Olin R. Moyle was the Society's attorney from about 1930 to 1939. He authored several of the Society's legal publications. He later became increasingly disenchanted with the moral tone of Bethel, especially the harsh and obscene language Judge Rutherford used (often in print) and what he considered to be excessive drinking there. When Moyle could no longer tolerate the situation, he wrote a letter to Rutherford with his complaints, Rutherford responded by promptly expelling him and his wife from Bethel. He continued his association with a local congregation in his home town in Milwaukee, WI. Rutherford not satisfied with just expelling him from Bethel instructed the congregation to disfellowship him, which they did. Later Moyle circulated a typeset of letters which discussed some of his complaints. Included was his letter to Rutherford (dated July 21, 1939), his letter to the Milwaukee, WI Congregation relative to his disfellowshipping "under orders from the Society's president" dated September 25, 1940, and an additional letter dated May 18, 1940, addressed to Rutherford outlining his objections to certain Bethel practices. He charged Rutherford with "a glorification of alcohol," "filthy and vulgar language," "ill treatment of the Bethel family," as well as unscriptural practices such as "strong criticism of marriage," a practice discouraged until Knorr himself married.
The Watchtower's response to this tract was to print a condemnation of Moyle (see Watchtower, September 1, 1939, p. 258 and October 15, 1939, pp. 316-17). Moyle in turn sued the Watchtower Society and won (see The Golden Age, December 20, 1944, p. 21; and June 23, 1943, pp. 27-28). During the appeal, the damages were reduced from $30,000.00 to $15,000.00. Peter Moyle (Olin's son) sided with the Society (see Watchtower 1939, p. 382 for letter Peter wrote). Peter eventually left the Society, wandered around various Bible Student groups, converted to Judaism and eventually became agnostic.
Olin Moyle after his depature, associated with the Pastoral Bible Institute, during the 1930s. He is listed as a pilgrim, and authored at least one article. He eventually left and started his own group and began publishing the Bible Student Inquirer, later renamed Bible Student Examiner. When Moyle died, Henry Wallis took over. Wallis died in 1982 and the journal died with him.
Wallis joined the Bible Students in 1922 after seeing the Photo Drama. He read all six volumes in 2 months, associated with the Baltimore Ecclesia and a year later was elected elder. When Rutherford became president, Wallis grew disenchanted, but stayed wuntil 1932. While working with Rutherford, Wallis described him as a "proud, dictatorial autocrat." Between 1932 to 1950 Wallis studied with a small group of friend. and in 1950 was introduced to Moyle's work. He contributed articles for about 4 years and became an associate editor, later editor after the death of Moyle.
The last of the Moyle's, Edna Moyle, Peter's wife died a few years ago, she lived at the Bible Students Retirement Center. Accordingly, they are still waiting for the Society to pay. With her gone and no heirs, that's unlikely.
I have a few issues of Moyle's journal. I also live about 15 miles from Princeton Universty where Moyle left all his legal and personal papers, including his library. Been tempted to go and visit ... someday I guess.
RR
[I share this in addition to what was published June-October 2009 issue of The Free Minds Journal by Barbara Anderson]