"Another popular Spiritualist paper is 'The Philosophical Journal'. It continually urges that its gospel of Spiritism be tested, and declares it to be the one thing the world needs; ... We clip a statement in support of this from its issue of April 22, '97, signed by A. N. Waterman, one of the leading Spiritualist lights. Under the caption, "Real Authorship of Spirit Communications," he says: ... ... ...

"Another letter received recently from Florida, from a brother in Christ, a WATCH TOWER reader, well educated in several languages, informs us concerning some peculiar experiences recently had with these 'seducing spirits'. He became aware of the presence of invisible spirit beings, and they seemed to manifest a curious interest in his work: he was translating MILLENNIAL DAWN into a foreign language.

"Well informed along the Scriptural lines presented foregoing, as to who these 'seducing spirits' are, he nevertheless forgot, or failed to heed the divine instruction, -- that mankind should hold no communication whatever with these 'lying spirits' and 'have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.' The neglect of this instruction caused him serious trouble; and but for the interposition of divine mercy, in response to his and our prayers, it might have made shipwreck of him -- soul and body.

"He was allured to the conference by a mixture of curiosity with a benevolent desire to do them good by preaching to them the glorious gospel of divine love and mercy operating through Christ toward all mankind; and the eventual hope of a judgment (probationary trial) for the fallen angels, declared in the Scriptures. (1 Cor. 6:3.) At first they gave close attention and appeared to take a deep and reverent interest in the message; but before long they became very 'familiar' spirits, intruding themselves and their questions and remarks at all times and places, disputing with him and with each other in a manner and upon topics far from edifying, so that he remonstrated: finally he demanded that they depart, but having gained his 'inner ear' (having made of him what Spiritists would term a 'clairaudient medium') they were not disposed to go, and only through earnest prayer was he finally delivered. He should have been on his guard against their seductive influences; he should have remembered that whatever message of grace the Lord may yet have for these fallen angels he has not yet sent it to them, and that none are authorized to speak for the Lord without authority. 'How shall they preach except they be sent?' The message of salvation thus far is to mankind only; and even here it is limited, for altho all are to be counseled to repent of sin and to reform, yet the gospel of salvation is restricted to repentant "believers" only, -- 'the meek of the earth'."

Russell Announces Satanic-Demonic Activity On The Increase

Imagine that in 1907 that you are a reader of ZION'S WATCH TOWER magazine, or even a recent Russellite convert, who had struggled to overcome an addiction to "spiritism" or "spiritistic practices". How would the following article, "Christ's Sermon To The Fallen Angels", published in the October 1, 1907 issue of ZION'S WATCH TOWER magazine, affect you? Pay particular attention to the teaching introduced in the last quoted paragraph:

"... Our understanding is that this great day of the Lord began chronologically in October, 1874, and from what we can learn it is since that date that "materializations" have become more and more common. ... Not only have such cases been reported in the public press, but some friends of the Truth who at one time were identified with Spiritism have corroborated these.

"A sister in the Truth who was at one time a spirit medium assures us that not long since (RECENT) in the parlor of her own home, the door being shut, a spirit materialized before her in the form of a man who spoke to her. His request being refused he threateningly caught her by the arm with a firm grasp, but at that instant her brother opened the parlor door and the materialization instantly dissolved.

"Another sister in the Truth, who had been less directly connected with Spiritism, informed us that RECENTLY one of the demons personating her deceased sister, opening the spring lock, walked into her room while she was wide awake and tried to choke her, afterwards leaving, as she had come, through the door.

"Another case was that of a brother who at one time had made some slight investigations of Spiritism, but ceased when he obtained light as to its demon origin. An apparition representing his wife appeared to him in his room as he was walking toward his bed, and reached out a hand while walking by his side. He, recognizing the source of such manifestations, and remaining firm to his resolution to have nothing further to do with the spirits in any sense or degree, refused to take the hand, and instead turned his heart to the Lord in prayer for deliverance from the Adversary's power; then the apparition vanished.

"... these evil spirits have special power and liberty with those who have at any time yielded to curiosity in connection with spirit manifestations.

"Our surmise is that this loosing and liberating from the chains of darkness will increase, perhaps very rapidly; that these fallen spirits are permitted to gradually invent a method by which they can accomplish such materializations, and that the knowledge of this and their proficiency in it will be permitted to develop during the remaining seven years of this harvest time, ...

"These fallen angels (demons), still in opposition to God, will doubtless ignore the Lord's restraints ... Those having respect to the Lord and his will would of course refuse to use such powers as he had condemned and forbidden and restrained, and thus their loyalty to the Lord would be demonstrated. Indeed we may be sure that whichever of these fallen angels have repented of their wrong course have abstained from all attempts to communicate with humanity in harmony with the Lord's prohibitions. ..."

Then, in the January 1, 1911 issue of ZION'S WATCH TOWER, Charles Taze Russell published the following prediction of impending persecution and SHOCKING tale of the sexual seduction of an Australian Russellite's wife by a demon impersonating Charles Taze Russell. One can only wonder what successfully buried sexual scandal involving CTR was headed off by this ludicrous fairytale:

We remind our readers that about two years ago a variety of incidents was brought to our attention, seeming to demonstrate that the fallen angels were more than ever active and that the evidences of their ability to materialize were increasing, and that their reported tendencies toward licentiousness comported well with the record of their fall, as portrayed in the Genesis account. At that time we suggested the possibility of evil spirits materializing, so as to personate some of the Lord's people and then committing flagrant crime, and dematerializing, vanishing, leaving the not-guilty one to face the righteous indignation aroused by the crime. We suggested that possibly, in some such manner, great odium might be brought upon the servants of the Truth and thus upon the Cause itself. We suggested further that possibly the same Divine providence which permitted the crucifixion of our Redeemer might permit such experiences, and that possibly through these a great persecution, as unjust as that which came upon Jesus and his followers eighteen centuries ago, might come upon us today.

For some two years we heard practically nothing along these lines. We had about concluded that the Adversary had misled our attention to this direction, in order that he might make the more serious attack upon the minds and hearts of the consecrated. Now, however, after two years of silence, we have a report from far-off Australia which seems to confirm our worst fears as respects the course that will be pursued in the time of trouble by the demons, the fallen angels.

Brother Nicholson, of the Australian Branch, writes us of an astounding circumstance. One of the Australian Brethren has a wife who is neither for nor against the Truth, and who professes no sympathy for Spiritism. Quite recently the Brother, returning to his home, had a harrowing tale related by his wife. She declared that Brother Russell had appeared to her. (Possibly she had seen his photograph). She declared that he made improper proposals, to which she yielded.

At such a distance it is easy enough to prove an alibi -- to prove that the Editor was not there. But suppose the materialization in all of its particulars had transpired in Brooklyn, or in the Bethel home, or in any of the various cities which the Editor visits in the preaching of the gospel, or in a Pullman sleeping car, in which he frequently travels -- it is easily seen than an alibi might be very difficult to prove in such cases. And what would be true in this respect of the Editor might be true in some respects of many of the Pilgrim brethren; yea, true of all of the Lord's people everywhere.

How few of mankind know of these fallen angels, or believe at all in their power to communicate with men! How few, especially, believe in their power to materialize! Could we blame such people if they should mob the innocent under such conditions? Would not all explanations seem like foolishness to them? If such matters as this shall form any part of the Church's experiences during the year 1911, it will mean very stirring times indeed and that some of us wholly innocent may have opportunity of dying cruel and very ignominious deaths, after the manner of the Master.

***

Is Communicating With Satan and his Demons a "Bad Thing" or a "Good Thing"?

In the May 1, 1912 issue of ZION'S WATCH TOWER, Charles Taze Russell published the following "advertisement" for communicating with Satan and his demons. Please point out the negatives or downside of practicing spiritism made obvious in Russell's "advertisement". Was this follower's life better or worse as a practicer of spiritism? Please point out the "lies" told by Satan and his demons, as related in this account, or do demons only tell "the truth"? Again, what did Russell hope his readers would take from this "Letter To The Editor"?

The 10 "points" (all positive) made in this article regarding Satan, demons, and ouija boards:

1) "it would perform rather difficult feats with the least solicitation"

2) "it did all I asked of it"

3) "it ... would 'do anything' for me"

4) "Satan ... advised me not to neglect my brethren or my Bible"

5) "Yes; the DAWNS are correct, not only in doctrine, but in chronology as well."

6) "I then asked by what power the board was operated. It answered, 'By evil, spirit power.' It further confessed to me that the spirits who operate the board have no other mission than to hinder all of the Lord's people."

7) "It further stated that they took 'special delight in buffeting, hindering and endeavoring to ensnare Brother Russell and his colaborers at the Bethel Home.'"

8) "I asked it if there was any possibility of my ever becoming as accomplished as 'Hermann the Great'. The answer came, 'No'."

9) "I wanted to know why it answered me thus. ... The answer in substance follows: 'Because God will not permit it.'"

10) "I inquired as to what 'God' was meant. I was informed that it meant 'the Almighty'."

***

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

MY BELOVED BRETHREN IN THE ANOINTED:

I wish to thank you for sending me THE TOWER. A year ago I requested that you send it on credit, promising to pay for same later. I found it impossible to fulfil my promise, but will again promise to meet my obligations as soon as I secure a position. I am at present unemployed. Please continue sending THE TOWER, for to me it is worth its weight in gold.

I could not have said this awhile ago. I must confess that during the past couple of years I have been very unfaithful. I was anything but a humble, faithful follower of the dear Lord. I was serving sin and self. I had no desire for "Present Truth," still I had enough respect for it to not combat it. I did not meet with the dear brethren. In short, I was very nearly trapped beyond hope of regaining freedom, in one of Satan's most successful devices, viz., Spiritism. I was induced to purchase a "ouija" board, "just for amusement"; but I dare say that that "amusement" almost cost me my "crown."

I spent all my spare time in operating the "board," and became so skilled in its manipulation that it would perform rather difficult feats with the least solicitation. A neighbor, having become fascinated upon seeing what the "little thing would do and say," purchased one for his own use. After trying to operate it (without success, however), he came to me, requesting that I "try my hand." Strange as it may appear, it did all I asked of it, and told me that it was a cousin to my board, and would "do anything" for me.

I can easily see that Satan, the chief operator of all "ouija" and planchette boards, was only trying with all his might to get me more firmly into his clutches. My good morals were not entirely destroyed, however, and the Adversary, knowing this, advised me not to neglect my brethren or my Bible. I then asked whether the DAWNS are a correct interpretation of God's Word. To this the reply came, "Yes; the DAWNS are correct, not only in doctrine, but in chronology as well." I then asked by what power the board was operated. It answered, "By evil, spirit power." It further confessed to me that the spirits who operate the board have no other mission than to hinder all of the Lord's people. It further stated that they took "special delight in buffeting, hindering and endeavoring to ensnare Brother Russell and his colaborers at the Bethel Home."

After thus confessing, I concluded to destroy the board, which I finally did. Before the destruction it pleaded for mercy and tried every way to work on my sympathy. It told me that it would much rather be given away or sold.

