July 15th, 2010
Questions for Jehovah’s Witnesses
In the interim between being summoned by the elders and officially disassociating myself from the Watchtower organization, I wrote a paper that was initially going to be my disassociation letter. As I feverishly labored on the paper, it got longer and longer, and I decided it probably wouldn’t be very effective in my meeting, so instead I wrote a much shorter single page disassociation letter in addition to my “thesis”.
JW Thesis (PDF) Disassociation Letter (PDF)
Filed under: Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovahs witnesses are wonderful people ,I was brought up as a witness but i never was baptist,this organization is wonderful and i learned alot about the BIBLE and I know that this religion is the TRUTH,Everybody should listen to this Organization ,what a great RELIGION I got GReat UNDERSTANDING about the Bible ……..THANK YOU
You’re absolutely right. Many JWs are wonderful people, which should motivate us all the more to help them see the truth. They are desperately in need of God’s grace, as they are manipulated and deceived by a corrupt hypocritical organization. It is not the truth. Jesus Christ is the truth (John 14:6). Please read the PDFs above if you doubt what I say.
I don’t think what you are saying is true. It is a blasphemy. I’m not a JW but have studied a lot from them. If you have not gone contrary to what the bible has said you will not be disfellowshipped. It serves you right because you are an apostate and not needed in the christian congregation. This was what Felitus and others did and were disassociated. He who knows what is good and does otherwise it is a sin for him. JWs are good people leave them alone. If you cannot worship with them, concerntrate on where you are and leave them alone.
“It is a blasphemy” < -- Your words speak volumes, "Important". Questioning the teaching of the Watchtower is suddenly "blasphemy"? Is the Watchtower God now?
I have not gone contrary to what the Bible has said, but yet I was called before a JC meeting nonetheless. You can watch my meeting and read the transcript here --> http://yacawa.org/2010/07/15/jc-meeting/ . Now do you have anything substantial to say? Any direct criticisms or refutations of what I have to say? If so, I look forward to any future posts from you.
[Editor's Notification: While I appreciate your zeal, Mr. Mulholland, the comments on this site are not intended to be placeholders for verbose pre-prepared treatises of such length. Doing a quick search on Google, I noticed you previously posted this entire essay on thesecondadam.com (and for those who may be interested, Mr. Mulholland's words can be found here --> cached page). With that in mind, I hope you'll understand that I cannot leave such a lengthy comment posted on this site. If you'd like me to analyze your words and give you a point-by-point response, I would be happy to do so. You can e-mail me at ichthysguy@myspace.com. Thanks!]
I just wanted to ask two questions.
1. what is the witnesses understanding of 1Thess.4:16-17? 2. who are the “two witnesses” spoken of in Revelation who appear during the great tribulation?
[...] I was asked a couple of good questions on this blog entry which I felt really merited its own post. Who knows, if I get enough of these questions I might [...]
Hey, “Lavita”! Thanks for the questions. Above is linked an article with the answers for you :)
I have done bible study with the JW, These hours of asking hard questions about religious and spiritual matters were always answered in a respectful way. No one has all the answers which they freely admitted.
What truly woke me up was the truth about the trinity concept that much of Christianity is built upon. How could so many people be wrong about such a concept as the trendy trinity as I like to refer to it.
I am a lay person to bible study, but I did compile my own reference to the trinity belief. The scriptural references are very specific —- at no time did Yeshua state that he was G-d. Yeshua clearly stated that the Heavenly Father is greater than I.
I have also studied the Koran and anyone who truly reads it will soon come to the realization that the biblical reference errors were intentional as the scribes who wrote much of the Koran were most likely captured Jewish scribes and they purposely mistranslated these biblical reference errors, for what reason I don’t know.
So we have approx 2 billion people believing in scriptures that they have not studied, questioned and doubted their own religious scriptures. Unless one questions ones faith you have only half believed.
These words are not to offend anyone’s religious beliefs because in the end GOD is not Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or any other religion, GOD is only interested in what we are, the essence of our souls. For that is most likely all that will matter when we are judged in the book of life. We come into this life alone and we will leave alone, it is what we do in between that counts. Amen
Of course Yeshua stated that the Father was greater than He. For He “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:7)
When we say that Jesus is equal to the Father, we are talking in terms of nature not personhood (otherwise we would be talking about Modalism, not Trinitarianism). Jesus is not the same person as the Father, and God is more than one person.
