Dr. Edmond C. Gruss wrote a well documented book entitled
"Jehovah's Witnesses--Their Monuments to False Prophecy"
Published 1997 by Witness, Inc., Box 597, Clayton CA 94517
Has about 100 pages of pertinent deed photocopies, including the proposed Beth-Shan property. Excellent source material. Solid source material on the Judge's alcoholism, particularly post-1925 disappointment and subsequent drunken behavior.
Just a brief comment: Bonnie and Bill Heath ("secretaries") purchased what was to become Beth-Sarim. Grant deed and quit claim deeds signed in the presence of Hayden C. Covington. No one believed it was their money.
On 15 February 1939 the Heaths ("of 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn") gave a grant deed to Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society for property to be added to that deeded from Robert Martin (factory overseer at Brooklyn) to Rutherford for life, and for "The Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society"--ampersand and two words ALWAYS referring to the Pennsylvania corporation.
"TO HAVE AND TO HOLD IN TRUST
however for the following purposes to-wit:
"For the use and benefit of J. F. Rutherford, the President of said Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society for and during the period of his life on earth and to be under his control and management during that period,
"and for ever for Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Gideon, Barak, Joseph or any and all of them who are particuly [sic] named and identified at the eleventh chapter of Hebrew in the bible,which is the word of God. [sic] "
"... God, according to His promise, will at a very early date resurrect said men as perfect human creatures and that the Lord will make them the visible princes or rulers in the earth ... these men will soon be back on earth."
An astonishing document, really, along with the other deeds and stuff. Solid book.
Beth-Sarim truly was/is a monument to false prophecy.
I can personally confirm some items that have been published. Fred Franz told me personally, "The old boy was actually buried in the back yard slope below [possibly he said "near"] the house." Was that another reason he and Knorr did not attend the "burial"? It was his task to lay out the ancient worthies theology of Beth-Sarim, which he dutifully did.
That's bringing back memories. Shortly after "Faith on the March," I talked to the aging A. H. MacMillan about Beth-Sarim, and I spoke of my own elevated pulse rate as a boy when shown what I thought to be an enormous door: "David will probably live in that room!" He flat-out stated that the whole idea was to "get the unpredictable Rutherford out of Brooklyn." His reference was to an irrational drunk whom he was obliged to respect as "the Lord's anointed." Mac made no bones about his disdain for the Judge's behavior.
Wonder how Dr. Chang feels about that? And I wonder about how the ancient worthy princes would have decided the pecking order for bathroom privileges.
Farkel? Where are you when I need you.
Maximus
Seriously, if you have some specific question I've missed, VM, let me know.