Before closing, I wish to add that, shortly after I bought the "ouija," I asked it if there was any possibility of my ever becoming as accomplished as "Hermann the Great." The answer came, "No." This answer rather surprised me, and I wanted to know why it answered me thus. I used untold persuasion before I received the reason for the "No." And when I did get the answer, I got it a word at a time. The answer in substance follows: "Because God will not permit it." In order that I might not be mistaken I inquired as to what "God" was meant. I was informed that it meant "the Almighty."

I need not explain that such a reply shocked me. It bewildered me to think that Satan had to confess thus. If Satan, or any of his force, ever told the truth it was then. Yes, dear, beloved brethren, I am a miracle of the dear Father's grace, through the wonderful merit of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Oh, how my yearning heart goes out to Him for His love to me! -- I, the least of the least!

Dear ones, pray for me that I may stand all the tests that will come upon me to try me from now on. And if this letter should reach the remainder of the Lord's fold, I solicit all their prayers. I feel I need them. I feel my nothingness. I feel my need of a Savior now more than ever. And while I begrudge all the time I wasted in foolishness, I thank the dear Father for the lessons learned. I tried to write you several times during the past wasted years, but it seems as though it was not the proper time to do so. The battle was not yet completed. I feel that I have at last broken away from the Adversary, and, trusting to God's grace, I expect it to be final. I am sorry I consumed so much of your needed time by writing so lengthy a letter, but I could not keep quiet any longer.

In closing, I will request that you continue THE TOWER, for I need it, I want it, and I will pay both years' subscription as soon as possible. Thanking you for all past favors, and always making mention of you all in prayer since I have taken the blessed "Vow," I remain,

Yours in the only Hope,

HARRY W. DAVIDGE. N.J.

***

WatchTower Leader - Editor- Author Publicly Announces Demon Possession

As evidenced in the FINANCIAL BIOGRAPHY OF CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL, Clayton J. Woodworth was a top lieutenant to both C. T. Russell and his successor, J. F. Rutherford -- holding various corporate offices and directorships in both the two WatchTower Society corporations and various affiliated businesses. Woodworth authored the largest "Revelation" section of THE FINISHED MYSTERY book, and for such served prison time alongside "Judge" Rutherford. From 1919 until 1946, Woodworth was "editor" of THE GOLDEN AGE and CONSOLATION magazines (forerunners of THE AWAKE!). 

Well traveled and well known to Bible Students nationwide, at the Summer 1913 Bible Students' Convention in Asheville, North Carolina, Clayton Woodworth SHOCKED the audience when he confessed to having nearly fomented a coup against "Pastor" Russell.

Having been assigned a talk promoting "The Vow", Woodworth told the audience that he had been against "The Vow"from the very start. Woodworth initially believed it to be a contrivance of "Pastor" Russell's as a response to personal issues that had been raised during Russell's lengthy Divorce trial. Woodworth initially did not believe "The Vow" to be biblical.

"I thought that ... Brother Russell was wrong. ... I began to pray and to fight it ("The Vow") in my own way -- with the Scriptures. After a few months, the Scriptures ... began to open up ... demonstrating its unscripturalness. ... I prepared a 36-page book against "The Vow", ... in which all scriptures which seemed to be directly or indirectly against "The Vow" were arranged.

"I know now that all these Scriptures were suggested to my mind by the EVIL SPIRITS. One of the suggestions was that in the fifteenth chapter of Numbers, where it mentions the "Ribband of blue," it had reference, anti-typically, to "The Vow".

"But then these lying spirits turned the truth into a lie by claiming that "The Vow" had been suggested to Brother Russell by the evil spirits.

"There was a time for five consecutive nights when I never slept a wink. Then came a time when the strain was too much. My mind became unbalanced, and I came directly under the influence of evil spirits, so much so, that for three days I was completely under demonical control ... ."

Woodworth then claimed that the manuscript for his 36 page booklet was a result of "automatic writing" during his demon-possession. Woodworth further claimed that Russell had convinced him of at least one error, and his inquiry into such led to the breaking of the demon possession sufficient that he was able to destroy the manuscript.

Four years later, in 1917, Clayton Woodworth inserted the following commentary in THE FINISHED MYSTERY, pages 126-27:

"... Have you carefully and prayerfully read the comments on Rev. 7:1? Then brace yourself for the truth that it is evidently God's purpose soon to allow the minds of many of His little ones to become an open battle ground, upon which the fallen angels shall be judged, and the manner in which we meet the tests will prove our worthiness of crowns at the same time that it proves these disobedient spirits unworthy of life on any plane. This is something with which some but not many are yet familiar.

"Truly, we know the Apostle in writing of this evil day says, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wicked ones in heavenly places". (Eph. 6:12)

"Truly, we know the Lord Jesus, at the First Advent began His ministry with forty days of conflict with the Adversary, who all that time sought to sway His mind. (Matt. 4:1-11)

"Truly, we have reason to believe He must have had other terrible battles when He spent all night in prayer, and especially when He was so depressed in the garden of Gethsemane. But without actual experience it is quite impossible to conceive of the intensity of such struggles as Eph. 6:12 suggests. The base of the brain is seized as in a vise. Interpretations of Scripture, ingenious, but misleading beyond description, are projected into the mind as water might be projected through a hose. Visions may be tried, wonderful illuminations of the mind as by a soft but glorious greenish or yellowish haze. Seductive suggestions may be made, based on circumstances of the environment. Offers of inspiration may be made. The privilege of sleep may be taken away for days at a stretch. All this is with the object of forcing the unfortunate into at least temporary insanity so as to destroy big influence and, if possible, his faith in God. Failing in all other attempts, the mind may be flooded with thoughts that are vile beyond description. THEN REMEMBER THE VOW.

Undoubtedly, Clayton Woodworth is here describing in detail his own personal experience of demon possession as previously admitted at the Summer 1913 Bible Students' Convention in Asheville, North Carolina.

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Astrology Proposed As "God's Witness At Night".

Second only to Clayton J. Woodworth in mental instability was WatchTower Pilgrim Raymond G. Jolly. During 1914, as the expectations regarding October 1914 grew closer and closer, Raymond Jolly began delivering a "new teaching" during his scheduled Pilgrim visits. Only bad weather prevented this sermon's delivery at the June 1914 WatchTower Convention in New Jersey. In August, Jolly delivered this sermon to the prominent "Temple Congregation" in Wash D.C.

The title of R.G. Jolly's new sermon was "THE DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES WITH STELLAR CORRESPONDENCIES". This sermon taught that just as the Great Pyramid was "God's Stone Witness", which concealed/revealed "The Divine Plan of the Ages", so God also had built the same into His design of the constellations such that "the stars should declare the Divine Plan of the Ages. ... Indeed the same Bible which points to the Great Pyramid, points also to the Heavens as declaring the wonderful Plan of Salvation."

It would appear that this new teaching must have had the blessing of Charles Taze Russell given all of the aforementioned, PLUS the fact that such teaching appears to be merely an extension of Russell's teachings in the May 1903 ZWT article discussed above. Here are excerpts from this sermon sufficient to give readers a good feel for what it taught:

IT is not my purpose in this discourse to present anything new, but merely to outline the simple Plan of the Ages, pointing out certain corroborations from the stars which God has set in the heavens. ... It is indeed wonderful that the stars should declare the Divine Plan of the Ages. Even though we should see exact correspondencies, we should be very slow to look upon the stars as having any special significance, were it not for the fact that God in His word points us to the heavens as showing forth His handiwork, declaring that He has ordained the stars for signs. Our principal thoughts will be in connection with the Zodiac, viz. -- the circle of stars lying in the earth's path about the sun. The word, Zodiac, comes from the Greek word Zoo, meaning life. It is this same word that is used in Revelation 4:7. to represent the living ones, improperly translated beasts. The Zodiac, then, is the circle in the heavens composed of figures representing Zodia, or living ones.

... we may suppose that the signs (the constellations) of the Zodiac are approximately as old as the human race and perhaps of Divine origin. This is also reasonable from three other standpoints: 1st -- Like the Bible, the Zodiac is ascribed to God by the most ancient; 2nd -- No nation has ever claimed the invention of the Zodiac, though doubtless they would have been glad to have had the honor had they invented it; and 3rd -- The higher critics of today, though denying the inspiration of the Scriptures, admit that there is a close and strange agreement between the Bible and the Zodiac. If, then, we find the Divine Plan written in these constellations, realizing that men could not have written a Plan that they did not even understand, it would be only reasonable to ascribe its origin to God. Indeed the same Bible which points to the Great Pyramid, points also to the Heavens as declaring the wonderful Plan of Salvation.

Psalm 19: "The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament (the expanse) showeth His handiwork (Strong -- the operation of his power). Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language; their voice is not heard (how true). ... ... ...

In considering the Zodiac, it will be necessary to carefully avoid the many errors that have attached themselves in connection with the various heathen religions. The very fact that there is a false [religion], proves that there is a true. There are twelve constellations in the Zodiac, the sun apparently passing through these signs at the rate of one a month. Each constellation, therefore, rules a month. During God's dealings with His typical people, viz., from the Exodus from Egypt till after Christ's death, the Vernal Equinox was in the constellation known as "The Ram," the Latin name for which is Aries. The signs are today universally designated by the Latin names. The month of the Spring Equinox, God fixed for Israel as their first month, Exodus 12:1-5. It would be proper, therefore, to begin reading at this point, the one fixed by God. We shall find that just as the twelve tribes were divided into four groups of three each, with the central tribe in each group bearing a standard, so the Zodia are arranged in a similar manner. There are four groups of three each, the central one corresponding to a standard in the camp of Israel. The first group, according to the chart of the Zodiac will consist of Aries, Taurus, and Gemini, with Taurus (the bullock) corresponding to the standard of Ephraim, the son of Joseph. ... ...

The Pleiades, the center of the universe, are located in Taurus, and as though to emphasize the foundation, the original meaning of Alcyone, one of the chief stars of the Pleiades, is "foundation." How significant that the whole universe should throughout the Ages swing about that constellation and that star which alone picture so clearly the Ransom! The bullock offered on the brazen altar in the court was indeed the foundation: it represented the sacrifice of our Lord. The bullock in the sky represents the very same thing. ... Was man aware of God's plan when he named this star, or did God supervise its naming to harmonize with Deuteronomy 33:17? ... The importance of the foundation is again emphasized in both the first and the second Jewish temples, for the foundations of both these temples were laid in the second month, the month ruled by Taurus. So also the foundation of God's Antitypical Temple was laid at Calvary when the bullock was slain. ... ... ...

While Taurus sets the standard for the first quarter of the Zodiac, viz., that of sacrifice and the consequent power growing from this as a foundation, Aries emphasizes the humility and service rendered by the Lord as the Paschal Lamb. True to its standard, Aries is a sacrificial animal. It is a ram, for the Passover lamb as specified in Exodus 12:1-5 was to be a male of the first year. The lamb was to be slain in the first month, the month of Nisan, so the ram was placed in the sky as the sign of the first month, and Jesus was also slain on the 14th day of the first month. All is in perfect harmony! ... ...

Gemini, then, may be considered as an emblem of the Atonement, especially as applied to the New Creatures, united in Christ. ... ...

As the lion was the standard of the tribe of Judah which pitched toward the sun rising (Numbers 2:3), so Leo is the standard of the second portion of the Zodiac; it pictures the newly risen lion of the tribe of Judah, who prevailed to open the seals of the Book. ... In Genesis and Ezekiel, as we have already seen, the newly risen Lord, is called respectively a lion's whelp and a young lion. ... ...

In Cancer, the first sign of Resurrection and Life, ... ... ...

Virgo, then, pictures the lowly beginning of the church, and it also emphasizes the Seed. The branch in the right hand of Virgo may represent the Lord as a part of the promised Seed. We read in Zechariah 6:12, 13 -- "Behold the man whose name is The Branch; He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord (Jehovah): Even He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both." We shall see this fulfilled in the last quarter of the Zodiac. ... ... ...

Brother Russell has shown in the Pyramid Chapter that Alpha Draconis, the dragon-star, is "a symbol of sin and Satan." The original meaning attached to the Little Bear, was "Salvation," and the meaning of the New Polar Star is, "Judge of Heaven," and "Life of Heaven." The dragon star, the guide of the Ages, has been supplanted by the New Polar Star; just so Satan, the ruler of this evil world, is about to be supplanted by the Judge of Heaven, the Savior, who shall guide everyone to the fountain of eternal life. ... ... ...

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UNBELIEVABLE!!!

Jehovah and Jesus Demoted!

Angels Promoted!

ZION'S WATCH TOWER

February 15, 1915

The Ministry Of Angels

(edited)

... To assume that God is in every place, in every niche of space throughout the Universe, seems to us an absurdity, not taught in the Bible; and to assume that God knows about every little tadpole, pollywog, microbe, or that He even takes knowledge of every act of each one of the human family, when there are millions upon millions of these, is beyond our understanding.

If we should limit God's attention to the Church, still there are thousands of these; and the capacity to understand and deal with ten or twenty thousand people in an instant seems to us to be an impossibility. Nor would such an arrangement be what we would expect God to have. ...

We read that "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him"; also, "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." But this does not give us the thought that God personally beholds every individual act of every person on earth, but that He takes cognizance of matters throughout the world by means of His power, His agencies. These "eyes" referred to are the Lord's influence, His power of knowing, whatever the means. Whether His power is exercised and His will executed through angels or through other forces and agencies, it makes no difference ...

Now ... we can appreciate our Heavenly Father more by thinking of Him as having full ability to come into communication with His children, and as having various agents of communication. God has means, no doubt, far superior to any of ours. He has not revealed the matter clearly to us except to tell us that He is informed respecting all that concerns us, as well as respecting all the affairs of the world. He does tell us that angels are His ministers, and that these have a charge over His people. "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" They do not minister in the sense of directly providing bread for us, nor in the sense of cooking our food, nor of building our houses -- in none of these ways do they minister. How, then, do they serve us? We have no way of knowing positively how they serve except from the words of our Lord Jesus, that the angels of God's "little ones" always behold the face of the Father, always have access to Him.

The fact that these angels represent the Lord's "little ones" would imply that they would have immediate access to God and have immediate attention. What would be the use of the Father's receiving the angels into His presence unless there was something to be communicated? Our understanding is that God's knowledge of our affairs and interests is gained by methods with which we are not acquainted. We may assume, however, that the mediums used are largely the angelic messengers. ... Just so God has certain laws ... that govern His entire Universe; that the angels have insight into these laws; and that they are Jehovah's deputies, ...

... the Lord Jesus is the Chief Messenger, or Angel, of Jehovah. He has surely been the Chief Messenger to the Gospel Church. Our thought, then, is that through the angels and other agencies God is governing the world, and especially caring for His people, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Head of all the Divine spiritual powers and has charge of all Jehovah's affairs. We have been brought into the School of Christ. He is our Teacher. When we go to the Father in prayer, we do not ignore this Teacher, but we go in His name; and we are not to suppose that the Father would ignore Him. He would be the Father's Representative in dealing with us. But we are not to suppose that the Lord Jesus has every detail of the affairs of the world under His personal supervision; but rather that those angels report to Him whatever is necessary, and that thus there are certain principles operating. This seems to us to be the reasonable and logical arrangement of Divine operations. ...

In view of the fact that the Church has been put under the special guidance of the Lord Jesus, it would not be a far-fetched thought that Jehovah encampeth round about His people through Jesus, and that the angels are under His direction. If Satan is the chief of his band of angels, so our Lord would have angels under His control, and He would be their Prince. ... So we think of all the spirit beings as under the direction and guidance of Jesus Christ. Into His hands God has committed all power in Heaven and on earth. All the angels of God were made subject to Him; and through these, under the control of our Lord, all the interests of God's people are supervised. This is our thought, and we like to think so.

EACH SAINT HAS HIS MINISTERING ANGEL

While we may not be too positive in our interpretation on this subject, we understand that each one of the Lord's people, in proportion as he is one of God's true children, has a ministering spirit, a person, an angel, who has charge of his affairs. This angel makes his report to the Lord, whether monthly, weekly or hourly we do not know. If God sees this to be the wise, proper course, we have every confidence in His Wisdom. Whatever God has arranged is fully satisfactory to us in this matter, and we are sure that it is quite right and fully in harmony with the Divine character.

... after the Gospel Dispensation was ushered in, outward demonstrations, such as the gifts of the Holy Spirit -- the gift of healing, the gift of tongues, the interpretation of tongues, and discerning of spirits -- and angelic visitations passed away; and that during the Gospel Age it has been God's will that the Spiritual House of Israel should walk by faith and not by sight, and that therefore it would be inappropriate after the Church was fully established to expect angels to appear, to manifest themselves outwardly.

But the angels of the Lord, nevertheless, have a charge more particularly over us of the Gospel Church than over any other of the Lord's people at any previous time in the world's history. The Lord is especially interested in Spiritual Israel. These angels, then, care for us, supervise our affairs, and are God's agencies or channels of communication to us as to His will; that is, communication in the sense of providences for us, causing this providence or the other providence.

We would not give the thought of the angels whispering into our ears. We think that the angels which now whisper in the ear are the same ones that give table-tippings, planchette communications, communications through the hand by writing, and various other communications to the ear and the eye of spirit-mediums; namely, evil spirits, fallen angels. Our understanding is that the holy angels do nothing of the kind. The Lord's people of the present Age are to find their instruction in His Word. There is no need of a book on ... clairvoyant or clairaudient power for the Lord's children. These are all snares of the Adversary and his demons.

The followers of Christ have the Bible and the invisible ministries of the holy angels to provide for their interests and to providentially guard and guide their affairs. This, to us, is very real and of great comfort. If we had the thought that God was doing all this personally, we would think that He had certainly forgotten us. But having the assurance of His Word that not a hair of our heads can fall to the ground without our Father's attention, our mind can rest in the fact that He accomplishes His purposes in Christ for His children through the ministrations of the holy angels.

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THE FINISHED MYSTERY (1917)

Page 326-27

The twelfth, an amethyst -- Royalty. ... Amethyst was Pastor Russell's birth-stone; and behold how perfect its application! He was true blue in his faithfulness, and fully loyal to the blood of Christ, as shown by the red. He has the royalty now, thank God! The cup which he poured never intoxicated with error those who drank its life-giving draughts from the Fountain of all Truth, our Father's Word. The six-sided crystallization represents his Six Volumes of Scripture Studies and this the Seventh, a summary of all, represents the stone as a whole.

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"Angels and Women" Novel Recommended To Bible Students

In the July 30, 1924 issue of THE GOLDEN AGE, Clayton Woodworth reviewed the book "Angels and Women". Historically, Woodworth claimed that the Society normally did not review books in THE GOLDEN AGE except when they believed in the book enough or thought it was an important work.

"'ANGELS AND WOMEN' is the title of a book just off the press. It is a reproduction and revision off the novel, "Seola" which was written in 1878, and which deals with conditions prior to the flood. Pastor Russell read this book with keen interest, and requested some of his friends to read it because of its striking harmony with the Scriptural account of the sons of God described in the sixth chapter of Genesis. Those sons of God became evil, and debauched the human family prior to, and up to, the time of the great deluge. We call attention to this book because we believe it will be of interest to Bible Students, who are familiar with the machinations of the devil and the demons and the influence exercised by them prior to the flood and also now in this evil day. The book throws light on the subject and is believed, will aid those who carefully consider it to avoid the baneful effects of spiritism, now so prevalent in the world.

"The book is revised and published by a personal friend of Pastor Russell, and one who was close to him in his work. It is published by the A. B. Abac Company, New York city.

"The publishers advise that the regular price of the book is $2.00; but to all subscribers to The Golden Age, it will furnished at $1.00 per volume, when ordered in lots of ten or more. This is not an advertisement, but a voluntary comment."

The WatchTower Society's endorsement of ANGELS AND WOMEN apparently received mixed reviews from the not-as-stupid-as-Woodworth-thought-they-were "Bible Students". Most Bible Students probably viewed this book for it was -- spiritism; while only a few Bible Students understood that this book promoted the Society's belief that some demons could repent and come back to God's organization.

Typically, during those few occasions when the rank-and-file have refused to go along with one of the WatchTower Society's unbiblical money-making schemes, the WatchTower Society picked out one genuine letter which expressed concern, and then fabricated a letter expressing support, as a response.

Then, in the December 3, 1924 issue of THE GOLDEN AGE:

Angels and Women

WE PRESENT some letters regarding this book (a review of which recently appeared in our columns) which we feel sure will be of interest to our readers:

TO THE GOLDEN AGE:

Pardon me for taking this much of your time on what may be so simple a matter; but I was approached about going into a club to get a certain book called, "Angels and Women". I made some inquiries, and was told that it was a book that a fallen angel dictated to a women, showing a desire to come back into harmony with God; and that Pastor Russell approved of the book. I had never heard of the book before; and as we are to shun anything akin to spiritism I should like to know positively whether the book has your approval before buying one; so if it is not asking to much would like a reply.

(Mrs.) W. S. Davis, Los Angeles, Cal.

TO THE GOLDEN AGE:

With much pleasure and profit has the book, "Angels and Women" been read by Truth friends. It contains much to encourage one to loyalty and faith in God.

Do you think that it would be a real service to purchase these books in quantities of ten or more copies at a time so as to get the special $1 per copy rate that you have so kindly secured for us, and thus to have them on hand as Christmas and birthday presents or for other gift occasions to give to our relatives and friends, whom we have been unable to otherwise interest in Present Truth or only slightly so?

Would not some be disposed to read a fascinating novel of this kind, who might not be able to get first interested in "The Harp" or STUDIES?

Would this not be considered one way of instructing the people about matters concerning which there is so much ignorance, and direct them to the real Bible keys, the WATCH TOWER publications?

Should we send such orders to THE GOLDEN AGE?

If not, will you kindly give us the complete address of the A. B. Abac Company? There are many who would like to get a little more information regarding these items.

An Appreciative Reader

___________________

Reply

TO BOTH above letters we reply as follows:

When Pastor Russell was here, he read a book dealing with conditions that obtained prior to the flood. He requested some other brethren to read it. It was so much in harmony with the Bible account of the fallen angels that he regarded the book as remarkable. Under his supervision it was revised, and later published by one who was formerly his confidential associate. The new book is published under the title "Angels and Women". Scriptural citations are given. An appendix is added. Pastor Russell remarked that at some opportune time the book, revised, should be published.

As to its being a violation of the Vow to read this book, such an idea is not worthy of consideration. It would be no more wrong to read it than to read "What Say the Scriptures about Spiritism" or "Talking With the Dead"; for both these books quote much as to what the evil spirits do. Many have derived much benefit from reading "Angels and Women" because it aids in getting a clearer vision of how Satan overreached the angels and overreached the human race, and caused all the havoc amongst men and angels. It helps one to a better understanding of the devil's organization.

The book is published by the A. B. Abac Company, Madison Square, P.O. Box 101, New York City, N. Y.

THE GOLDEN AGE does not handle this publication; but all who desire it should write directly to the publisher at the above address.

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Here is the "Foreword" as published in "Angels and Women". It pretty much speaks for itself:

FOREWORD

TRITE but true is the saying, "Truth is stranger than fiction." Fiction sometimes illuminates the truth.

A number of years ago Mrs. J. G. Smith published a novel entitled Seola. She claims to have been impelled to write it after listening to beautiful music. She made no pretense of a knowledge of the Bible. Yet many of her sayings are so thoroughly in accord with the correct understanding of certain scriptures that the novel is exceedingly interesting and sometimes thrilling.

The greatest Bible scholar of modern times read this book shortly before his death. To a close personal friend he said : "This book, if revised according to the facts we now know concerning spiritism, would be instructive and helpful." Long prior thereto this noted Bible scholar had written and published the first clear exposition of the Bible teaching on spiritism. He advised his personal friend to revise the novel Seola and to publish it if opportunity was afforded at some future time.

This book deals with the events transpiring between the date of the creation of man and the great deluge. The principal characters figuring in the novel are Satan, fallen angels and women. Angels are heavenly messengers. There was a time when all angels were good. The time came when many of them allied themselves with Satan and became evil, hence called "fallen angels." Woman possesses finer sensibilities than man. She is more susceptible to seductive influences. Satan and his allies have taken advantage of this fact in overreaching woman and through woman overreaching man. Holy angels are the exemplification of good. Good women are blessed creatures. Evil spirit beings started good human beings on the downward road. Evil angels and bad women have made countless millions mourn.

The Bible story of fallen angels or evil spirits is briefly told as follows:

Lucifer, once a good spirit being, of great knowledge and authority, in order to satisfy his ambitious desire for greater authority, deceived Eve, the first woman, causmg her to sin. Adam, the first man, joined her in the transgression. The sentence of death and expulsion from Eden resulted. Nine hundred and thirty years were employed in executing that death sentence. During that time there was bom to Adam and Eve a number of children. Sixteen hundred years later, among these descendants of Adam and Eve, were Noah and his family.

Lucifer, now degraded, was named by Jehovah the Dragon, that old Serpent, Satan the Devil. God had permitted the angels, prior to the flood, to have supervision of the peoples of earth, (Hebrews 2:3.) These angels had power to materialize in human form and mingle amongst the human race. Satan seduced many of these angels and caused them to become wicked or fallen ones. They in turn debauched the women descendants of Adam. The materialized angels, called "sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose." (Genesis 6:2.) A mongrel race resulted from these fallen angels with the offspring of Adam. These filled the earth with wickedness and violence. Their wickedness became so great that the Lord Jehovah brought upon the world the great deluge that destroyed all of this mongrel race.

The sons of God who succumbed to the temptations and thus became the fallen angels are alluded to as "Devas" in this book; their offspring as "Darvands." The fallen angels or evil spirits were not destroyed in the flood, but imprisoned in the darkness of the atmosphere near the earth. Upon this point the inspired words of holy writ are: "For God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment." (2 Peter 2:4.) "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." (Jude 6.)

The fallen angels or evil spirits were not destroyed in the flood, but imprisoned in the darkness of the atmosphere near the earth. Upon this point the inspired words of holy writ are: "For God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment." (2 Peter 2:4.) "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day." (Jude 6.)

Since the flood these evil angels have had no power to materialize, yet they have had the power and exercised it, of communicating with human beings through willing dupes known as spirit mediums. Thus have been deceived hundreds of thousands of honest people into believing that their dead friends are alive and that the living can talk with the dead.

All students, familiar with the Bible teaching concerning spiritism, will read this book with the keenest interest because it shows the method employed by Satan and the wicked angels to debauch and overthrow the human race. The reviser of this book is of the opinion that the original manuscript was dictated to the woman who wrote it by one of the fallen angels who desired to return to divine favor. It is believed that reverential persons now examining the revised edition of this book will have a better understanding of the evil influence about us and be better fortified in the Lord's word and grace to shield and protect themselves from these evil influences.

Spiritism, otherwise named demonism, is working great evil amongst men. It should be studiously avoided. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Hence this publication.

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"Judge" Rutherford "FIRES" Holy Spirit -- Claims To Be Led By "Angels"

It is a fundamental belief of true Christians that God sent the Holy Spirit to guide and direct the Christian congregation from its very founding. True Christians also believe in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit -- that the Holy Spirit guides, directs, and even "speaks" to true Christians, personally.

Practically all Jehovah's Witnesses would agree with the first statement. Some Jehovah's Witnesses might agree with the second statement.

Probably NO JEHOVAH"S WITNESS today knows that, from 1930 until 1944, that the WatchTower Society taught that whatever "holy spirit" had been leading it until then had been withdrawn from both the WatchTower Society and so-called "anointed" Jehovah's Witnesses. 

"Judge" Rutherford introduced this new teaching based on the WatchTower's main teaching that Jesus Christ had become "King" in 1914. Further teaching that Jesus Christ had "come to the temple of Jehovah God" in 1918, Rutherford reasoned that Jesus had taken over from the "holy spirit" the guidance and direction of the WatchTower Society and its anointed members. More specifically, Rutherford began teachings that Jesus had begun using "angels" as his agents to do the work previously done by the "holy spirit".

In 1930, in the September 1 issue of THE WATCHTOWER magazine, page 263, Rutherford declared, "It was the holy spirit that operated upon (sic) the minds of men in the early church ... , but now the Lord Jesus ... is in his temple, and, acting by and through his holy angels, puts it into the mind and heart of the remnant class to take positive action and to do a certain work, ... . ... When Jesus came to his temple ... he would direct his holy angels to take the necessary action ... , and would use his angels to bear messages .... it is the angels of the Lord that are charged with certain work ... ."

In the 1931 YEARBOOK, in the comments for November 2, Rutherford stated, "With the Lord's coming to his temple (in 1918), there was no further need for the administration of the holy spirit as a comforter or advocate."

In 1931, in the June 1 issue of THE WATCHTOWER magazine, page 167, as well as in 1932, in the PRESERVATION book, page 51, Rutherford stated, "After the holy spirit as an advocate or paraclete ceased to function in behalf of the consecrated, then the angels are employed in behalf of those who are being made ready for the kingdom."

In 1933, in the August 1 issue of THE WATCHTOWER magazine, page 231, in an article attempting to interpret Zechariah 1, Rutherford stated, "This is proof that the interpretation of prophecy does not proceed from man, but that the Lord Jesus ... sends the necessary information to his people by and through his holy angels."

In 1933, in the August 15 issue of THE WATCHTOWER magazine, page 248, Rutherford declared, "... the angels of the Lord ... are used to enlighten and comfort the anointed ones and to bring them refreshing truths. ... the Lord enlightens them, sending his angels for that very purpose."

In 1933, in the the December 1 issue of THE WATCHTOWER magazine, page 364, in an article attempting to interpret Daniel's prophecy, Rutherford first declared that the "desolating of the temple" had begun on May 25, 1926, and had run 2300 days until October 15, 1932, which marked the "cleansing of the temple". Attempting to convince local Jehovah's Witnesses that they must obey orders from the WatchTower Society, Rutherford declared that "angels are delegated by the Lord to convey his instructions to the members of his organization on earth. Just how this is done is not necessary for us to understand."

With that last comment, Rutherford made it clear that he had no intention to disclose how "angels" were communicating with him. That is understandable. Given the fact that by 1930, "Judge" Rutherord was a serial adulterer with multiple Bethelite mistresses, and was well on his way to being a full-blown alcoholic, and given WatchTower Society Leaders track record with demon possesion and demon fascination, any honest hearted Jehovah's Witness should be extremely concerned as to WHICH "angels' were guiding and directing "Judge" Rutherford!

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WatchTower Society Finds More "TRUTHS" From Satan

Johannes Greber was once a Catholic priest who either was excommunicated or allowed to resign due to his spiritistic beliefs and/or practices. Greber, a German, authored a book entitled, "Communication with the Spirit World, Its Laws and Its Purpose", which was copyrighted in the United States in 1932. Greber also authored "The New Testament -- A New Translation and Explanation Based on the Oldest Manuscripts", which was copyrighted in the United States in 1937. Each book had a different NYC publisher. Neither Greber nor his publishers did anything to hide Greber's ties to spiritualism.

Thus, while others are claiming that the WatchTower knew about Greber's background around 1955, when the WatchTower Society first mentioned his name in one of their publications, in fact, whomever purchased his book(s), and whomever read his books, would have known Greber's background before 1955.

Another point is that the publishers had Greber's books professionally translated from German to English. A Committee of clergymen supposedly corrected the translation. I'm not wasting a lot of time on this issue, but has that "Committee" been identified? Which NYC "clergymen" would want to be connected with Greber and his new translation? There may be a good reason that John 1:1 is the same in Greber's 1937 translation as in the later NWT???

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THE WATCHTOWER

October 1, 1955

What Do the Scriptures Say About "Survival After Death"?

(edited)

33 Is such official Catholic teaching as the above an impenetrable defense against the invasion of spiritism? No! It is an invitation to spiritism, and the conditions in Roman Catholic lands, such as Peru, Costa Rica, Cuba and Haiti, show Roman Catholicism to be no bulwark against this spreading peril. In such lands the Catholic people, even up to 90 per cent, mix spiritism or voodooism right in with Roman Catholicism, practicing both at the same time with no objection or penalty by the priests. It comes as no surprise that one Johannes Greber, a former Catholic clergyman, has become a spiritualist and has published the book entitled "Communication with the Spirit World, Its laws and Its Purpose." (1932, Macoy Publishing Company, New York) In its Foreword he makes the typical misstatement: "The most significant spiritualistic book is the Bible; for its principal contents hinge upon the messages of the beyond to those existing in the present."-- THE WATCHTOWER, October 1, 1955, p. 603.

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