WatchTower - Jehovah's Witness History Footnotes

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THE RESTITUTION(Age-To-Come Church of God)January 15, 1918
SETTING UP THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS BOTH A DESTRUCTIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE WORK(Edited)
In the last lesson we learned that it is God's purpose to "send Jesus Christ" to the earth (Acts 3:20) to destroy all the kingdoms which now exist, and to set up a kingdom of his own (Dan. 2:44). We come now to consider the circumstances which will attend this prodigious political transformation. Will Christ creep upon the nations secretly and decimate "the powers that be" quietly, or will he come when wars are prevalent and troubles are rife? Instead of coming to redeem a saved world, according to the misconceptions of orthodox missionary propagandists, he comes in harmony with scriptural representations.
I. When Christ Returns to Establish the Kingdom of God the Earth Is Baptized in Judgment-fire (Isa. 66:15,16; Psa. 50:3-6; Mai. 4:1,2; Jer. 30:23,24; Psa. 21:9; 11:6; Jer. 25:33).
I. To Baptize the Earth in Judgment-fire. The change from the kingdoms of this world to the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ (Rev. 11:15) will be attended by "a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation" (Dan. 12:1). ... To natural, political, and military troubles, without a parallel in history, which cause "men's hearts to fail them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth" (Luke 21:26), will be added God's visible, judicial operations upon the nations. Natural and national perplexities will be supplemented by miraculous retributions. Vengeance of a most deadly kind overspreads the earth. Multitudes perish by war and pestilence; thousands more fall victims to the fire which will descend after the manner of the judgments upon Sodom and Gomorrah (Ezek. 39:6). ...
Revealed in "flaming fire", Christ comes to take vengeance upon sinners, and to destroy them, with an "everlasting destruction ..." (2 Thess. 1:8,9). ... "The slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth" (Jer. 25:33). Out of this world-wide destruction comes this exhortation and warning: "Take heed to yourselves lest ... that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall, come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:34-36). ...
If God's own dear ones, after watching and praying without intermission, "escape" with the skin of their teeth (Job 19:20); if "the righteous scarcely be saved" (1 Pet. 4:1S), are not Russellites, Restorationists, and Universalists in a precarious business when they promise the world "escape" from this world-wide "snare"; and then having escaped, another chance for life after the Lord comes? ... Instead of "strengthening the wicked" to continue in his wickedness by a "promise of life" and a "fair chance" in the coming age; instead of giving the world "Russellite opiates" to put them to sleep in sin, and stereotyped arguments of Universalists to make them feel safe in iniquity, "the man of God" (2 Tim. 3:17) must proclaim the word of God ... "Before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord's anger come upon you. Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger" (Zeph.2:2,3). ...
Russellism pledges to all men an unconditional and non-forfeitable "chance" in the coming age. This false and seductive system of religion promises all who have neither sought the Lord, righteousness, nor meekness, that they shall be "hid in the day of the Lord's anger", that they shall all "escape". It therefore promises more to the world unconditionally than God has promised to his own sons and daughters conditionally. This doctrine of a "fair chance" for all men, both dead and living, in the kingdom age. is the most audacious dogma that has boon invented since theological quacks began to temporize with the word of God.
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III. In Mercy God Remembers Justice. Doubtless the reader now sees with a clear vision that the theory which burns up the globe, depopulates the earth, and translates the saints to heaven when Christ comes is an error which utterly subverts the word of God, since It declares that "the righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth" (Prov. 10:30). "The righteous shall, be recompensed in the earth" (Prov. 11:31). World-burning destroys entirely the kingdom of God, for it leaves no subjects to be governed by it. While these allegations are serious and true, to maintain equilibrium we must also recognize, on the other hand; that the out-flowings of God's mercy are limited like the shafts of his justice. God is just as well as merciful (Rom. 3:26).
At the expense of His justice, Russellism proposes to raise all men from the dead, and then give them a "chance" for eternal life as subjects in the kingdom of God. But the Savior has closed the door in the face of Russellism by these words: "All that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:28). The subterfuge often employed by "fair chance" advocates, that God will be propitious to those who suffer "damnation", amounts to a parody upon the words of our Lord. To change "krisis", (damnation), to a trial or "chance" for life, is precluded by a contrast in the description of those who are raised: "They that have done evil", versus "they that have done good." Those that have "done good" include all the saints; those that have "done evil" embrace all the wicked ... What "damnation" means for one that has "done evil" it means for all. Therefore if damnation means a chance or trial, Judas and all other evil-doers are raised from the dead to be given a "chance" -- none are punished with condemnation! Again, "the resurrection of damnation" stands opposed to "the resurrection of life." What is the opposite of "life"? Not a trial, not a chance; but death!
The Savior says only two classes are raised from the dead -- "they that have done good" and "they that have done evil" -- and he says that "all" who are raised get one of two things, corresponding with what they have "done" in a previous life: they either procure "life" because they have "done good", or they receive "damnation" (death) because they have "done evil". Destiny at the resurrection depends upon what we do in our lifetime; what we sow now we shall reap then. There are only two classes and two destinies spoken of in the Scriptures in connection with the resurrection. Those who "have done evil" have sown to "the flesh" in Pauline phraseology; those who "have done good" have sown to "the spirit" according to the same authority; the "damnation" of which Christ speaks Paul calls "corruption", and the "life" which our Lord mentions is "life everlasting" in Paul's interpretation (Gal. 6:7,8). The opposing destinies of these two classes are called "everlasting life" and "shame and everlasting contempt" by the .prophet Daniel (Dan. 12:2).
These contrasts in the character and destiny of those who are raised from the dead leave not an atom of room, not a space thin as a hair line, for a third class who are said by "Larger Hope" apologists (George Storrs) to emerge from the grave to undergo curative discipline during the millennium. The agricultural law of "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Gal. 6:7), is entirely set aside by these errorists who teach that if we sow nothing we shall reap something. Something is reproduced from nothing! Constitutional passivity blesses all its helpless subjects with a resurrection which is followed by alluring and saving chances and opportunities.
The Scriptures, on the contrary, are clear as a trumpet blast that there is no third class raised from the dead who have done neither good nor evil, who have sown neither to the flesh nor spirit; and whose destiny is neither "life" nor "damnation". No one is given a "chance" to be saved after being raised from the dead. The subjects of the kingdom are taken out of the living people at the coming of Christ. They are selected from the "neutrals" of the time. The word "remnant" means "few of many" (Jer. 42), and is often applied to the subjects of Christ's reign. Every time the Bible uses this word world-burners and Russellites are both rebuked. The first say there is not one man on the earth during the reign of Christ. There can be no "remnant" of nations where there are no nations. The [Russellites] say there are unnumbered hordes of the vile and ignorant raised from the dead and put on probation during the millennium. A "remnant" does not mean a horde. Neither have any use for the word "remnant." The reader will therefore perceive in the propositions hereto appended, and which are amplified and sustained by the word of God, a complete refutation of both the world-burning and "fair chance" theories -- two dogmas which have been invented by the flesh and made popular by the traditions of men.