Your point about Jesus never explicitly stating “I am God” is irrelevant, as one might as well argue that Jesus was not the Messiah because He never said “I am Christ,” did He?
Nonetheless, there are plenty of scriptures that demonstrate Christ’s Deity including the appellation of the Divine Name unto Himself in John 8:58, for which the jews that heard it attempted to stone Him. Consider the following…
Jehovah is the only true God (undisputed).
Jesus is the creator (Gen 1:26-27, Is 44:24, John 1:3, Rom 11:36, John 1:10, Eph 3:9, Col 1:15-16 [cp. Ps 89:27, Gen 41:51-52, Jer 31:9], Heb 1:8,10, 3:3-4) and sustainer (Col 1:17, Heb 1:3) of all things. He is the Savior (Is 43:11, Is 45:21, Hos 13:4, Titus 1:3,4, 2:13, 3:4, Titus 3:6, 2 Pet 1:1). He gives things that only God can give (John 1:12-13, Rev 2:23). He is the judge of all (John 5:22,23, 2 Cor 5:10) and has authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:5-7,10, Luke 5:21, 5:24, 1 Cor 8:12, Eph 4:32). He is all-seeing (1 Ki 8:39, Rev 2:23), omniscient (1 Ki 8:39, Matt 9:4, 12:25, Mark 2:8, Luke 6:8, 9:47, John 11:1, Col 2:2-3, Rev 2:23 [cp. 1 Ki 8:39]), and omnipresent (Matt 18:20, 28:20). Jesus was eternally preexistent (Micah 5:2, John 1:1, Col 1:17, Heb 7:3) and He never changes (Heb 1:8,10, 13:8). It is proper to serve Him (John 12:26, Rom 1:1, 1 Cor 4:1, 2 Cor 5:15, Gal 1:10, Phil 1:1, Col 3:24, 4:12, Jas 1:1, Jude 1), to pray to Him (John 14:14 [Kingdom Interlinear], Acts 7:59-60, 9:14, 9:20-21, 22:16, 22:17-19, Rom 10:9, 11-13, 1 Cor 1:2, 2 Cor 12:8-9, 1 Ti 1:12, Rev 22:20), to give Him glory (Is 42:8, 48:11, Dan 7:13-14, John 1:14, 5:22-23, 11:4, 13:31-32, 16:13-15, 17:5, Acts 3:13, Phil 2:9, Col 1:16, 2 Thess 1:12, 2 Pet 3:18, Rev 1:5-6, 5:11-14), and to worship Him (Matt 2:2,8,11, 4:10, 14:33, 28:9,16-17, John 9:38, Heb 1:6, Rev 5:8, 14:7 [cp. Acts 10:25, Rev 19:10, 22:8-9]). Jesus is Lord (Deut 10:17, Matt 12:8, John 20:27-28, Rom 10:9,11-13, Eph 4:4-5, James 2:1, Rev 17:14, 19:16) and is sovereign with His Father (Matt 25:31, 28:18, John 3:31,35, 13:3, 16:15, 17:10, Phil 2:9-11, Heb 1:2, 2:8, Rev 22:3). Being the Son of God (John 5:18, 10:28-33,36), He is also truly God (Deut 32:36,39, Is 9:6, 10:21, 43:10, 44:6 [cp. Is 48:12, Rev 1:17-18, 2:8, 21:6-7, 22:12-16,20], Matt 1:23, 13:41, John 1:1, 2:19,21 [cp. Acts 2:24], 5:18, 8:19,28,58-59 [cp. Ex 3:14; LXX], 10:28-33, 12:44, 13:19, 14:7-9, 15:13, 18:4-6, 20:28,29, Acts 20:28, Eph 3:19, Phil 2:6, Col 2:9, 1 Ti 3:15-16, Titus 2:13, Heb 1:3,4,8 [cp. Ps 45:6], 3:1-4, 2 Pet 1:1, 1 John 5:20, Rev 22:1-4) and Jehovah (Zech 2:8-11, 11:12-13 [cp. Matt 26:14-15], 12:1,10 [cp. Rev 1:7], 14:3-5 [cp. Matt 25:31, Acts 1:11-12], 14:5 [cp. 1 Thess 3:13], Matt 3:3, Mark 1:2-3, Luke 3:4, John 1:23, Luke 1:76 [cp. Is 40:3], Matt 21:15-16 [cp. Ps. 2:6], John 17:11,12, Rom 10:9,11-13 [cp. Joel 2:32], Phil 2:9, 1:4, 1:8,10 [cp. Ps 102:22-25]), together with His Father.
The Holy Spirit is a Person (Matt 3:16, 10:20, Mark 1:10, Luke 12:12, John 1:32, 14:16-17,26, 15:26, 16:7-8,13-15, Acts 1:16, 5:3,9, 10:19-20, 15:28, 20:23, Rom 8:16, 1 Cor 12:11, Eph 4:30, Heb 3:7, Heb 10:15, Rev 22:17), and is God (Gen 1:2 [cp. vs. 1], Matt 12:32, Luke 12:10, John 14:26, Acts 1:16 [cp. Heb 1:1], Acts 5:3-4, 28:25 [cp. Heb 1:1], 2 Cor 13:14, Heb 10:15-17) together with the Father and with the Son.
The Old Testament in several places indicates plurality in the Godhead (Gen 1:1,2,3, 1:26, 3:22, 11:7,9, Gen 18, 19:24, Ex 23:20-23 [cp. 1 Cor 10:4], Is 48:12,16, 63:7-14, Zech 2:8-11, 3:2]). As mentioned above, the Bible indicates both the deity of Christ and the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit. These factors, together with the deity of the Father (undisputed), produce a description of the Godhead in trinity. Especially in the New Testament, these three Persons are repeatedly spoken of as cooperating collectively (Matt 3:16-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, Matt 28:19, Luke 1:35, John 3:34-35, John 14:26, 16:13-15, Acts 2:32-33, 38-39, Rom 15:16,30, 1 Cor 12:4-6, 2 Cor 3:4-6, 13:14 [cp. 1 John 1:3], Gal 4:4-6, Eph 4:4-6, Heb 10:12,15, 1 Pet 1:2).
Taken from Chapter 6 of Kevin Quick’s Pilgrimage Through the Watchtower.
i was a jw for 38 yrs. some of the teachings are right. where they mess up, in my opinion are on displaying love. disfellowshipping is not loving, you can ask a person to leave the ” organization” but to never speak to them or try to help them spiritually again, is not supported in the Bible. they always made my family, feel we just didn’t fit in with there status we where not quite good enough. they claim they are the true religion and ” love” is proof of this. if this is so, why do most people leave? alot go because of the ” lack” of true christian love.my husband is still a jw. but if it is vital for salvation to be out in service and at all the meetings( because only jws get salvation) then why is it so hard for my husband to get members of the local congregation to pick him up for service or meetings. is a 10 or 15 min drive to much to expect one to sacrifice to help a believer gain his salvation?another quick point, they claim persecution proves they are God’s true organization. they make it sound like only the witnesses get beaten up and killed. this is not true!! many missionaries my church supports have members who have been attacked and killed.witnesses are for the most part nice people, but they do judge others even though they claim they don’t, the Bible principles are the grounds for their judging, they say, so it’s really God who judges.witnesses can’t question the organization in anything, and i know some have questions about the teachings. nevertheless, they continue to blindly follow the society “god” because they aren’t allowed to think logically about the Bible or listen to others thoughts about the scriptures.
Amen to that, Kathy.
my question is why can a person love somebody out the jw as long as that person respect the jw person believes
Why *can* a person love a JW? Your question is a little hard to parse, Tom, but suffice it to say Jesus said to love even one’s enemies, so of course we should love people of all persuasions. Many JWs are simply misled manipulated cultists who are kept in the dark by a corrupt hypocritical organization. Trying to enlighten their minds with truth and stir their hearts for Jesus is one of the most loving things a person can do for them.
I agree. Jehovahs witnesses are human beings just like everybody else. All they need is someone to put a light to the darkness and show them the way to salvation. Christ said to love everybody…not just a certain kind of person. Think about it…Christ hung out with the most notorious criminals and sinners in the world and showed them the light….so why should we not try to do the same for Jehovahs Witnesses?
I was a JW for 30 years, I disassociated in 2001.
What set me on the way out was their total lack of love and support at a time when I and my family needed it.
Eventually causing the family to split up.
This led me to look at them in a different light and began to research into their history and teachings.
