This is a question that has been on my mind lately because I believe it can make an impact on those 'honest hearted' ones who wonder why the Watchtower today is so different than the one led by Russell and yet Russell can still be considered a brother in good standing.
Jehovah's Witnesses today acknowledge that the Watchtower use to celebrate Christmas but as they were being led 'out of the darkness' they changed their ways. I did some research and it is clear in the old Zion's Watchtower magazines that Russell knew that December 25th was not Jesus' birthday but instead it was the time of his conception. In one article, it even stated that Jesus was born September 25 (nine months later) while in another article it stated that Jesus was born on October 1st.
What's not clear, however, is whether or not old Chuck knew that the traditions were pagan. I did a search on old topics here on JWN and saw some people posted that he did know (one of them by Mary). However, no proof text or links was supplied to verify this.
This would be real interesting if he did know this because then it would make the witnesses position on Charles having the right 'heart condition' more difficult to defend. If indeed Charles Russell knew that the Christmas traditions he partook in were pagan but he did it anyway because he felt that the spirit of the season was about Christ, then how is this different than what Christians today practice? If indeed, Charles went to his grave knowing this but practicing it anyway and yet still be considered today as a brother and friend of Christ, why do they not allow the same for Christians today?
Just thinking....