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THE RESTITUTION (Age-To-Come Church of God)May 18, 1915Staff Editorial
RUSSELLISM DANGEROUS AS THE PAPACY
The errors of Millennial Dawn books are so numerous and glaring that it seems unnecessary to point them out formally. We do not think it is possible for one who really wishes to know the truth as it is in Jesus to be misled by Russell's speculations. One who knows the Shepherd's voice instantly detects the voice of a "stranger" when the "pastor" opens his mouth. His heresies are so self-evident and so outrageous that they are easily recognized by our brotherhood. Just now we recall one claim made by "Pastor" Russell that is enough to discredit him utterly, if he were not discredited by many other things as well. The claim to which we refer is made in "The Watch Tower" of September 15, 1910, page 298, and it is this -- it is safer and better to study his books than the Bible itself! These are his words:
"If the six volumes of the Scripture Studies (referring to his own books) are practically the Bible topically arranged with Bible proofs, we might not improperly name the volumes 'The Bible in An Arranged Form', that is to say, they are not merely comments on the Bible but they are practically the Bible itself, since there is no desire to build any doctrine or thought on any individual preference or on any individual wisdom, but to present the entire matter on the lines of the word of God. We therefore think it safe to follow this kind of reading, this kind of instruction, this kind of Bible study.
"Furthermore, not only do we find that people can not see The Divine Plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also that if anyone lays the Scripture Studies aside, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, if he has read them for ten years -- if he then lays them aside and ignores them, and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood the Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he has merely read the Scripture Studies, with their references, and had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the light at the end of twoyears, because he would have the light of the scriptures."
When any man makes any such claim as this it is unnecessary to read or listen to anything more that he has to say. By such a statement he proves himself to be beyond question a charlatan and religious impostor. This is simply the old Papal error in a new form. The Romish church took the Bible from the people and told them it was safer to study the comments of the saints and the priests on the Bible than to study the Bible itself. Russell is trying to do exactly the same thing, and by that fact is thoroughly discredited, and no intelligent and well-balanced person would care to follow his teaching any further. He is the pope all over again; a little more furtive, perhaps, and for that reason a little more dangerous.
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THE RESTITUTION (Age-To-Come Church of God)February 10, 1915Staff Editorial
CRITICISM OF "MILLENNIAL DAWN"Concerning the Resurrected Body of Christ
I am led to make these remarks by reading what the talented author of "Millennial Dawn" says about the resurrection of Christ, and to expose what he styles "the invisible phase of the kingdom". In Vol. 2, page 122, [Russell] says: "The Lord at his second coming shall assume the human form, as he did to his disciples after his resurrection, but such manifestations would be out of harmony with God's plan." ...
On page 126, [Russell] says [Jesus] had power to appear in a variety of ways, but no one of these bodies was his spiritual body, though the fact of his resurrection was proved by them. Just think of it: the resurrection of our Lord proved by bodies which had never died, and which had never been buried -- proved by bodies made to deceive them, made for the occasion!
[Russell] then adds that Christ was a spirit being really invisible to human sight. ... Just imagine Thomas handling a body that looked and felt like that of his Lord, who had been wounded for our transgressions, and told that it was He, and that He was really alive again, while all the time it was not the Lord's body, but a body made for the occasion, an assumed body! Did they ever discover the fraud, or was its discovery reserved as a laurel for this talented author of the Millennial Dawn?
On page 127, [Russell] says the human body of flesh and bone, and its clothing, which appeared suddenly while the doors were shut, did not go out of the door, but simply disappeared or dissolved into the same elements from which he had created them a few minutes before. ... And yet [Russell] adds, as if not quite so sure: "Doubtless [Jesus] was still with them invisibly." But what religious foolishness!
Again [Russell] says: "Some Christians absurdly conclude that the assumed bodies were his spirit body, and seem to disregard the statement of our Lord that this was not a spirit body." "Assumed bodies" -- where in all the book of God do we read about the "assumed bodies" of our Lord? Where do we read the statement of our Lord that this was not a spirit body that he appeared to them in? ...
This matter is now narrowed down to a question of knowledge or truth. [Russell] says this was not Christ himself, ... "Many suppose that our Lord's glorious body is the same body that was crucified. That is a great mistake, for if would show that it was not perfect, but scarred and disfigured!" ... Do the redeemed hosts agree with Russell in this when they sing "Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood." ... Shall we believe [Russell] or the Redeemed of God?

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THE SECOND ADVENTISTSCelebrated tbe Feast of the Passover in Allegheny Yesterday
The Feast of the Passover was observed yesterday at a meeting of the Second Adventists held in their hall, at 101 Federal street, Allegheny. The ceremonies began at 10 o'clock in the morning and continued throughout the day, under the guidance of Rev. C. T. Russell. There were about 400 persons present. One of the delegates, or colporteurs, Mr. Webb, said his home was in Canada, and that he had traveled 1700 miles to be in attendance. There were others from New York, Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, and West Virginia. There was no proscribed form of ceremony, the attendants confining their addresses to experiences in spreading their faith and reporting on their work. This occupied the entire morning and a portion of the afternoon. At noon, a lunch was served in the hall, and again at 2 and 6 o'clock in the afternoon. Baptismal services were conducted by Mr. Russell at' 2 o'clock, when 10 men and 12 women professed the faith of sect and were received into the organization. In the evening the feast of the passover was celebrated after Rev. Russell had delivered a short address, and all present ate of unleavened bread, signifying the purity of the flesh, as by faith the spirit is pure. There was a choir in attendance and hymns were sung, and at 10 o'clock the ceremony came to a conclusion. These services are observed on Palm Sunday every year. -- Pittsburgh Dispatch, April 15, 1889, edited.

