It is therefore necessary to give only a synopsis of part of the discourses. We regret we cannot print them all in full. They were all good, and each one, no doubt, specially appealed to certain ones present; but it is our endeavor to select those subjects that would possibly be most interesting to the greatest number of the friends—in our judgment.
There are also may features of Conventions of this magnitude that it is impossible to reproduce in any report; they cannot be described, but only appreciated by those present.
We trust that those who were privileged to attend the Conventions will, in the possession of this report, have a tangible reminder of the precious seasons of fellowship there enjoyed, and of the many helpful suggestions and special assistances which were there presented, which otherwise might possibly have been lost in the abundance of blessings provided in that "feast of fat things," but which will thus be permanently preserved.
We also trust that those who were not privileged to personally attend the conventions may, by means of this report, receive a large share of the blessings which were the portion of those who more fortunately were able to be in attendance, and that the report may cause such to feel that they had a personal part in the Conventions, which they could not have had in any other way.
Special credit is due a number of the friends whose assistance has helped to make this "souvenir" what it is. They consider their service as a service of love unto the Lord, —He knows who they are.
We pray the Lord’s richest blessing upon the report as it goes on its mission to His household, giving out His truth, which is "meat in due season to the household of faith," and that His spirit and His strength may refresh one and all, and be especially manifest in the trials necessary in endeavoring to "press down upon the mark of the prize of our high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
May grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Yours in the fellowship and the royal service of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Dr. L. W. Jones,
2024 Washington Boulevard, Chicago.
ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY