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UPDATED JANUARY 2025

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We generally do not want to waste our time duplicating the same research that is supplied by other websites, and several other related websites have a webpage devoted to "WatchTower Racism". However, every time that we accidentally visited one of those other "WatchTower Racism" webpages looking for something else, we not only noted excerpts from WatchTower literature which we did not believe to be "racist", but we noted conclusions and commentary which simply were unwarranted. For two decades, we have been warning the XJW community that such overreaching only makes XJWs appear as dishonest, and adds to the image of the WatchTower Cult as a victim of unfair criticism.

Admittedly, like "pornography", racism is in the eye of the beholder. We have found and included NUMEROUS examples of "WatchTower Racism" NOT previously found by WatchTower critics, and NOT previously published by WatchTower critics, but we also have EXCLUDED several excerpts found on similar websites which we do NOT believe to be racist, and/or should not be attributable to the WatchTower Society. Holding Charles Taze Russell or some other WatchTower official responsibile for every single comment made within a third or even fourth party quote intended to document the point of Russell's own assertion isn't fair -- especially given that, despite his denials, Russell actually WAS lightly burdened with racial prejudice, just as was practically every person of his time, be they "white", "colored", or whatever.

Researchers simply need to take the time to find examples in his WatchTower publications of Russell's racial prejudice published when Russell accidentally revealed such at a time when he did not have up his racism guard. Why? Because, Russell's cult followers then and now believed Russell's WatchTower publications to be God's selected vehicle for the delivery of "the truth".

Visitors will soon note that often we have included much more of the surrounding article in our excerpts. We did NOT do such simply to make our own webpage larger than other similar webpages. If we have included more contextual material in our excerpt, then such was necessary to fully understand that excerpt. DO NOT use our excessive bolding, underlining, and coloring to "short-cut" your reading. We intend our website to be educational, and if we included the surrounding material, then we expect our visitors to read such.     

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The following 1956 NAACP article is included for its historical documentation of the WATCHTOWER SOCIETY as it then existed as late as the 1950s.

N.A.A.C.P.

"The Crisis"

January 1956

"Jehovah's Witnesses and Racial Prejudice"

This author explains why it is wrong to speak of Jehovah's Witnesses as a "religion of integration".

By Werner Cohn (Edited)

Jehovah's Witnesses, selling literature on street corners and going from house to house with a message of impending Armageddon, have become a familiar sight in recent years. There are perhaps 150,000 of them in this country, and about half are Negro. ... 

But most of us generally see the [Jehovah's] Witnesses only from afar: we might read about them in the newspapers or have one of them preach to us in a reluctantly-opened doorway. Unfortunately such superficial contact is misleading in regard to the nature and meaning of the group, for the [Jehovah's] Witnesses are not altogether what they seem to be. ... here I shall deal briefly with those aspects that concern the relationship of the [Jehovah's] Witnesses to the Negroes.

The Negro press carries a great deal of material about the organization, especially at times of [Jehovah's] Witness conventions. [Jehovah's] Witness doings are important news for these periodicals because the number of Negro [Jehovah's] Witnesses is comparatively large and their devotion and articulateness is unusually high. Their influence, consequently, far exceeds their numbers. ... [Jehovah's] Witness doctrines find a particularly fertile soil in the Negro community. For all these reasons there is good and sufficient cause for the large quantity of [Jehovah's] Witness news in the Negro press.

But the quality -- that is to say the reliability -- of almost all this material is very unsatisfactory. Invariably, the [Jehovah's] Witnesses are falsely pictured to represent a racially integrated group, eager to practice the Christian ideal of racial equality. The reason why so much wrong information finds its way into the Negro press is twofold: on the one hand, the [Jehovah's] Witnesses are interested in more and more Negro recruits, and they use professional public relations people to create a favorable impression in the Negro community. On the other hand, editors of Negro periodicals too often accept these [WatchTower Society PR Dept] publicity handouts freely and uncritically. The result is that the [Jehovah's] Witnesses are described to the Negro public, to quote some phrases plucked at random from Negro periodicals, as "the religion of racial integration", as "God's army on the march", in which "love is the binding tie that holds the organization together", etc., etc.

NEGRO'S ROLE

But what are the facts of the Negro's role in the organization? While many of the more conventional denominations -- notably the Catholic Church -- make real efforts at racial integration in their services in Southern states, the [Jehovah's] Witnesses practice a very rigid racial segregation there. All Southern states, and most border areas as well, have separate [Jehovah's] Witness companies (local congregations) for Negroes and whites; a town as far north as Asbury Park, New Jersey, has racial segregation in the [Jehovah's] Witness organization. All over the South there are separate "circuits" [districts of 20+ congregations] for the two races, and in the Southwest there are actually three separate [types of] circuits: Negro, white, and Spanish. Until recent years, Negro [Jehovah's] Witnesses were not invited to the national conventions of the organization, being furnished, instead, with jim-crow gatherings.

While, as I have mentioned, about one half of the membership of the [Jehovah's] Witnesses is Negro, the leadership is almost completely white. When I visited [WatchTower Society] national headquarters in Brooklyn in 1952, I was told that there were only two Negroes in the headquarters staff of over four hundred; one Negro worked in the mailing room, the other was a linotypist. The national organizational work, the editing and writing, the supervision of the various departments -- all these functions were the exclusive provinces of the white members. The [Jehovah's] Witness report of their 1953 International convention throws further interesting light on the role of the Negro in the organization. All of the top [Jehovah's] Witness leaders appear in pictures in the report; but there is no picture in which an American Negro is identified as a leader. Two foreign Negroes are pictured as delegates from African countries, and what appear to be American Negroes are pictured as "cleaning up| the kitchen", another [Jehovah's W]itness, apparently Negro, is pictured as helping in the immersion exercises. It is difficult indeed to escape the impression that the role which the Negro plays in the [Jehovah's] Witness organization is very similar to that traditionally assigned him by the least enlightened sections of white society: he is regarded as best kept separate and not quite equal; often he is merely "cleaning up the kitchen" while his white brother does all the important theologizing.

REAL RACIAL ATTITUDES

Since [WatchTower Society] periodicals are primarily designed for the instruction of members and close sympathizers, they reflect the true racial attitudes of the [Jehovah's] Witness leadership much more faithfully than do the press releases designed for public consumption. [AWAKE! magazine] of April 22, 1953, counsels against inter-marriage between Negroes and whites. [THE WATCHTOWER magazine], on April 15, 1953, and again on May 1, 1953, describes practices of African [Jehovah's] Witnesses in which races are kept apart as a matter of course ... . On October 8, 1953, [AWAKE! magazine] carried an article defending the apartheid policy of the South African government, declaring that: "South Africa's whole color policy is conditioned by this fact and this fear: 80 per cent of her population is black; if the color bar is breached, what new dike can stop a black flood from overflowing and destroying the civilization with which white men have displaced the wilderness?"

During both world wars, [Jehovah's] Witnesses maintained a neutral, pacifist, "curse on both your houses" policy; they were not concerned over any possible threats to the countries in which they lived. The sudden [Jehovah's] Witness concern over South African white civilization, in this context, is an indicator of a racial prejudice that is as violent as one is likely to encounter anywhere. ... ...

The question that remains, however, is why, with an atmosphere so obviously hostile to Negro integration, Negroes nevertheless find themselves attracted in such considerable numbers to the [Jehovah's] Witness organization. To understand this paradox we must, for a moment, concern ourselves with the nature and social sources of the sect as such. Jehovah's Witnesses constitute a PROTEST ORGANIZATION OF THE SPIRITUALLY DISINHERITED. People belong to it who have a vague and general feeling that the world is no good; for one reason or another, they think of themselves as having been left out of things. [WatchTower Society] doctrines make a powerful appeal to this feeling of being excluded. And given a world in which Negroes actually are excluded from many of the benefits of society, it is indeed not surprising to find many of them in this kind of protest organization.

PROTEST IRRATIONAL

The protest of the [Jehovah's] Witnesses, of course, is so extreme and so irrational that not much good can possibly come from it. The [Jehovah's] Witnesses reject not only the particular order of things in our present world, but they reject, in short, the world as a whole, putting their whole trust in a future God-made holocaust which they deduce from their dubious interpretations of the book of Revelation. They have no fundamental interest in anything in this world: things as they are are to them simply irrelevant. That is why they preached that it would not make any essential difference whether Hitler or the Allies won [World War II]; that is why they do not see any important difference between democracy and Communism. And that's why, also, their Negro members cannot get excited about injustice to their people, either in the country as a whole or in their own [Watchtower Society] organization. AFTER ARMAGEDDON, presumably, everything will automatically be straightened out, so why worry about any of the arrangements in the here and now, arrangements that according to [Watchtower Society] doctrine can only be temporary?

In effect, the [Jehovah's] Witnesses have given up all hope in the potentialities of the human race. Their vision of God is one in which Man is passive and has no say. For those of us who do not share this vision, there remains the task of making a better world through our own efforts. No results of ours, of course, can ever be as spectacular as the ARMAGEDDON of the [Jehovah's] Witnesses' fantasies; but unspectacular results that happen are ultimately more satisfying than the spectacular ones that don't.

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IF YOU WILL SELL "WATCHTOWERS" , YOU WILL SELL ANYTHING

MARTIN LUTHER KING ASSASSIN & WIFE 

FINANCIALLY BEFRIENDED BY PROMINENT JEHOVAH'S WITNESS OFFICIAL

"James Earl Ray, serving a 99-year prison term for the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., will put up for sale next month some of the paintings he has done while behind bars, his wife says. Ray, convicted following the 1968 slaying of the civil rights leader, began painting shortly after he married Knoxville artist Anna Sandhu in 1978. ... A joint show by Ray and his wife is set for March 1-15 at The Art Galley in Oak Ridge. The gallery's owner, Kenneth Waytho, said Tuesday he hadn't seen Ray's work, but 'I believe his name alone would create some demand.'" -- ASSOCIATED PRESS, February 1980, edited.

A joint art show featuring work by [James Earl] Ray and his wife ... is set for March 1-15 at The Art Galley in Oak Ridge. Kenneth [Waytho], owner of the gallery, said Ray ... will have five acrylic paintings for sale. "There may be some demand for his work simply because of his notoriety", [Waytho] said. ... [Waytho] said he has been carrying Mrs. Ray's work for more than a year, and originally planned to include only her paintings. "But she approached me and said James has completed some paintings, and she wondered if he could be included," [Waytho] said. "So I said, 'Why not?'" -- UPI, February 1980, edited. 

Kenneth Waytho was a Brooklyn native who along with his wife received their first assignment from the WatchTower Society as a Special Pioneer couple, in Illinois, in 1957, when both were still mere teenagers. In 1959, the Waytho couple became two of the youngest Jehovah's Witnesses ever to attend Watchtower Bible School of Gilead for foreign missionary training. They were assigned to Peru where they served four years -- two years of which were in the traveling Circuit Overseer work. Due to health issues, they were relocated to Tennessee, in 1963, where they served both English and Spanish congregations until 2025.

Do the math! The Rays were married in October 1978. Ken Waytho stated in February 1980 that he had been selling Anna Ray's paintings "for more than a year". That would have been just after the previously unknown Anna Ray had received a month or so of nationwide publicity due to her marriage to MLK's killer. Ken Waytho had been using the name and notoriety of James Earl Ray to sell Anna's paintings "for more than a year" before Waytho did so to sell JER's own paintings.

Does anyone else suspect that the Waytho couple, who were professional religious proselytizers, had more than a business relationship with James Earl Ray and Anna Ray???

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WATCHTOWER SOCIETY FOUNDER CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL

PRESIDES AT 1908 FUNERAL OF THEN HIGHEST RANKING CONFEDERATE OFFICER--SOLDIER  

The funeral of Alexander P. Stewart, late lieutenant-general in the Confederate army, who died at Biloxi, Miss., last Sunday, will be held here this afternoon at the home of his son, A. C. Stewart. The services will be military in character and the rites at Bellefontaine Cemetery, where interment will take place, will be in charge of the United Confederate Veterans. The services at the residence will be attended by the United Confederate Veterans, the Sons of [Confederate] Veterans, and the St. Louis branch of the Daughters of the Confederacy. The Rev. Dr. [Charles Taze] Russell of Pittsburgh, who was an intimate friend of the general will officiate. The pall bearers have been chosen from the Sons of [Confederate] Veterans, and several of the honorary pall bearers were members of Gen. Stewart's headquarters' escort during the civil war. Many prominent Confederates from other cities are in St. Louis to take part in the obsequies of their former commander. -- The New York Evening Post, September 3, 1908.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Charles Taze Russell absented himself for two days from the middle of the annual WatchTower Convention so that he could travel to St. Louis and preside over General A. P. Stewart's Funeral. There, Charles Taze Russell and the Sons of Confederate Veterans provided a military funeral and burial befitting General Stewart, who was the "ranking Confederate survivor" at the time of his death. At the head of Stewart's casket was a Cross of white astors, Japanese lillies, and tube-roses, which was the gift of the Alexander P. Stewart Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, at Chattanooga. Spread across the casket was a Confederate Battle Flag, which was the gift of the St. Louis chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Beside the bier was a palm spray sent by the St. Louis Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, while at the foot was a wreath of white astors and tube-roses, which was the gift of Stewart's Masonic Lodge. A palm spray was also sent by the St. Louis Chapter of the United Confederate Veterans. Charles Taze Russell, a long-time intimate friend of A. P. Stewart, spoke of Stewart's personal character; Stewart's service to the state of Tennessee; Stewart's service to the University of Mississippi for 12 years as its Chancellor; and of Stewart's more recent religious faith. After the eulogy and prayer by Charles Taze Russell, members of the United Confederate Veterans passed before the casket and formed a double line, between which the casket was borne to the hearst. A similar military ceremony was conducted at the gravesite as General A. P. Stewart's casket was borne from the hearse to the graveside.

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It took only until his second issue of ZION'S WATCH TOWER, August 1879, before founding editor Charles Taze Russell permitted his new magazine's first racist witticism:

"The practice of many in teaching is no more consistent than was that of the old Negro who made Paul vindicate him in theft: 'Let him that stole, steal.' The words 'no more', did not suit his purpose."

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"... no doubt, many of the negroes once slaves in the United States were happier and better provided for in slavery, than now that they are their own masters." -- ZION'S WATCH TOWER, June 1888.

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The Ann Arbor Argus

December 27, 1889

It may interest you to hear from me with regard to climate and the people here in the south. ... Whenever you see a man here with indominable energy and push, some one is sure to say: "He must be from the north!" This short sentence speaks volumes.

A word about the colored people: When in the north, I was inclined to admire this class, to a certain extent at least. But a personal acquaintance with the "nigger", as he is known in the south, will soon change a man's ideas with reference to these people. I would that every one of my northern friends could take one good dose of the genuine article. Yours Truly,

J. A. Bohnet

Little Rock, Arkansas

John Adam Bohnet unbelievably took the time and effort to sit down and send this racist commentary to his hometown newspaper back in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and in turn, that newspaper actually published it???

The exact timing of John A. Bohnet's entry into the WatchTower Society is difficult to pinpoint, but within a couple years or so after this racist LTTE, Bohnet was lecturing across the United States on behalf of Charles Taze Russell and his WatchTower Society, and continued doing so into the 1920s. J. A. Bohnet soon became a Bethelite at Pittsburgh WatchTower Society HQ, and later at Brooklyn HQ. At various times, John Bohnet even was named various corporate Directors/Officers of one or more of the various corporations.

BUT, John Adam Bohnet was more than just a CTR sychophant. John Bohnet was a close personal friend of both CTR and his father -- penning JLR's Will. Bohnet also penned letters from CTR to Maria Russell, and was one of CTR's main "witnesses" during the Russell divorce proceedings. As one of CTR's trusted confidants, J. A. Bohnet also was selected to be one of CTR's "strawman" in various secret financial transactions.

The WatchTower Society's "love" for John Adam Bohnet did not end with CTR. Under "Judge" Rutherford, Bohnet's lecturing and "Pilgrim" work actually increased, despite the fact that Bohnet was getting into his 60s and 70s.

Even today, simply do a "Search" on "Bohnet" at the current JW.BORG website to see continued use of John Adam Bohnet's legacy. 

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ZION'S WATCH TOWER

September 1889

VIEW FROM THE TOWER.

The negroes of the South were probably happier fifty years ago, in slavery, than they now are; and though now possessed of many more privileges than were ever before accorded them, yet the reports are that a race war, between blacks and whites, is to be feared. It was an increase of knowledge that led public sentiment to a repudiation of human slavery and that emancipated the slaves; and it is a fuller knowledge of his rights as a man, under the law of God, and as a citizen, under the Constitution of these United States, that is stirring within the hearts of the negroes a desire for more and more, until they shall feel satisfied that they have their full proportion of the rights, privileges and common blessings of our day.

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ZION'S WATCH TOWER

August 1, 1893

"SPECIAL DIVINE PROVIDENCE"

Even the infamous slave trade, which brought thousands of black men from Africa to this favored land, was, as viewed in the light of God's overruling providence, a blessing in disguise; for the black man in America has enjoyed advantages of civilization here that he would never have known in his native land.

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ZION'S WATCH TOWER

October 15, 1894

BISHOP FOSTER'S NEW GOSPEL, NO. 2

The Apostle Paul corroborates all this, and tells us that all men have some traces of this original and superior law. Referring to some of the most degraded members of the race, he says, these "show the work [evidences] of the law written in their hearts." (Rom. 2:15.) And in the preceding chapter the Apostle shows how it comes that some of the heathen are so very much more degraded than others, -- how the original nature-written law came to be so much more nearly effaced from the hearts and brains of some of earth's families or races than from others. ...

... the Bishop is wandering about looking amongst the most fallen-up men for some modern theory that will prove that death, and pain and sickness are blessings, and that the heathen as well as the saints enter by this gateway into a heaven where the few developed Christians will be perfectly happy, surrounded by myriads of characterless heathen, idiots, etc.

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"The negro race is supposed to be descended from Ham, whose special degradation is mentioned in Gen. 9:22,25." -- ZION'S WATCH TOWER, August 1, 1898

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OLD THEOLOGY TRACTS

October 1898

The Bible versus the Evolution Theory

I call your attention to the fact that the Gospel light arose in Palestine, which lies at the juncture ... of three continents -- Europe, Asia, and Africa. It would have been nearest to have sent the Gospel southward into Africa, to its benighted millions: but Africa still lies in darkness, touched with the light of truth only a little upon its northern borders. It would have been almost as near to have sent the Gospel light eastward to India's hundreds of millions, and into China with its hundreds of millions: but India and China have lain in darkness for eighteen centuries, except as little glimpses or flashes of the light of truth have reached them. Europe lay farther away, but to Europe, and through Europe to America, the Lord has been pleased to send the light of the Gospel, "A light to lighten the Gentiles."

Nor are we to suppose that the coming of the Gospel light to these lands that have been so greatly blessed by it was a matter of chance or accident. Quite to the contrary, a few words recorded in the Acts of the Apostles (16:6,7) relating to the mission of the great Apostle to the Gentiles, St. Paul, show us unquestionably that the sending of the Gospel to Europe was of divine intention -- predestination -- choice or election. The narrative is that, while Paul and his company had purposed to go into Asia, the spirit suffered them not to do so, but providentially hindered their going; and while they were thus perplexed and seeking to know the mind of the Lord, the Apostle Paul had a dream in which he saw a man of Macedonia beckoning to him and saying, "Come over and help us." As a consequence of these divine providences, and gathering from them the Lord's will in the matter, the Apostle and his co-laborers at once proceeded to Macedonia, there beginning the preaching of the Gospel in Europe. When Paul returned to Palestine, and apparently with no thought of further prosecuting the work in Europe, divine providence permitted him to be arrested and sent a prisoner to Rome: and there the same divine providence held him a prisoner for a long time, but gave him sufficient liberty to preach the Gospel there for a number of years. It was from these providential lightings of the Gospel lamp in Europe that all the great blessings which have reached us proceeded.

Now tell me, Do not these facts prove that divine providence has had much to do with the progress and direction of the lamp of truth?" Are they not a manifestation of divine election or selection? Mark you, I am following the hypothesis presented in MILLENNIAL DAWN, that the non-elect and non-enlightened are similarly and proportionately uncondemned. Nor am I claiming in this that God is a respecter of persons. It is quite another thing that God may have been, nay, evidently has been, a respecter of races, and has specially blessed and favored certain branches of the Aryan race in Europe and America. But the fact, that the white race has been more abundantly blessed with the light of the Gospel than others, is not to be understood to signify that when members of other races heard and appreciated the Gospel, they were repulsed or rejected by the Lord. This view is in full harmony with the suggestion that God is no respecter of persons, but that "In every land he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted of him." In harmony with this, the author of MILLENNIAL DAWN holds that, while the elect Church will probably be composed chiefly of the highly favored white race, nevertheless, it will probably have in it representatives out of "every kindred, people and tongue."

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"In all large cities of the world there are thousands known as 'sweaters', who work harder and for longer hours for the bare necessities of life, than did the majority of the southern slaves. Nominally they have their liberty, but actually they are slaves, the slaves of necessity, having liberty to will, but little liberty to do, for themselves or others." -- Charles Taze Russell, The Day of Vengeance, 1898, Page 374.

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"There is no doubt in our minds that in another 10 years or less, the whole world will be involved in anarchy, which, as I said before, will invade every walk of life. Something must be done for the world, for the heathens are increasing at a rate much larger than the Christians. One reason for this is that among the white races, especially the Anglo-Saxons and French, the births are decreasing every year. The brown, yellow, and black races multiply strongly. ... If something is not done soon the world will be overrun with heathens." -- Charles Taze Russell, St. Louis Convention, November 1899, edited.

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ZION'S WATCH TOWER

April 15, 1900

THE VOLUNTEER WORK

... . There are probably as many as a hundred colored brethren on the Watch Tower lists, some of them very clear in the truth, and very earnest in its service, financially and otherwise. We have received letters from several of these, who had intended engaging in the volunteer work, expressing surprise that in the call for volunteers in the March 1st issue we restricted the inquiry to white Protestant churches,. They rightly realized that we have not the slightest of race prejudice, and that we love the colored brethren with just the same warmth of heart that we love the white, and they queried therefore why such a distinction should be made in the call. The reason is that so far as we are able to judge, colored people have less education than whites - many of them quite insufficient to permit them to profit by such reading as we have to give forth. Our conclusion therefore is based upon the supposition that reading matter distributed to a colored congregation would more than half of it be utterly wasted, and a very small percentage indeed likely to yield good results. We advise, therefore, that where the Watch Tower literature is introduced to colored people it be not by promiscuous circulation, but only to those who give evidence of some ear for the truth.

We avoid, so far as possible, putting the pearls of present truth into the hands of the vicious and depraved, whites as well as blacks. Wherever we have reason to believe that people love sin rather than righteousness, we have no desire to remove from their minds any of the shackles which ignorance and superstition have put upon them; rather, we would leave them bound until, in the Millennial age, when these shackles shall all be removed, they will be under the strong hand of a strong governor, who will recompense every iniquity as well as every effort toward righteousness.

Similarly, the exclusion of Roman Catholic churches was not intended as any slight upon the people connected with them, for whom we have only the greatest good will and best wishes. Nor did it indicate that we thought none of the Roman Catholics amenable to the truth, for, on the contrary, there are quite a number of very zealous friends of the truth who were reared in Catholicism; indeed, only last Sunday (April 1st) at our meeting in the Bible House Chapel, four Roman Catholics made public profession of faith in the Redeemer and of full consecration to him, and symbolized it in water immersion. We excluded Roman Catholic churches from the Volunteer service because the vast majority of their attendants (Irish?) are either too ignorant or too bigoted to read and think for themselves. True, much of this would apply also to Protestants; but the percentage of hopefuls amongst the latter is so much greater as to justify, we think, the enormous expense involved in this circulation of free reading matter at the churches throughout this country.

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ZION'S WATCH TOWER

October 1, 1900

ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM FAITHFUL WORKERS

DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL: -- Possibly you may remember that when I was in Milwaukee some months ago I sent you a newspaper clipping regarding a colored man in Wilmington who had turned from black to white, through the loss of the pigment under his skin. I now enclose a clipping from the New York World of Sept. 9th, regarding a similar case at Parkersburg, W. Va. Do you not think these may possibly be granted as illustrations of how the Lord purposes to remove race and color distinctions during the "age of the ages"? ... Your brother and servant, CLAYTON J. WOODWORTH, -- New York.

To see how then efficient was the 1900s WatchTower grapevine, now tab down to 1904's,"CAN THE ETHIOPIAN CHANGE HIS SKIN?"

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ZION'S WATCH TOWER

SEPTEMBER 1, 1901

PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.

One Sister inquires, Should not we carry to the darker parts of the earth our superior ideas respecting health, cleanliness, care of the sick, civilization, etc.?

If by we is meant the Lord's consecrated people, our answer would be, No. God's commission to us through Jesus and the apostles is restricted ... . ....

As to whether the world (nominal Christendom) is doing well or ill for the heathen, is an open question. The fact that we, born and reared under Western civilization, would be miserable if obliged to live along the lines of Eastern civilization proves little; for so far as we can discern the people of China and India prefer their own methods, customs, etc. ... Will the Chinaman be happier in a European cut of coat, shoes, shirt, collar and tie? Are we certain that the Chinawoman will be happier with larger feet, and shoes of our pattern and with corsets and Paris fashioned gowns?...

... accordingly God's people, realizing that the chosen will be few, should seek to labor in harmony with the Lord's callings. Eighteen centuries show us that while no nation under heaven is refused or discriminated against, and some out of all have been called, nevertheless God's favors have been chiefly toward the white or Caucasian race. If we have done all we know how to do in this the Lord's special wheat-field, then by all means let us go into other fields. But if through the delusions of Satan the "gospel (?) of damnation" has been substituted for the "gospel of the Kingdom," so that the majority of those who profess the name of Christhave no knowledge of this gospel, then, by all means, let us who do know of it, bend all our energies to labor in this field which is "white already to the harvest," and its harvest work rapidly progressing.

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ZION'S WATCH TOWER

OCTOBER 15, 1901

"'Some have thought that we in some measure disdained brethren of color, because we stipulated that the 'Volunteer' distribution should be done at white Protestant churches. But not so: we meant no disparagement of Catholics, nor of blacks; but arranged thus merely because their average standards of intelligence, etc., do not seem to warrant the necessary outlay.' -- Editor."

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The July 15, 1902, ZION'S WATCH TOWER contained a lengthy article dispelling many false claims made against the Negro race and condemning resulting prejudice and discrimination. However, quite amusingly, Charles Taze Russell still could not contain his "slight" prejudices in favor of his own race, which Russell proclaimed was "divine providence".

HOW SHALL WE ACCOUNT FOR RACIAL DIFFERENCES?

... ... In attempting to account for the wide differences between whites and blacks, and the lesser differences bewteen these and the yellow, brown, and red, ... . ... Undoubtedly, the stronger contrast between the white and the black would require a longer time to be brought about, ... .

While it is true that the white race exhibits some qualities of superiority over any other, we are to remember that there are wide differences in the same Caucasian (Semitic and Aryan) family; and also we should remember that some of the qualities which have given this branch of the human family its preeminence in the world are not such as can be pointed to as in all respects admirable. ... However, that the Bible was divinely directed into Europe is most manifest (Acts 16:6, 9), and sooner or later we shall see the full meaning of this divine providence. ... The secret of the greater intelligence and aptitude of the Caucasianundoubtedly in great measure is to be attributed to the commingling of blood amongst its various branches; and this was evidently forced in large measure by circumstances under divine control.

NOAH'S ... CURSE ON HAM

... ... Noah declared, prophetically, that Ham's characteristics which had led him to unseemly conduct disrespectful to his father, would be found cropping out later, inherited by his son, and prophetically he foretold that this degeneracy would mark the posterity of Canaan, degrading him, making him servile. We are not able to determine to a certainty that the sons of Ham and Canaan are the negroes; but we consider that general view as probable as any other.

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Regularly, in ZION'S WATCH TOWER articles announcing upcoming WatchTower Conventions and the making of railroad and rooming reservations, those articles specified that "colored" brethren so indicate such in their reservation requests. Such was necessary due to societal circumstances outside of the control of Russell or his Society. Even requests to the Society for a visit from a WatchTower Pilgrim, which required "colored" families or congregations to so specify, are "understandable". However, the following LTTE published in the May 15, 1902 ZION'S WATCH TOWER discloses an internal racist practice of the then Watch Tower Society for which we aren't sure of an "understandable" reason:

Dear Brother Russell: I am sure you will rejoice with us in that this year in Washington [D.C.] 50 (38 white and 12 colored) persons celebrated the Memorial Supper and partook of the emblems of sacrifice, as against twenty-six last year, our company having nearly doubled in numbers.

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CREATION, 1904.

Promiscuous Association Not Implied

The same argument applies to racial distinctions. ... The interests of the New Creation will, we believe, be generally conserved by the preservation of a measure of separation in the flesh, because the ideals, tastes, appetites, dispositions, etc., of one race necessarily are more or less in conflict with the ideals, [tastes, appetites, dispositions,] etc., of another; hence, the several races of humanity will probably find their spiritual interests as New Creatures best conserved by a measure of separateness. ... As the Apostle's words at the beginning of this chapter [Gal. 3:27-28] would give no excuse for a common herding together of males and females, because they are "all one" brotherhood in Christ Jesus, so neither should they be understood to imply anything promiscuous as between different races. ...

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The following article was published in the February 15, 1904, ZION'S WATCH TOWER. At that time, Bible Students were "looking for omens" that might evidence the start of the seven year tribulation period that would precede Armageddon in October 1914. Charles Taze Russell was claiming that they could expect "restitution" to start even prior to Armageddon. The case of "Julius Jackson" is subtly presented as an early instance of the darker skin of Negroes being changed back to implied "original" white skin.

"CAN THE ETHIOPIAN CHANGE HIS SKIN?"

We answer, No. But all will admit that what the Ethiopian cannot do for himself God could readily do for him. The difference between the races of men and the differences between their languages have long been arguments against the solidarity of the human family. The doctrine of restitution has also raised the question, How could all men be brought to perfection and which color of skin was the original? The answer is now provided. God can change the Ethiopian's skin in his own due time.

Prof. H. A. Edwards, Supt. of Schools in Slater, Mo., has written for the public press an elaborate description of how Julius Jackson, of New Frankfort, Mo., a negro boy of nine years, began to grow white in September, 1901, and is now fully nine-tenths white. He assures us that this is no whitish skin disease; but that the new white skin is as healthy as that of any white boy, and that the changed boy has never been sick and never has taken medicines.

Then, only two months later, in the April 15, 1904, ZION'S WATCH TOWER, the following "Letter To The Editor" was published without comment. Anyone who knows anything about the WatchTower Cult community, even as far back as 1904, knows how these two articles were taken.

DEAR BROTHER. -- Regarding the article in the Feb. 1 TOWER, "Can the Ethiopian Change His Skin," allow me to say, that I have ascertained by inquiry, from different colored people, that in this small town there are several instances of this change taking place. It usually begins with a small spot on some part of the body and gradually enlarges, and, strange to say, the individuals are loath to speak of it. My information extends to other communities, and the same experiences are occurring there. This appears to be general amongst the race all over the country. If a general inquiry was made amongst the colored people throughout the country it would be found that this is generally the case. I think that this is one of the many indications of the great changes that will soon take place when our dear Redeemer assumes his power and reigns. Yours in the service of the loving Master, C. C. SEABROOK. -- Kansas.

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"The Jews claimed superiority, and while the Samaritans did not acknowledge this, they nevertheless felt it to some degree, just as colored people are apt to feel toward the whites." -- ZION'S WATCH TOWER, January 15, 1905.

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Below is an excerpt from the February 1, 1905 ZION'S WATCH TOWER, which contains a "cleaned up" version of the following racist witticism:

If de Lawd co'mands me to jump through de wall, it is my bis'ness to jump, and de Lawd's bis'ness to take me through de wall.

We include such here because CTR had zero reason to include the fact that "George" is a "colored man", but for readers to recall in their minds the well known racist version of this story. The witticism would have worked just as well if "George" had been presented as a caucasian man, or even as race neutral.

Another lesson is that miracles are only to be expected after we have done all in our power with the means at hand. The colored man had the right idea when, after expressing his faith in the Lord, some one said to him, "Now, George, if the Lord should command you to jump through that stone wall, would you do it?" His answer was that if he were certain that the Lord had commanded it, he would jump at the stone wall and leave to the Lord all that was beyond his power. If the Lord wished to make a miracle out of it he was able to do so, but the jumping part belonged to George. So it is with us in all life's affairs: we are to be sure that we are in the Lord's way, that we are following his directions, and then we are to leave all the results to him, assured of his ability to work the greatest miracles.

Nine years later, Charles Taze Russell again used a "cleaned up" version of this same old racist witticism in the April 15, 1914 ZION'S WATCH TOWER:

The colored brother had the proper thought. When asked what he would do if God told him to jump through a stone wall, he replied, "I would jump at it." In a word, we are to have absolute confidence in the Word of God, not merely to make sure that we have heard and understood His Message.

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ZION'S WATCH TOWER

November 1, 1905

The Editor's Western Tour

We had but one session here. We arrived too late for a morning meeting and left too early for an evening one. About seventy-five of the interested (fifty whites and twenty-five blacks)assembled for an afternoon session which lasted two hours. ... The colored friends gave every evidence of being as deeply interested and as fully consecrated as their white brethren and sisters -- which is saying a great deal for them.

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From 1879 umtil 1909, the magazine owned, operated, and edited by Charles Taze Russell personally (not the Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society), was officially named "Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence".

For reasons explained elsewhere in this website, in 1909, Charles Taze Russell fled Pennsylvania to New York City. Russell took advantage of that change of location to also change the name of his flagship magazine. Specifically, Russell decided to drop the first word -- "Zion's". Russell explained the change in the December 15, 1908 issue:

With the New Year we expect to drop the word "Zion's" in the title of our Journal, because many of the friends inform us that the word is objectionable, having been so much used by Mr. Dowie and his followers. They report that our Journal is frequently cast aside under the supposition that it is published under Dowie's auspices, or in some manner affiliated with Zion City, which he founded. The new name, THE WATCH TOWER, is the one by which the Journal is usually mentioned. It appears, further, that African churches and papers use the word Zion extensively, which has led to the inquiry whether or not our Journal is published and generally read by colored people.

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ZION'S WATCH TOWER

February 1, 1909

... We concede that the heathen are not fit for heaven and that since only the saintly, perfected in intention and character, however imperfect in works, will enter the heavenly state, these heathen certainly will not be received there. ... ... ...

... Great things are promised, of money and ambitious hearts. But again we point out the futility of all this. They can never convert the heathen. We are not opposed to missions. God forbid! We are glad that noble men and women self-sacrificingly take up the work of teaching civilization in heathen lands. It is well that heathen children should be taught to spell and read and sew; to sit on chairs and to wear clothing more corresponding to the Western styles. It is well that similar lessons, so far as possible, should be taught to the parents of those children also. It is well that they be taught with the Bibles also. Let us not mistake. Civilization is not Christianization, as many are disposed to force themselves to believe. If all of the heathen sat upon chairs, instead of on the ground, and ate with knives and forks, instead of their fingers, they would thereby be in a measure civilized. But this would not Christianize them, even though they were helped to the civilized methods by the most earnest Christians. ... ...

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ZION'S WATCH TOWER

June 1, 1911 and November 1, 1911

A COLORED PILGRIM BROTHER

Brother Walton is engaged in Colportuering, but is pleased to serve classes composed wholly or mainly of colored people, when requested. Additionally we have other colored Brethren of good education, good address, and as clear in the Truth as white Brethren who might give some of their time similarly. We invite classes of colored friends who so desire to send in applications for such service.

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ZION'S WATCH TOWER

July 1, 1911

OUR MISSIONARY WORK IN INDIA

[CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL] discerned, in Divine providence, that although God is no respector of persons He has evidently designed the gathering of the majority of the "elect" from amongst the Semitic and the Aryan races of Europe and America. And, desiring to follow the leadings of Divine providence, and thus to be a co-worker with God, [RUSSELL] turned his special attention to the gathering of "the elect" and has been using his energies chiefly where this "elect" class are mostly to be expected -- in civilized lands.

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CTR: "Colored Woman", 1909-11

Note that Charles Taze Russell edited out nearly all of the racist elements of this decades-old "joke". However, Russell failed to understand that it still remained a racist joke. Russell even could have used one of the several "unidentified couple" versions of this joke, but Russell did not. Russell simply could not resist leaving the woman in his joke as a "colored woman" for the "picture" that probably would be created in the minds of his mainly caucasian audience.

Charles Taze Russell

Overland Monthly, 1911

Jesus Taught Parabolically.

"A certain judge, addressing a colored woman who spoke of her husband's ill-treatment, asked her if she had tried the Apostle's remedy of heaping coals of fire on his head. She replied, "No," but that she had tried hot water without avail."

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CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL

Summer 1909 Sermon

"The Divine Plan being set forth to an old colored woman, not attained to that degree of appreciation of the divine character which the old colored woman had when some one asked her, 'Aunty, is it not marvelous, strange, that God would love us and redeem us through the death of his Son?' Aunty answered, 'No sir, not strange.'"

"'What, not strange that God should give his Son to be our Redeemer at the cost of his life?' 'No, Massa, it is just like him; it is just like him' ... those who have the Lord's spirit will feel as did the colored woman, that it would be just like him, just like a good, loving, wise, powerful God ... ."

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CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL

WEEKLY NEWSPAPER AD, October 16, 1910

BIBLE STUDENTS MONTHLY, 1910-11

EVERYBODY'S PAPER, Vol. 2 No. 2

The Divine plan being set forth to an old colored woman, she was asked if it was not strange that God should do such great things for us. Her answer was, "No Master, it is just like him!"

Yet another racist tale to make a point easily made in any number of non-racist ways.

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Charles Taze Russell

Sermon, 1912

[God] ... has shown special favors to some nations, some races of people, more than others. ... "Why was it that God favored us of Europe? (Because I reckon that the Americans, you know, are all Europeans. The stock came from Europe, it merely has been transplanted to America -- all the same stock.) Why has God so favored the white race above all the other races? Are we better than the others?" And then, I compared matters ...

... I felt somewhat ashamed of my own race, that while we have greater blessings in so many ways and greater ability in some ways, those abilities seem to be largely in the way of taking what other people have and appropriating it to ourselves, ... he was shrewder than the others and therefore more able to grasp. Selfishness is more prominent in the white race ... .

God, in the Jews, had taken the worst and most stiff-necked people, and again, He had taken our forefathers of Europe, and He has taken some of the most rebellious and stiff-necked, hard and selfish people of the whole world; ... . ...

... yet, from this people God is choosing out His jewels, MAINLY, CHIEFLY. First, the Jews got the opportunity, and next came our forefathers, and we have the very best favor of all. Century after century, God's favor has been more with the white man than any other, and even today nearly all the blessings are with US -- our land and territory, and knowledge, and the Bible, in so many convenient forms, nearly all with US. ... ...

... [God] could not find a nation among all the fallen nations of the world, ... now He is taking out of all nations and people and tongues, and He is making a holy nation. How glad WE ARE that in God's providence WE HAVE BEEN INVITED TO BELONG TO THAT HOLY NATION! ...

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CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL

Concluding Remarks 1912 Chautauqua Convention 

"... the only thing to do is that you first go to the person whom you hurt or offended and make it right with him. Do your part in the way it is stated. Oh, you say, that might be too humbling; it might be a colored brother, a child, or someone else, and it would be too humiliating. Never mind, my dear brother, you want to keep your own skirts clean, and you want to do it."

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ZION'S WATCH TOWER,

March 15, 1913

Southern Convention Tour

Kingston, Jamaica, we reached Feb. 25th. We found a large convention already in session, crowding Collegiate Hall -- about 600 -- nearly all colored. ... Their singing was excellent. On the next day ... the public came in crowds. The theater seats about 1,100. Besides these, approximately 700 were jammed into all the aisles and corridors and windows, ... . These were nearly all colored, not more than ten per cent whites. The friends had arranged to reserve certain seats for the whites, desiring especially that they should have an opportunity to hear; but the crowd, while orderly, insisted on taking possession of these.

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1913 BIBLE STUDENTS SOUVENIR CONVENTION REPORT

... we are reminded of the worthy clergyman in Jefferson City who was trying to convert a negro and a Irishman who were sentenced to be hung on the same day. ... The negro repented, but he could make no impression on the Irishman. The day before the execution he made a final call and said, "Tomorrow that poor negro will be carried away to Abraham's bosom while you will be suffering the tortures of hell." "Oh, bad luck to you," said the Irishman. "Do you think Abraham will thank you for stuffing his shirt full of dead niggers?" The Irishman was right. ...

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Charles Taze Russell

Letter To Secretary of State, William Jennings Bryan

May 26, 1913

"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."

The then only recently adopted California Alien Land Law of 1913 prohibited "aliens ineligible for citizenship" from owning or leasing for more than three years agricultural land in the state of California. This law targeted Asian immigrants -- particularly the Japanese.

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"... we are so ready to promise the Lord what we are going to do, but, dear friends, how hard it is to keep those promises, and yet that is what the Lord is looking for -- those who make promises and keep them -- not those who make promises and break them. You will hear friends, when arranging for the volunteer work -- they say, I haven't done much in the volunteer work; give me a good big territory; and when the work is all over you will find they haven't done anything. They will find some excuse to get out. It is something like Sam Jones, the Evangelist, said some years ago. He brought out a story that some colored men got in a storm and one prayed so and so; if he would not be struck by lightning, he would serve the Lord, and one says, "You know you won't do that," and he says, "Yes, You know I was only fooling the Lord." The Lord will expect us to try to keep our promises. Are we ready to make promises, and then find some way in which we will not have to keep them?"

This excerpt comes from a sermon delivered for years during the early 1900s across the country by WatchTower Pilgrim B. H. Barton. We have drawn a line through Barton's racist addition so that readers can see that Barton was already making his point without throwing in a racist remark which perpetuated negative stereotypes. Barton even had to stoop to quoting from a M-E preacher from Georgia. We wonder when delivering this part of his sermon if Barton also had his "colored" characters speaking in "colored" language, but that the editor of this particular transcript cleaned up such when putting it in print???

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ZION'S WATCH TOWER

April 15, 1914

THE COLOR LINE FOUND NECESSARY

WE might have anticipated that many colored people would be deeply interested in THE PHOTO-DRAMA OF CREATION. But it did not impress itself upon us until gradually their number increased to about twenty-five per cent of the whole audience. Of course, we were glad to see them, glad that they were interested in the DRAMA. We had the same feeling respecting them as others; but it was quickly discerned that it was not a case of feeling, but that, whereas the colored people of New York City are about five per cent of the population, in our audiences they are about twenty-five per cent and the number increasing. What shall we do? As the attendance of the colored people would increase, proportionately the number of the whites would decrease; for explain it how we will, a majority of whites prefer not to intermingle closely with other races. (Here, Russell makes a racist comment about the "majority of whites". In all likelihood, there had been only a few "complaints" made by only a handful of "whites", including Russell's "Bethelite" staffers.)

Recognizing that it meant either the success or the failure of the enterprise of the DRAMA as respects the whites, we have been compelled to assign the colored friends to the gallery, which, however, is just as good for seeing and hearing as any other part of The Temple. Some were offended at this arrangement.

We have received numerous letters from the colored friends, some claiming that it is not right to make a difference, others indignantly and bitterly denouncing us as enemies of the colored people. Some, confident that Brother Russell had never sanctioned such a discrimination, told that they believe it would be duty to stand up for equal rights and always to help the oppressed, etc. We were obliged to explain the facts, assuring all of our loving interest in the colored people, and of our desire to do them good, and not injury. We again suggested that if a suitable place could be found in which the DRAMA could be presented for the benefit of the colored people alone, we would be glad to make such arrangements, or to co-operate with any others in doing so.

Our explanations were apparently entirely satisfactory to all of the fully consecrated. To these we explained that it is a question of putting either the interests of God's Cause first, or else the interests of the race first. We believed it our duty to put God first and the Truth first -- at any cost to others or to ourself! We explained that we thought that all the colored brethren should know our attitude toward them -- they should know that we love to serve them in any way possible and to give them the very best we have to give of the Gospel Message; and that it is only a question of whether our giving to them in one way would deprive us of giving the Truth to others.

Some who were still tenacious and quarrelsome we merely reminded of our Lord's declaration that in inviting visitors into the house it is the place of the host to say where they shall sit, and then we showed them the parable of the man who chose the chief seat of honor and was given a lower one.

In answer to the query as to how our course of conduct squared with the Golden Rule, we replied that it squares exactly. We would wish others to put God first. If our personal interests are or ever have been in conflict with the real and apparently best interests of the Lord's Cause, it is a part of our consecration vow to ignore our interests in favor of the interests of the Lord's Cause. This is what we mean by the declaration that we are dead to self and alive to our God as New Creatures.

We reminded one dear sister that the Lord enjoins humility, and assures us that unless we humble ourselves we shall not be exalted. If nature favors the colored brethren and sisters in the exercise of humility it is that much to their advantage, if they are rightly exercised by it. A little while, and our humility will work out for our good. A little while, and those who shall have been faithful to their Covenant of Sacrifice will be granted new bodies, spiritual, beyond the veil, where color and sex distinctions will be no more. A little while, and the Millennial Kingdom will be inaugurated, which will bring Restitution to all mankind -- restitution to the perfection of mind and body, feature and color, to the grand original standard, which God declared "very good", and which was lost for a time through sin, but which is soon to be restored by the powerful Kingdom of Messiah.

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PASTOR RUSSELL'S CHURCH DRAWS [COLOR] LINE

Negroes Put in the Gallery in Temple

Over on West 63d street, near Broadway, is situated the Temple of Creation, a building erected at a cost of $500,000 for Pastor Russell of Brooklyn, but which is used by the International Bible Students' Association, of which he is President, for the purpose of presenting a series of pictures called the Photo Drama of Creation.

Negroes are admitted to see the pictures, but those who have attended state that without exception, they are directed to a side door, and when the end of the way is reached, they find themselves sequestered in tbe top gallery, where the only white face to be seen is that of the maid who has charge of the ladies' retiring room. Even the Negro ministers are shunted off to the gallery, it is said. ... An effort was made by an AGE representative to find someone in authority who could give reasons for the attitude of the Association toward its Negro seekers after light, but without result.

Tuesday afternoon, Mrs. L. Saunders, 42 West 136th street, went over to see the pictures for the first time. She had not heard anything about the seating arrangements, and started in the main entrance. She was stopped and told to use another entrance further down the street. She did so, and found herself in the top gallery, which was well filled, but only with members of the Negro race, among them being two ministers. Her exienence is similar to others of which The Age has heard. ... -- The New York Age, February 5, 1914, edited.

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TRIES TO DEFEND HIS "JIM CROW" POLICY

Pastor Russell Writes Letter to The Age and Brings in the Lord's Name

BELIEVES IN SEGREGATION

Colored Members of Association Up in Arms Over "Jim Crow" Ruling and Threaten to Make Trouble.

So much biting criticism has been directed at Pastor Russell for drawing the color line at the Temple of Creation, situated in West 63d street near Broadway, many of the colored members of the International Bible Students' Association are threatening to withdraw their support after reading the article in last week's AGE, that Pastor Russell has written a letter to The Age explaining why he deems it necessary to "Jim Crow" Negroes in a house of worship, and refers to Luke 14:7-11 in his effort to show that the Lord appoved the policy of discriminating and segregating people.

Writes Pastor Russell: "Our Lord gave a parable of guests invited to a feast and indicated in it the right of every host to locate his guests as he deemed it best."

This explanation does not seem to console many of his colored members for compelling Negroes to sit in the gallery, and it has been maintained that there is a big difference between the right of a host to locate his guests as he deems best; which is purely a private matter, and the "Jim Crowing" of Negroes at a church where the word of God is preached, and a cordial welcome is extended to all, regardless of race, color, or religion. Pastor Russell's letter to THE AGE follows:

To the Editor of The Age: In your issue of the 5th last, attention is drawn to the fact that at the Temple, where the "Photo Drama of CREATION" is being presented free, our colored friends were requested to occupy the gallery. I wish to assure your readers that this was not meant as a mark of disrespect to the colored people -- many of them know me too well to so believe. The Temple is not built in what we might term, "the colored district", but is the church home of a Christian congregatlon composed almost entirely of whites. Our colored friends, however, were made very welcome, for the message of the pictures of the "Photo-Drama of CREATION'" is for them, as well as for whites. However, when the attendance of the colored friends amounted to nearly twenty-five per cent of the total, with prospects of increase, we soon perceived that the effect would be to crowd out the whites. This was our reason for requesting the colored friends to take the gallery. At the same time, we promised some of them that, if the Lord opened the way financially, we would do our best to give the Drama in the quarter of the city where the colored people mostly reside -- especially for their benefit, and that, if the whites came there in any particular number, we would see that they be given a place in the gallery, in the interest of the majority. We believe that our colored friends, upon reflection, and viewing the matter along the lines of the Golden Rule, will see that we took the only reasonable and proper course under the circumstances. The admission is entirely free -- the reserved seat tickets being free, and this for the very purpose of permitting us to apportion our guests to such seats as we think would be to their comfort and the Lord's glory. As nearly as we know how, we are following the course we believe the Lord would follow under present circumstances, even though present conditions are not all that we would prefer them to be. Our Lord gave a parable of guests invited to a feast, and indicated in it, the right of every host to locate his guests as he deemed best. Luke 14:7-11. Very respectfully yours, C. T. RUSSELL, President, International Bible Students Assn. , Brooklyn. Feb.9.

Quite a number of colored newspapers publish Pastor Russell's sermons, and for several years, the International Bible Students' Association has made an extended effort to interest Negroes in its work. -- The New York Age, February 12, 1914, edited.

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The prediction of the nearing approach of the Millennium was made before a congregation of 5000 International Bible Students, in the Academy of Music, in Brooklyn, ... including 500 Negroes gathered near the rear of the Academy ... -- New York Sun, June 2, 1919. (The speaker, Alexander Hugh McMillan, continued to repeat THE LIE that Pastor Russell had correctly predicted the start of The Great War in 1914. The DUMBA$$ then doubled-down boasting that the WatchTower Society "had it cold" that the Millennium would start in 1925. In the latter 1920s, after this IDIOT unquestionably had been proven wrong on "1925", he went on to predict that Armageddon would have to occur within a "40 year generation" of 1914, i.e., 1954. GOD permitted McMillan to live long enough also to see that prophecy FAIL!!!)

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The following article PROMOTING SCHOOL SEGREGATION was published in the October 1, 1919, THE GOLDEN AGE magazine, which was the forerunner of the later CONSOLATION magazine -- both of which were forerunners of today's AWAKE! magazine. Readers should understand that the following article was written by a staff writer who likely took the "facts" from another magazine or newspaper article. However, the "opinions" in this article were those of the writer and their editors, and were believed to be acceptable to the magazine's readers. Edits and emphasis is ours. The expressed racism belongs to the WatchTower Society. Note that the students are initially referred to as "blacks", but later as "colored":

NEGRO EDUCATION IN CINCINNATI

... Douglas High School of Cincinnati. Blacks from all over the city go to this school by preference. They feel that they get the best chance by staying in their own crowd, AND THEY ARE PROBABLY RIGHT. ... ... the best way to deal with the colored boy or girl to make for contentment and order is to give them a chance, and to give them that chance BY THEMSELVES. While it is true that "of one blood God hath made all nations of men", nevertheless under present imperfect conditions A WISE SEGREGATION IS PROBABLY AN ADVANTAGE TO ALL CONCERNED.

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The very same October 1, 1919 issue of THE GOLDEN AGE also published the following racist concern. By the way, "fecundity" means "abundantly fertile":

FECUNDITY OF JAPANESE WOMEN

... So many children are being born to the Japanese women of California so as to CAUSE SOME ANXIETY TO THE PEOPLE of that state. ... There are now more than 30,000 Japanese children in California who are native-born and POSSESS ALL THE RIGHTS OF LEASING AND OWNERSHIP HELD BY WHITE CHILDREN. ... Here we have a very literal fufilment (sic) of the Lord's promised punishment of Mother Eve and her daughters: "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception." -- Genesis 3:16.

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"Phosphate mines ... are ... open pits. ... The work is all done by NEGRO labor, principally with pick and shovel, ... ." -- THE GOLDEN AGE, Oct 1, 1919. In a paragraph describing how phosphate is mined, how/what does the adjective "Negro" add to the picture of hard manual labor?

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"From a CRIMINAL VIEWPOINT the desirability of SOBERING THE SOUTHERN NEGRO speaks volumes for national prohibition." -- THE GOLDEN AGE, Oct 15, 1919. Were "all", or even "most", "southern Negroes" drunken criminals? Of course, not!!!

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"Many newsboys are in constant touch with degrading or criminal surroundings. ... dealing with twenty-three supply men, of whom thirteen were COLORED MEN WITH EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL RECORDS." -- THE GOLDEN AGE, Dec 2, 1919. Should readers assume that the remaining ten "white" "supply men" were model citizens???

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WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY

COLORED BRANCH

Effective January 1, 1922, "Judge" Rutherford officially segregated the WatchTower Society despite "considerable objection" from some of the prominent colored brethren. A separate "Colored Branch"was established at Brooklyn Bethel, and was headed by a colored "Secretary" and his wife. Colored brethren who were members of mixed race congregations were directed to "organize separate classes and not meet with their white brethren". Colored brethren also were directed to restrict their "separate public witness" to "people of their own color". Contributions and other funds could be sent to the attention of the Colored Branch, but naturally, non-cash items were to be made payable to the Watch Tower Society.

SPANISH BRANCH

A separate Spanish Branch was already operating in Los Angeles, California by the 1920s. Headed by its own "Secretary", that Branch Office served not only the United States, but also Mexico, Central America, and South America. The Spanish Branch published THE WATCHTOWER magazine, and a small selection of books, booklets, and other essential items. Due to limited success, the Branch was relocated back to Brooklyn sometime in the latter 1920s.

POLISH BRANCH

The separate Polish Branch was moved from Detroit, Michigan to Brooklyn Bethel in 1922.

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Starting in the mid-1920s, "Judge Rutherford" began making heavy use of "radio" to spread his anti-religion, anti-government, and anti-everything else propaganda -- including the use of radio stations which he secretly owned partially and wholly himself, radio stations owned by the WatchTower Society, and other stations from which he purchased air time.

The WatchTower Society recruited skilled musicians, singers, actors, playwrights, etc., along with support personnel, for orchestras, bands, solo and group singing, and radio dramas. At least one of those 1920s dramas included the all too frequently used "old happy Negro" character, who despite his poor English ultimately had more common sense than did the main caucasian characters. Here is a sampling of the racist dialogue from one of those WatchTower Society radio drama scripts:

While waiting for Attorney Trout, the Lieutenant is talking with his former truck driver, a jolly old Negro. 

Houston : "Yes, Nathaniel, I got back safe and sound, and am glad to see old Nathaniel still carrying on."

Nathaniel: "Boss, I sho nevah tho't I'd see you agin. Tho't sho one of dem bullets would drap ya right in yo tracks. When I see'd you lef de house dat day, I jes close me eyes and sed to de boys, 'I guess dats de las time what we see de boss.' But heah ya is, lookin jes like yo'sef. I know de missus is sho glad today."

Houston: "Well it was hard to leave the folks, Nathaniel; and yet I was anxious for the experience. You know I had been trained for that purpose and wanted to put my training into execution -- just wanted to see the troops I had been training with in action; to see the reality."

Nathaniel: "Boss, I wants to know sumpin bout de war -- 'bout dem big bum's what drap right outen de sky. I hearn tell 'bout dem by de preacher. He sed we better all git religion, cause dey mought be anothah war some day. But he hopes dis is de las one. But dat is jes what he sed 'bout dis one, He said 'twant go be no mo wars, for de kingdom of hebben was almost heah, and dat de people was almost converted -- jes a few mo years and den de people would all be on de Lawd's side. But lo, der comes de war, and jes like one of dem big bums what drap from de sky and blowed up all de plans of de preachers. We looked for de poirly gates of hebben, and since den we ain't found nothin but de fire and brimstone. It oos to be dat nobody but de cullud folks oos to fight and kill one anothah on Sattaday nights. But nowdays de white folks dey worse dan de cullud folks ever been. Dey doint wait till Sattaday night; dey fights all de time. Oh, oh, heah come Marse Trout." ... 

... ... ... (Skip to end.)

Nathaniel (laughing) : Well, sah, boss, if dat ain't de fust time I evvah see'd Marse Trout git whipped. Huh, he jes hang his head and walk away and say nothin. Well, sah, if dat don't beat me. Befo' de jedge in de co'troom Marse Trout is some fighter; but he ain't so many on de Bible. He jes' walk away and hang his head. Ev'body said Marse Trout know de Bible; but boss, he jes think de sun rise and set on de preachah. If de preachah say de worl' gonna burn up, de worl' gonna burn up. And if he say all de sinnahs goin-ta burn, das what Marse Trout say, too. (Pause) Boss, yo sure hit de nail squarr on de head when yo say de preachahs is libbin offen de fat of de Iamb. All de cullud preachahs dey ride round in big fine lemmy-zeens, while we poor cullud folks has to jes keep on walkin. Dey sho is libbin offen de fat of us lambs. But, boss, yo didn't know nuthin 'bout de Good Book when you lef. I wants to know mo 'bout what you been tellin Marse Trout. Tell me where you git dis good news 'bout de kingdom.

Houston: Nathaniel, I haven't time now to tell you about it, but I'll send you a book that will give you the whole story. 

Nathaniel: I sho is gonna look fo dat book and, boss, don't forgit next time I sees you, I wants you to tell me 'bout dem big bum's what drap right outa de sky.

Houston***: Well, be good, Nathaniel.

Nathaniel: Good-bye, Boss.

***Boycotters of our websites should know what students of our website know -- that "Houston" is loosely modeled after "Judge" Rutherford's then best buddy and righthand man, Gene Orrell.

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THE GOLDEN AGE

January 7, 1920

From my experience with these hybrids I believe that when "the earth shall yield its increase" it will come along different lines than the "crossing" of plants. Large fruits may be raised by crossing, but not always of value. Even in the case of the human family, if the father and mother are of different races the children are sometimes unfit for brain work. Wonderful are the fixed laws of God. ...

... The more millions that can be sent to help people that are worse off than we are, the better; for such manifestations of interest go far toward promoting good feeling between the races. This, however, is nothing to the gigantic benefits that will flow to the more backward peoples when the Golden Age is fully ushered in.

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THE GOLDEN AGE

July 7, 1920

In the League of Nations the white races of the world would be in a minority in voting power, and largely in the minority as to the total population represented; and it remains to be proven that the relegation of the white races to the rear would be for the general welfare. 

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THE GOLDEN AGE

July 21, 1920

"Judge Rutherford then described the case of Mrs. Emma Martin, a gentle Christian woman of Southern California, grey-haired and saintly, a physician's widow, who about a month ago was incarcerated in San Quentin prison in a ward with vile-mouthed negro women. ...

"... a very large number of patriotic American citizens this afternoon in mass meeting assembled in the Scottish Rite auditorium in this city unanimously and enthusiastically passed the following resolution:

"WHEREAS a Christian lady home missionary, Mrs. Emma Martin, is held in prison at San Quentin under the Espionage law for selling one copy of 'The Finished Mystery', a Bible commentary, to Federal officers at their solicitation ; AND WHEREAS this Christian home missionary is now daily compelled to associate with vile and immoral negro women, being held in prison almost two years after the war is over; ... ."

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THE GOLDEN AGE

September 29, 1920

"... he caught the people like the negro's coon trap, "a comin' and a gwine'".

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THE GOLDEN AGE

May 11, 1921

Plutarch says there was a tradition among the Egyptians that "Osiris was black" ... As the Egyptians were dark people themselves, the blackness of Osiris must have been more than ordinary to have called for special comment. In his book of Plates, Belzoni shows a colored drawing of the recognized figure of Osiris, which he copied from the life-size paintings on the walls in one of the tombs of the kings at Thebes. (Plate V) The face and the hands of this figure are jet black. Wilkinson, also, in his sixth volume, shows a figure of Osiris which has the features of the negro; and it is significant that this negro-figure of Osiris is clothed in a leopard's akin. Professor C. Piazzi Smyth draws attention to the unmistakable negro features of the great Sphinx near the pyramids of Gizeh, which idol is pronounced by Egyptologists to be a representation of Horus, the son of Osiris and Isis. Horus, however, is only another form of Osiris. This, then, is further identification of Osiris with Nimrod; for Nimrod was black, being the son of Cush, whose name signifies "black''. Ham, also, was black; he is the father of all the black races.

The Ethiopians were very black, and this people were descendants of Cush. Eusebius says; ''Chus was he from whom came the Ethiopians". ... Josephus says the same. In the original of Jeremiah 13:23, the word "Ethiopian" reads "Cushite" -- "Can the Cushite change his skin, or the leopard his spots?" ... In view of what we have observed, there is significance in this Scriptural interrogation, where both the (black) skin of the Cushite, and the spotted skin of the leopard, are connectedly alluded to.

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