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A new religion has arisen in Mars, [Pennsylvania], or perhaps we should say a new exponent of the old one. These people, called Russellites from their founder and leader met the past two Sabbaths in the Woodmen's Hall, Peters Block. They are Second Adventists, and repudiate eternal punishment. According to their tenets, the world is to be convulsed with revolt and anarchy for ten or fifteen years -- at the end of which the Millennium will begin. Agents have canvassed the town selling books in their interest. They have a small following there, probably ten or a dozen. -- Butler Citizen, August 4, 1904, edited. EDITOR: Butler County adjoins Allegheny County, and Mars, PA is only 15 miles north of Allegheny City. This was 1904. So much for the myth that CTR's expensive activities had made him a household name.
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According to other "Russell" researchers obviously much more capable than ourselves, there was a third female "Director" of the WatchTower Society of Pennsylvania. Clara A. Taylor, an unmarried Bethelite secretary, age 20s, was appointed to the BOD in February 1900 as a replacement for either Maria Russell or Rose Ball. Clara A. Taylor was herself then replaced at the next election in January 1901. Clara A. Taylor had been a Bethelite since 1894.

Clara A.Taylor married a prominent Pittsburgh Russellite when Russell relocated WatchTower HQ to Brooklyn. Clara A. Taylor suffered a premature death. Widower remarried a local IBSA wife. They eventually opposed Rutherford's eventual purge of all things Russell.

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THE POULTRY TRIBUNE

September 1912

ILLINOIS STATE FAIR [HIRES COUNTRY'S BIGGEST CLOWN]

Secretary J. K. Dickirson of the Illinois State Fair, announces that definite contracts have been made for the last of the special attractions for the forthcoming State Fair, October 4-12. The most spectacular feature will be aviation. A fleet of air ships have been engaged for each day, excepting Sunday. There will be a French monoplane, the Nieuport, which is said to resemble a bat, an American monoplane, manufactured by the inventor, Johnson, of Terre Haute, a Curtisstype biplane, and the old fashioned hot air balloon, which will be operated by a woman.

Mule races and pony races have also been provided, and a Cuban woman will slide down an inclined plane in automobile and turn three saults.

There will be a three-team turnout of very black ponies with gold-mounted harness attached to a white-enameled truck. All these features, including aviation events will be given every forenoon, excepting October 4 and 5, when they will take place in the afternoon. The air ships will carry a mail bag with aerial mail out of the fairgrounds every day.

The last day, Saturday, October 12, will be automobile day, and enough cash and trophies are offered to provide sensational driving. Disbrow in a big Simplex, will be the great star, and the last event will be the climax of the Fair of 1912, when an automobile, a motorcycle, a biplane and both monoplanes, will race five miles around the race track.

Pastor Russell, the famous independent divine of Brooklyn and London Tabernacles will deliver a lecture on Sunday on "The Life Beyond the Grave".

The Illinois State Fair this year offers nearly $90,000 in cash prizes, and nearly every department shows an increase in the prize money list.

The new $125,000 sheep and swine pavilion will be completed in time for occupancy during the Fair, at least the contractors are under bond to finish it, and the great Dome building, badly disfigured by the cyclones of last winter, will have a brand new copper dome, in place of the mass of glass it has carried ever since it was built at the Chicago World's Fair. The lower fourteen feet will remain glass, the balance being copper.

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In August 1913, the Tri-State Fair, in Memphis, Tennessee, contracted for "Pastor" Charles T. Russell to appear as the regional Fair's featured Opening Day attraction, but CTR was asked to withdraw his acceptance after the local Ministerial Association jerked a knot in the behinds of the Board of Directors.

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The Wheeling Intelligencer

October 31, 1914

BIBLE CONFERENCE ENDS

INTERESTING TALK ON "RUSSELLISM" WAS FEATURE OF SERVICES

The World's Bible Conference was brought to a successful close ... with the address of Rev. William Edward Biederwolf on the subject of "Russellism," commonly known as "Millennial Dawnism." Rev. Biederwolf spoke, in part, as follows:

"It's a strange thing how easily people are led astray in religious matters. They'll have good sense in every other way, and yet they'll need a commission on sanity to sit on their case when it comes to religion. They'll allow themselves to be roped in, and to be duped, and buncoed, and bamboozled, and hoodwinked by any old sort of a theory as long as it has a few verses of Scripture in it to make it look like it's religion.

"Now, when a man comes tearing along as this man Russell has done, and puts a black eye on all the scholarships of the past, and pretends to handle Greek as though he were a student of the classics, and claims to be the only right interpreter of the Word of God, it is a natural thing to ask for the credentials of a man like this. The second coming of Christ is the pivotal point of his whole teaching. Around this all centers. He says that Christ's second coming took place in 1874, and that all true Christians then in their graves were raised in 1878. He says that Christ and these Christians are here now, but unseen, carrying on a special work, and that in October 1914, Christ will set up his millennial reign, and all present governments will then be overthrown.

"To begin with, the theory itself of the second coming, which he teaches, is all wrong in the first place, the day of the coming of Christ is unknown. But, Russell will not have it so. Now, let us just see where his false teaching concerning the second coming of Christ will lead us. If Christ returned in 1874 only as a spirit being, what became of the body of Christ after his resurrection, and before his return to this earth in 1874, and where is it now?

"Here is where Russell gets himself in a hopeless mess, and makes himself the laughing stock of all right and careful thinking people. He begins by declaring that Jesus Christ was the creation of God; that he was created as a spirit being just as the angels were.

"Next, Russellism declares that, 'Christ, at his incarnation, gave up his spirit being, and that while he walked on earth, he was nothing more than 'a perfect human being'."

All of the theories advanced by Russell in his six volumes on religion were mercifully flayed by the speaker in the course of his address, as compared with the ideas set forth in the teachings of the Bible on religion and in the second coming of Christ. The address as a whole attracted the attention of the audience and was well delivered.

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LECTURE -- Dr. N. H. Barbour, of Boston, will lecture at Franklin Hall ... [Saturday evening, Sunday morning and evening] ... Subject: Prophecy. -- The Dansville Advertiser, December 17, 1874.(edited)

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NELSON BARBOUR AFTER 1873-74 FAILED

Elder Barbour, the eminent Second Adventist who preached two stirring sermons in this village last Sunday, makes March 14th, 1875, the extreme limit of this world's duration. -- The Dansville Advertiser, December 24, 1874. (edited)

Dr. N. H. Barbour, of Boston, will lecture at Franklin Hall ... [Saturday evening, Sunday morning and evening] ... subject: Evidence showing that the gospel age dispensation closes the present year, the kingdom of God to succeed. -- The Dansville Advertiser, March 11, 1875.(edited)

There is a set of deluded chaps in and about Brockport NY led by one calling himself Dr. N. H. Barbour, who proclaims that Christ is to come and set up his Kingdom on Earth on the 6th of next April. -- The Union News, March 27, 1875.

Dr. N. H. Barbour, of Boston, will deliver a series of lectures ... at Second Advent Hall ... Subjects -- "Impending Crisis, Times of the Gentiles, and Advent of Christ. -- The Rochester Evening Express, March 30, 1875.

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NOTICE. -- A general meeting of the Adventists interested in the time of the Lord's return will be held at Second Advent hall, No. 12 south St. Paul street, commencing this (Saturday) evening, May 1st, to continue over the following Sabbath. Elder John H. Paton, of Almont, Mich., D. Cogswell, of Dansville, N.Y., and Dr. N. H. Barbour, of Rochester, will be present. All are invited. -- The Rochester Evening Express, April 27, 1875.

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NOTICE. -- Meeting at the Advent Hall, No. 12 South Paul street, Sunday, July 4th. Elder D. Cogswell, Dansville, is expected to preach at 10 1/2 A.M., Dr. N. H. Barbour at 2 1/2 P.M., and S. Withington, of Springwater, at 7 1/2 P.M. -- The Rochester Evening Express, July 3, 1875.

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The Dansville Advertiser

March 18, 1875

Mathematics vs. Faith (edited)

We had the pleasure of attending on Sunday morning last one of the lectures of elder N. H. Barbour, of Boston, delivered at Franklin hall in this village. The attendance was good, there being present many of our leading citizens and quite a number of persons from out of town. The lecture was preceded by a conference meeting, which was characterized by much devotion and enthusiasm on the part of those who engaged in it. In fact, it resembled somewhat a Methodist love feast.

At 11 o'clock, Elder Barbour commenced his lecture, which occupied an hour. It resembled one of a mathematical professor's class lectures. His subject was sacred chronology, and his manner of dealing with it was clear and frank. There were, he said, some twenty sacred chronologists among whose reckonings there was much difference. Now who is right? The chronology which he had adopted was made up from the Bible. There were several breaks or weak points in biblical chronology, and a majority of chronologists had gone to Josephus to close up these breaks. But he (Barbour) went to the Bible, and had suceeded in making good these defects, not by direct testimony, however, but by inferential testimony. Up to the time of Cyrus, people had kept records by hieroglyphics, which were not always clear as to dates; since then they had need of a written language, and it was easy to reckon time by the eclipses, positively exact, to the day or the very hour. If we reckon rightly, the six thousand years were accomplished in the Jewish year 1873, or according to the modern calendar, tbe Fall of 1873. The speaker had thought that Christ must come at that time, at the exact conclusion of these six thousand years; that if he did not come at that time, sacred chronology, or the reckoning of it, was at fault, and he could believe in it no more. But he had learned something since then, within the past few months, and now saw how nicely it fitted with the scriptures that there should be a period in which God's mercy was displayed -- a time of probation, without which God's character and his word would not be fully exemplified.

One of his favorite methods of reckoning was by the system of Jewish Sabbaths and jubilees of fifty years. The Jews kept the six Sabbaths, but through unbelief, they did not keep the seventh, which is to come, and to be the Sabbath of rest to the children of God. Tbe reckoning of the Sabbaths is proved by the jubilee reckoning, and both point, (if the reckoning be correct) to the closing of the gospel age on the 5th day of April, 1875, and the succession of God's kingdom on the 6th day of April -- at which time Christ will come with all his angels. But the world shall know nothing of his coming any more than the Jews knew of the first advent of our Savior, in whom they did not believe; only those who are born again shall know that the kingdom has come. According to the doctrine of the speaker, those only are born again, in true scriptural sense, who believe as the Second Adventists believe, and who watch for his coming as they watch. The kingdoms of the world are to war against tbe kingdom of Christ, and tbe kingdom of Christ is to overcome the kingdoms of the world. Did the kingdoms of the world know that this was Christ's kingdom they would not war against it, and the scriptures would not be fulfilled.

Now we take it, the Adventists are upon safe ground. So that the world knows not when the kiugdom of God does come, it is perfectly safe for the time to be set, and no one can hold that it has not come when that time arrives. If he does so hold, he is not of the kingdom. In other words, an advocate of this doctrine can place his row of figures and add them up, and fetch tbe conclusion of the gospel dispensation down to the 5th of April, and commence the succession of God's kingdom at the first new moon after the vernal equinox of 1875, which is the 6th day of April, and claim that it has come when that time arrives without fear of contradiction, if none but those who believe with him are allowed to have any evidence of the same.

Never have we had so little faith in the doctrine of our honest enthusiasts as after listening to this lecture by Elder Barbour. This man, apparently candid in all his arguments, who has made sacred chronology the study of many years, looking upon all sides of it, admits the disagreements of the most eminent of chronologists on at least three vital points of reckoning, practically admits that he has changed his mind about the time of the second advent within the past few months, and then goes on to say if now we reckon rightly, and our reckonings seem to prove themselves, there can be no doubt that God's kingdom will suceed on tbe appearance of the first new moon after the vernal equinox of 1875, to wit, the 6th day of April. Could Elder Barbour measure off God's time as he measures off the jubilee periods on his cane, or could he count tbe years of law and of prophecy as he added up the rows of figures on the wall, then might it be admitted that he could make the time of the second advents mathematical demonstration. But it is plain enough to the most casual observer, that he, an honest, earnest man, and that his followers, earnest and devoted seekers after truth, are walking by the eye of sight and not by the eye of faith. The simple assertion of the faithful follower of Christ, "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he will come in his own good time, for he has said it, and I have faith to believe it," is worth a thousand times more than the mathematical statement, "I know that Christ will come at the time of the first moon after the vernal equinox of 1875, namely the 6th day of April, for I have figured it out; and no one shall know of this great coming but those who believe in these figures!"

We do not make these remarks to throw discredit upon this lecture and its believers, neither to provoke discussion. We believe that our friends are worthy of all esteem and that they are devout in their belief -- that the undevout sacred chronologist like "the undevout astronomer is mad." And we admit beforehand that either Elder Barbour or Elder Cogswell could cover our entire paper with figures and scriptural quotations to prove their positions and have enough left to pile up till a mountain they had made.

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Free Lectures At Corinthian Hall, Sunday, September 5th, morning and afternoon. Continuation of the course of lectures commenced In the tent on East avenue Sunday, August 22, -- by Dr. N. H. Barbour. Subjects: -- At 10:30 a. m., "The Gospel Age: its beginning, its end, and its object." At 3 p. m., "The Roman Catholic Church; its past, Its present, and Its future, in the light of history and prophecy, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures." A welcome to all. -- Democrat and Chronicle, September 4, 1875.

Dr. N. H. Barbour, of Rochester, will be preaching in Franklin Hall ... [Sunday morn, aft, and even] ... Subject, Showing from the scriptures that we have reached the harvest or end of this age. -- Dansville Advertiser, October 28, 1875.

Dr. N. H. Barbour, of Rochester, preached in the Methodist church in this village Sunday afternoon on, "The Two Covenants", besides preaching twice in Franklin hall. -- Dansville Advertiser, March 6, 1876.

EDITORS NOTE: There is a story here. Note the "vanilla" sermon preached at the Methodist Church. Franklin Hall was the Second Advent Church of Dansville's regular meeting place. Barbour had preached the funeral of his and Jonas Wendell's friend and associate, Daniel Cogswell, at Dansville's Presbyterian Church on Friday. Me suspects the Methodists may have denied use of their building for Cogwell's funeral, but quickly repented. Afterwards, for at least a while, the Methodists allowed the Second Adventists to use their building.

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NELSON BARBOUR -- CHARLES T. RUSSELL APPRENTICESHIP PERIOD

(Pay particular attention to certain bolded/colored modern verbiage. Sound familiar?)

ALL INTERESTED in the study of the scriptures are cordially invited to the meetings at Corinthian hall tomorrow at 10:30 a.m., and 7:30 p.m., and at Good Templar's hall, corner Stone and Main streets at 3:00 p.m. These meetings are entirely unsectarian. Subjects at Corinthian hall, "The Three Worlds and Gospel Harvest." Addresses by Dr. N. H. Barbour. -- Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, February 3, 1877.

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PREACHING TOMORROW at the Academy of Music, at 10:30 A. M., 3 and 7:30 P. M. Subjects: The Time of Trouble -- Daniel 12:1; the Return of the Jews, and the Dawn of the Millennium. The signs of the times clearly indicate the approach of great events; the disintegration of present institutions -- social, religious and political; the ending of the "times of the Gentiles" -- Luke 21:24; the return of the Jews, and the inauguration of a reign of righteousness -- the Millennium. At the above meeting it is expected to show that we have already entered the "time of trouble" of which so much is said in Scripture, which is to continue forty years, during which every man's hand will be against his neighbor; when "there will be no hire for man, nor hire for beast;" when "the slain of the Lord will be from one end of tbe earth even to the other." The object of which is, that "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess to God." Services will be conducted by Dr. N. H. Barbour and C. T. Russell. The above subjects illustrated by means of large painted charts. Seats free. All are welcome. -- The Buffalo Commercial, February 24, 1877, edited.

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The Buffalo Evening Report

February 27, 1877

"The Millenium" (edited)

Large audiences gathered at the Academy of Music yesterday morning and last evening to listen to the discourses of N. H. Barbour, who, it had been announced would speak of the Millenium, and show from the Bible that we have already entered the "time of trouble" which is to usher it in.

IN THE MORNING, the speaker showed with the aid of an illustrated map or chart that the Bible plan of redemption spans "three worlds", ... followed by the "World to Come" in which are "Ages to Come", ... Proceeding further, the Doctor by referring to various arguments drawn from ... the charts urged that we are at THE END OF THE GOSPEL AGE, and are entering a "time of trouble," ... in the midst of which the kingdoms of this world are to pass into the hands of the Lord, and the millenial reign of righteousness will follow. ...

IN THE AFTERNOON, the Doctor's discourse related principally to the manner of the coming of the kingdom of Christ, ... the "kingdom of God" on earth is to be a spiritual kingdom, under the supervision of the Glorified Church, who are to be "Kings and Priests and reign on the earth," ...

IN THE EVENING, ... he demonstrated to his own satisfaction that ... the so called "end of the world" will transpire in the spring of 1878. As was the harvest in the Jewish dispensation, so is there being a harvest made now preparatory to the "marriage of the Lamb," and Christ will not be seen of men, until that has taken place. Then He will come in all His glory; but before that his chosen ones, who are to reign with Him, will have been taken quietly away.

***

AT ROBINSON'S OPERA-HOUSE, NINTH AND Plum sts. TOMORROW. Dr. Barbour will preach at 3 and 7:30 P.M. Subjects: The Time of Trouble," Dan. xxii:1. The Return of the Jews, Dawn of the Millennium, and The Three Worlds, or Bible Plan of Redemption. The Doctor will show from the Bible that we have already entered the "time of trouble," which is to usher in the Millennium. Seats free. All are welcome. -- Duplicates, The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Cincinnati Daily Star, April 28, 1877, edited.

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CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL - NELSON BARBOUR DISFELLOWSHIPPED

ONE N. H. Barbour, called Dr. Barbour, with his confreres, J. H. Paton and C. T. Russell, is traveling around the country, going everywhere that they can find Adventists, and preaching that Jesus has come secretly, and will soon be revealed, and mingling in their lectures a lot of "Age-to-come" trash, all to subvert their hearers. They are not endorsed by Adventists, "Age-to-come" folks, or anybody else, yet having some money and a few sympathizers they will probably run awhile. They have been to Ohio and Indiana and are working westward. We are credibly informed that one of them boasted in Union Mills, Ind., a few days since, that they would break up every Advent church in the land. We guess not. Their whole work is proselyting. The Lord never sent them on their mission. Give them no place, and go not near them or countenance them. -- ADVENT CHRISTIAN TIMES, July 18, 1877.

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The Advents have fixed upon [December 27, 1877] as the date for the final dissolution of this mundane sphere. -- The Dansville Express, December 27, 1877.

The Second Adventists now declare that the millenium will commence in 1914; thirty-six years from the present time. Measured by the duration of human life, it will seem, to a person of 80 years, a great while to wait. In fact, their prognostications have failed so repeatedly, that most persons of advanced years will approve the wisdom of this adjournment of the millenium over to the next generation. -- The Ogdenburg Journal, January 19, 1878.

Elder N. H. Barbour, of Rochester, will be preaching in Franklin Hall this Sunday ... -- Dansville Advertiser, February 21, 1878.

N. H. Barbour, of Rochester, will deliver three lectures in Stout's Hall, at Honeoye, on Sunday, March 31st. Subject: "The Change of Dispensations". -- Livonia Gazette, March 29, 1878.

CHURCH OF THE STRANGERS

Evangelical, but not denominational, on Court street, corner of Stone street. This place will be opened again for regular religious worship on Sunday, April 27, at 3 P.M., and every Sunday at the same hour. Opening discourse, at the above hour, by Dr. N. H. Barbour. Subject: -- "God's Plan of the Ages for the Salvation of Man, through Christ, the Second Adam: the Ages illustrated by colored charts." All are invited. Seats free. No collection. -- Rochester Evening Express, April 26, 1878.

***

INTENTIONAL EFFORT TO DERAIL CTR'S NEW MAGAZINE?

The Second Adventists, of Rochester, N. Y., led by one, N. H. Barbour, have fixed upon today, July 11, [1879] as the day of final conflagration, and, judging by the temperature for a week or so past, it might be inferred by even the most skeptical that the preliminary arrangements were already in progress. Whether the Lord is on Mr. Barbour's side or not, the thermometer certainly is. -- Lawrence Daily Reporter, July 11, 1879, edited.

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Regular Public Meetings Being Held in Pittsburgh in 1878

The series of lectures by C. T. Russell on "Our Lord's Return" will be delivered at Excelsior Hall, corner Federal and Lacock streets, Allegheny CIty, commencing tomorrow at 3:00 P. M., instead of at Riverview Hall, corner Sixth Street and Duquesne Way, Pittsburgh, as heretofore announced. This change is made to accommodate the increased attendance. On the conclusion of this course of series, the meetings will be held as heretofore at Riverview Hall. -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 21, 1878.

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NELSON BARBOUR LEARNS FROM CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL

BARBOURITES NOT "SECOND ADVENTISTS" EITHER

The Express

Rochester, New York

[National Comvention] (edited)

August 29, 1881

About seventy-five*** members of the "Churoh of the Ecclesia," from abroad, yesterday morning attended the opening service of the [ten day] national convention of that body which is to be held during the present week, at the Church of the Stranger, on the corner of Court and Stone streets. Dr. N. H. Barbour, of this city, conducted the services. At the afternoon session, [Arthur] P. Adams***, of Beverly, Mass., spoke and at 6:30 Dr. Barbour lectured. (*** A. P. Adams and wife was one of the first Methodist Minister couples led into heresy by Charles Taze Russell. The most non-married delegates from one general area was NINE -- Greater Pittsburgh. This is just one more paragraph in the book entitled, "CTR: To Know Him Is To Despise Him".)

The members of the "Church of the Ecclesia" believe in the second coming of Christ, but differ from the Second Adventists in that they hold that the world is not to be destroyed. Dr. Barbour says: "We believe that the Second Advent will take place in October 1881, and that during the next seven years the church will be made incorruptible. At the end of seven years, the dead in Christ will be raised incorruptible, and then fulfil the saying: 'For this corruptible must be put on incorruption;' and in that condition we shall remain in this incorruptible flesh and life until the end of one thousand years. After this seven years is ended, in which the church shall put on incorruption, we believe that the seven last plagues will be poured out upon mankind, and for thirty-three years the world will pass through a baptism of flre. At the end of thirty years, Christ will take his seat on his throne, and reign over the nations; 'and all peoples and nations and languages shall serve and obey him.'"

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JOHN H. PATON

The following trip to B. W. Keith's hometown would have been done under the auspices of Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society during the brief period between the end of Paton's relationship with Barbour and the soon end of Paton's relationship with CTR.

Eld. J. H. Paton of Almont, Mich., will preach at Whiteman's hall next Saturday evening ... [Sunday morn, aft, and evening] ... A cordial invitation is extended to all. -- The Dansville Express, May 13, 1880.

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HUGH BROWN RICE

Shortterm long distance associate of Charles Taze Russell and Nelson Barbour, Hugh Brown Rice, of California, and publisher of the short-lived magazine, THE LAST TRUMP, was variously a Presbyterian Minister and a Christian Church minister, who once pastored in Norwalk, Ohio, and thus knew some of the Norwalk Second Adventists who personally knew Jonas Wendell and George Stetson, and later, Charles Taze Russell and Benjamin Keith.

Just like CTR, Hugh Rice had problems being completely honest with public disclosures, and such may have occurred when he probably was forced to closed out THE LAST TRUMP after only a few months of publication. In May 1879, Rice was selected for a Los Angeles Grand Jury. Given that Rice was likely doing everything required to be done with THE LAST TRUMP, impanelment would have been enough to put the new magazine out of business.

Obviously, not needed to connect H. B. Rice to Second Adventism, the THE LAST TRUMP's "motto", which appears unpublished until now, will put any question to rest:

"Devoted specially to the investigation of

the time, manner, and object of the second coming of our Lord."

***

The "Disciples of Christ," who have recently organized an "Oakland Mission,'' have made arrangements to meet hereafter in the Advent Chapel, corner Thirteenth and Clay streets, instead of under Dietz Opera House. Mr. Hugh B. Rice, who claims to be simply a "Gospel Preacher" of the primitive order, will preach every Lord's day at 11 a.m. The Sunday school will be at 9:30 a.m. -- Oakland Tribune, August 18, 1877.

In the 1890s, after returning to live in Oakland, H. B. Rice associated with a "Straud" who co-hosted Rice's funeral in 1905. This may have been William Lee Stroud, or a relative, who edited the religious magazine, EUSEBIUS, given that Rice had a couple of insertions, or even possibly more under a nom de plume.

Note that Rice's always-present financial problems apparently disappeared during the last two decades of his life operating a travel agency. One obituary declared that Rice was one of the best known men in Los Angeles in 1905. Rice had recently vacationed in eastern Canada, Europe, and the Far East.

***

CHRISTADELPHIAN

The April 1880 ZION'S WATCH TOWER was the last issue in which H. B. Rice was listed as a "Regular Contributor" -- without explanation. Here's why. Apparently, Hugh Rice had become part of the "Christadelphian" branch of the Age-To-Comers. We know that this is H. B. Rice because this was one of at least five weekends that Rice preached at this church during April-May 1880.

Some New Doctrines. Mr. [H. B.] Rice's theme for this evening's lecture at the Christian Church on Sutter street, between Main street and Weber Avenue, will be: "The Unpardonable Sin." Tomorrow evening, "The riches which Jesus laid aside for us not up in Heaven." On Sunday at 2 oclock, "The answer to Pilate's question, 'What is truth?'" and at 7 1/2 o'clock Sunday evening the theme will be "The Devil not an immortal fallen angel." The object will be to show from the Scriptures that no such being exists. If "The Devil" has any friends in Stockton who wish to defend him, Mr. Rice invites them to attend. The lectures are free to all. -- Stockton Mail, April 23, 1880.

***

Attends 1888 COG Conference in Philadelphia

After ever so diplomatically separating himself from the grips of the two nutjobs Charles Taze Russell and Nelson Barbour, around 1879-80, H. B. Rice began associating with Richard Corbaley and other California Age-To-Come Second Adventists who also had had shortterm relationships with Charles Taze Russell, but had quickly terminated such.

Around 1883-84, a new Brooklyn-based second adventist "Association for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge", had been founded by a handful of disaffected Second Adventists -- many of whom were Age-To-Comers. The Association shamelessly proclaimed itself to be "non-sectarian" (does that ring a bell?), with its main purpose to be the teaching of a "pure christianity", all while promoting "conditional immortality", and the pre-millennial advent and reign of Jesus Christ. See Brooklyn "Church of the Blessed Hope" pastored by George Kramer.

That small group had limited success, so arranged with other Age-To-Comers across the country to hold a General Conference in Philadelphia from November 16-26, 1888, at the Philly COG church pastored by C . C. Ramsay. Apparently, Hugh B. Rice attended that 1888 COG Conference given the fact that Rice and Ramsay spent the following month attempting to resurrect a closed church in Wilmington, Delaware, which once had been affiliated with the "Association for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge", and had even been pastored by George Storrs' disciple Rufus Wendell from 1882-84.

The congregation of the Household of Faith will hold services in King Street Baptist Meeting House today. Hugh B. Rice, of California, will preach this morning on "The Bread From Heaven", and this evening on "God's Plan". Elder William Sivel, of Philadelphia, will conduct a testimony meeting at 3:00 p.m. -- The Sunday Morning Star, Wilmington, Delaware, December 2, 1888.

The Household of Faith congregation will have services in its former place of worship, on Tatnall street, between Seventh and Eighth, tomorrow. Elder Hugh B. Rice, of California, will preach in the morning, and Elder C. C. Ramsay, of Philadelphia, in the evening. At a meeting to be held at 3:00 p.m., there will be taken an expression of opinion relative to repurchasing the church building. -- The Sunday Morning Star, Wilmington, Delaware, December 16, 1888.

CHURCH OF THE SECOND ADVENT, ... C. C. RAMSAY, Pastor. 10:45 -- The second discourse of the series on "The Coming of the Lord." 7:45 -- Elder Sivel: subject -- "Spirit Worship". Mission, ... 7:45 -- The Pastor, "The Millennial Age". -- The Philadelphia Record, April 14, 1888.

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MORE SCHOLARLY OBFUSCATION

***

ELEAZER OWEN -- THE REST OF THE STORY

The Historical Revisionists have yet again twisted history in their unceasing attempts to obscure early WatchTower Cult history. This time it regards yet another unstable "flash in the pan" Second Adventist named Eleazar Owen. Eleazar Owen, of New Hampshire, visited the Pittsburgh Second Adventists in September 1875 -- probably looking for a job, possibly at the private recommendation of the ultimate unstable Second Adventist known as George Storrs.

Eleazar Owen had been an early-30s seminary-trained Connecticut minister, from Massachusetts, who apparently got caught up in one of the latter 1860s Second Advent predictions, and converted to the ACC in 1867. Owen returned to Massachusetts and pastored the Westfield ACC, and while "running hot", soon became an officer in the Mass ACC conference for a few short years. Owen survived the multiple latter-1860s disappointments -- probably by refocusing on 1873/74. After the 1873/74 disappointment, Eleazar Owen's newest "shiny object" became "George Storrs-ism", and whatever the latest version of "Storrs-ism" entailed. In September 1875, this small timer somehow wound up visiting the Second Adventists in Pittsburgh -- with George Storrs being the common denominator. Owen made such an impression on Joseph Russell that JLR thought his name was "Owens" in JLR's report to Storrs.

When nothing came from his visit to Pittsburgh, Eleazar Owen and the ACC soon parted company. Owen claimed to have resigned before being disfellowshipped from the ACC. In any event, in less than six months after Eleazar Owen returned home from Pittsburgh, Owen joined the FREEWILL BAPTISTS -- reopening a closed FB church in April 1876. Eleazar Owen died a Freewill Baptist Minister in 1896.

***

Charles Taze Russell -- Early Christadelphian Association

"If Russell and [J. H.] Thomas associated on any sort of friendly basis, ... .

We do not know what connection Lucius [Thomas] had with Clowes or Russell."

Newbies first should be aware that CTR published in the June 1881 ZWT a lengthy extract from a published public lecture that Christadelphian Dr. J. H. Thomas had delivered in Pittsburgh. That is most researchers first lead to CTR's early courtship with Christadelphianism. That unavoidable fact presents a major problem for those "scholars" whose agenda is to whitewash CTR's messy history.

What have those "scholarly" whitewashers done? The same thing that they did to B. W. Keith and others -- they twist what they cherry-pick to disclose and secret whatever disproves their agenda. In this case, they simply ignored the feces, and jumped straight to the easily predictable "divorce", which always occurred between CTR and his "lovers", and used such to disclaim earlier association and influence.

In fact, JHT's brother, Dr. L. C. Thomas, not only "associated on a friendly basis" with CTR, Clowes, and other members of CTR's first congregation, but Dr. L. C. Thomas even quickly became the main speaker at multiple meetings in early-to-mid 1879. When Dr. J. H. Thomas relocated to Pittsburgh in late summer 1879, he too was given the pulpit on an increasing frequency. Whatever disagreements eventually later developed did not stop CTR from publishing the aforementioned 1881 ZWT article.

It took us little time and effort to discover the answers to "scholar's" published "questions", but given their time and efforts spent supporting their agenda, ... . PS: Henry Cornman was JHT's BIL.

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SECOND ADVENTIST PRESIDENTIAL ASSASSIN

In the April 1882 ZION'S WATCH TOWER, future ZWTTS Director William Mann briefly mentioned Charles Guiteau as a bringer of "odium" on Babylon the Great. How little Mann knew. Like someone else we know, Charles J. Guiteau claimed to be an "unaffiliated" believer in an imminent "Second Advent" after doing his own biblical research during the mid 1870s. Thereafter, Charles Guiteau authored a book entitled, "THE TRUTH". Charles J. Guiteau also traveled and lectured in undocumented locations. It is known that Charles Guiteau visited California and Boston, and had lectured in Wisconsin in Summer 1877. Charles Jules Guiteau also lectured in Washington D.C. in 1881.

GO AND HEAR CHARLES J. GUITEAU, (A Chicago lawyer and theologian,) on "Christ's Second Coming," and get some new and valuable ideas. He will show that the final judgment is now close at hand. See posters at the hotels and stores. Congregational Church, Friday, December 7, eight p. m. Admission twenty-five cents. -- The National Republican,Washington D.C.,December 6, 1877.

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KING CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL FOOTNOTE

Brooklyn

May 26, 1913

Hon. William Jennings Bryan, Secretary of State, U. S. A.

Dear Sir:

I am addressing you, and through you the Hon. President of this nation, and the honorable members of congress upon a subject which I believe to be of prime importance to our nation and to the world. I would have preferred to make this communication a private one, but believe that its object will be much better served if it be known at home and abroad that the suggestion comes from a native citizen, a minister of the gospel and an ambassador of Christ, rather than if the same suggestions were to emanate from some official of our government or from a politician.

The World's Peace Endangered

A year ago I visited Japan and observed the congested conditions there prevailing, and learned that her population is increasing very rapidly, while every foot of arable land is under "Intense" cultivation. Japan's need for room for her overflow population has already led her to grasp Korea, and it is no secret that she longs for possession of the Philippine Islands, and would be glad of a reasonable pretext for taking possession of them. Many broad-minded Americans have suggested that the United States has no desire to acquire colonies in an imperial sense, and that, therefore, the Philippine Islands should be surrendered to the Filipinos. The only objection urged against this move is that the Filipinos are not as yet sufficiently advanced in civilization to properly govern themselves. And those most intimate with the situation have not the slightest doubt that if the United States withdrew from the Philippines, the Japanese government would immediately take control, and would be inundated with Japanese -- undoubtedly to their benefit as the latter people are more thrifty and prudent and energetic than the Filipinos.

Some Startling Suggestions.

I suggest that the United States government select from amongst the Philippine Islands one island suitable as a naval base, and tender to Japan the opportunity to take over the Philippine Islands at precisely the same they have cost the United States. This would give our neighbors of the Far East exactly what they want, at no price at all compared with the cost of war. Additionally, it would make them our friends and surely all Americans desire a world-wide friendship with all nations. I advise that this step be taken speedily, because there is a "jingo" party in Japan bent upon the acquirement of the Philippines, which party will always be ready to take advantage of such trifles as the California alien law to incite hatred against the United States and to force their government, against its judgment, to seize the Philippines.

It is human nature for the Japanese to want those islands -- to feel that they need them. It is practical common sense to say that they can take them whenever they are ready. The Unites States could not retake the Philippines except at the expense of many lives and thousands of millions of dollars -- if at all.

Our Japanese neighbors flushed with their victory over the Russian navy, and courageous and proud-spirited, anyway, realize fully their ability to capture the Philippines and probably to hold them but they do not realize that a war with America would he a very different one from that with Rusia -- that American pride and valor would spend thousands of lives and thousands of millions of dollars, rather than surrender to Japan. Pride, courage, self-esteem, confidence, on both sides are the real dangers. Surely wisdom should dictate to both nations that, in the interest of peace, cause for friction should be as far as possible eliminated. I believe that no more fair, no more just, no more honorable method for adjudicating this matter can be found than that we are suggesting -- the sale of the islands at cost to the Japanese.

Japan would give the Philippines a splendid government -- better, I believe than would any other nation under the sun except our own government. No one can visit the Philippines with out feeling pride for what America has done for that people -- and one in so unselfish and noble a manner, as an elder brother amongst the nations helping a younger brother. Under no circumstances would I favor turning the Philippines over to the domination of a barbaric people. The Japanese are not barbarians, but highly civilized.

My discourse in Washington, May 25th, "Peace Desirable, War a Necessity", was evidently misunderstood by some of my peace friends. While I claimed that nations have never been able to avoid war, and that, they never will be able to wholly avoid it until the inauguration of Messiah's kingdom, nevertheless I believe that all lovers of peace, should unite their hearts and voices and pens and every energy in removing all unnecessary friction between nations, by doing in advance those things which would make for peace and by promoting them. For instance, if the move I am suggesting were delayed until the Japanese had made an attack upon the Philippines, it would be too late. American pride would never consent to an overture of sale under distress, nor would the Japanese probably be willing to purchase them. Now seems to be the psychological moment, and, as stated at first, it seems best that these suggestions should come from an ambassador of Christ, rather than from a politician of any party, so that partisan feeling may not interfere, but our nation as a whole approve and uphold and carry speedily forward this peace-promoting measure. I call for its endorsement by peace societies and all who believe that war should be only a last resort.

Faithfully yours, a servant of the Lord Christ Jesus,

C. T. Russell

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The Millennial Dawn. This volume, in common with all the writings of the Second Adventists, is introduced by copious quotations of scripture bearing more or less directly on the subject in hand. ... The whole idea of Christ's personal reign on the earth is merely a revamping of the Jewish idea of the Messiah's kingdom. ... It has been said that the book lacks clearness. This is not said unkindly. Uncertainty is the controling element in the whole case which consists in an attempt to pry into that which God has wisely concealed. ... Each man sets out with a certain theory, and warps the fact to suit it. -- Iron County Register, March 10, 1887, edited.

***

The fourth volume of what seems to be a serial work under the general title of "Millennial Dawn" comes fresh and, it would be quite proper to say, hot from the press of the Tower Publishing Company of Allegheny, Pa. It is referred to by the publishers as "a helping hand for Bible students." The writer professes to be an interpreter of the signs of the times as well as of the Bible, and his conclusion is that things are getting worse and worse, and that the nations are hastening on to their judgment. Like all persons who have a special theory to advocate, he turns everything into grist for his mill. The prophecies of the Bible all point in one way -- his way. All who have presumed to differ from his conclusions are faise prophets. It is such books that tend to make intelligent people disgusted with the Bible and its professed interpreters. -- THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1898.

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CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL: DOCTRINAL "SIFTER", or "WHOLESALE THIEF"?

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

May 29, 1866

MESSIANIAN EVANGELICAL SECOND Advent Conference, of Pennsylvania, will hold its annual session in Washington Hall, S. W. corner of EIGHTH and SPRING GARDEN Streets. The opening sermon will be preached by Rev. L. OSLER, of Providence, R. I. this Tuesday evening, the 29th of May. Morning session on Wednesday, at 10 1/2 o'clock. The Conference Sermon will be preached in the evening by Rev. W. H. SWARTZ, of Massachusetts. Ministers and members of all Evangelical Churches are cordially invited to attend and join us in the discussion of the following great and important questions: --

First. Is the coming of Christ a spiritual or a literal personal event.

Second. Is there probation extended to man after the coming of Christ.

Third. Is the Millennium to be in the new earth or on the old earth.

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TAKE ME TO PAGE THREE OF THIS HISTORY SECTION

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TAKE ME BACK TO PAGE ONE OF THIS HISTORY SECTION

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DIVORCE, BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS, AND OTHER LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

EMPLOYMENT ISSUES UNIQUE TO JEHOVAH'S WITNESS EMPLOYEES