After nearly three years of research I could no longer believe in what they taught, as I began to see it as nothing more than a man-made religion, so I left. Because of this my JW wife and two daughters have not had contact with me since 2001.
Incidentally how many JWs know that the Watchtower teaches that Jesus is NOT their Mediator, he is Mediator only to the “anointed”, that the ordinary JW only gains salvation by being a part of the Watchtower and recognising the “anointed” , especially the Governing Body.
I was a JW for nearly 40 years, an elder for some of that time. I do not believe that they have the truth, but what surprises me is the same mindset manifested by many Christians who all interpret the Bible in different ways and yet insist they have the truth, just like the JWs.
‘How sad the JWs are so misguided’, they all say. Yet there are 1000′s of Christian sects all claiming to have the truth. I have seen so many heated arguments between Christians over what the Bible says or means, over ancient Hebrew and Greek words, and my conclusion is that if there is a God, he either accepts all sincere seekers of Him, whichever way they interpret His Word, or he is a very inept author, who cannot get his message through to humankind in a simple, unequivical way.
For all the thousands of years of heartache and misery that has been generated by the Bible, I have come to the conclusion that the God of the Bible does not exist. I do not discount creation… or that there is a higher intelligence out there somewhere… but as regards the why’s and wherefores of how we got here and where we are going, I am in the same boat as every living human being, I dont know for sure.
Well, Ringwielder, I would have to say that the key difference here is that a great many Christian churches do not claim any kind of sole monopoly on “truth”. They might believe their particular doctrinal stances are the right ones (otherwise they wouldn’t believe them), but also affirm that we can have liberty on the non-essentials, retain unity in the essentials, and be charitable in all things.
And when it comes to the essentials, it’s not hard to interpret passages like John 14:6 or Ephesians 2:8,9. Namely that salvation only comes through faith in Jesus Christ which comes about purely by the grace of God, and this is something upon which thousands of Christian churches agree–and numerous cults deny in one way or another. That being said, I agree that God does not save anyone based on how they interpret the scriptures. In fact, He does not save anyone based on any thing a person thinks, says, or does at all! It is not a matter of anyone meriting the favor of God, whether that be through personal study, prayer, or good works (not even hours and hours of field service ;-) ). It is purely a work of God’s grace.
So, if by “sincere seeker” you mean a person that is truly looking for the way to God and accepts that Way when he finds Him (viz Jesus Christ), then absolutely. But that faith itself is a work of God’s sovereign grace in a person’s life.
The Bible does convey a simple message. I would say all the equivocating does not come from any ambiguity inherent in the text, but rather it comes from either getting bogged down in debates about the particular details (i.e. Were the “sons of God” in Genesis angels or merely descendants of Seth? To which I say, does it really matter all that much?) or intentionally obfuscating clear passages for some purpose of deception–either of self or others–such as with cults like the Watchtower.
How we got here, where we are going, and the particular meaning of it all is not something any person can sincerely say they *know* for an absolute certainty with complete lucidity. I mean, depending upon your epistemological definition of the word, it’s really a mystery how much we “know” at all. Suffice it to say, a lot of our understandings come down to a matter of faith. For better or worse, it is simply what we do–and should–live by.
Thanks for the comment! God bless.
Thank you for your comment as well, Gordy. My heart goes out to you and your family, and I’ll say a prayer for you and yours. Thanks again for sharing.
Hello.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and the results of your extensive research.
Having survived the Cult after 20 years of enslavement, I harold the plight and the fight of all former cronies and soon to be former cronies of the WTBTS.
Ironically the term ” Appostate ” has come to its most devilish fulfillment in the ultra hypocritical man made doctrines and printed pages of the WTBTS publications.
Belief in any man made orginazation as being above the standards layed forth in the BIBLE is apostasy.
Please continue to share your thoughts and knowledge, just as the first century christioans did.
Thanks and goodday to you.
um this here is not true I know what you say if not true I have read lies and twisted facts about jehovahs witnesses….do not believe such things that a man would say just like that but what it says in the bible and what makes jehovah witnesses different from many maybe all is that they research whats true
Would you care to point out what “lies” and “twisted facts” you’ve read here exactly, Joshua? We are called upon in scripture to expose darkness (Ephesians 5:11) such as error and falsehood, which was precisely my intent with this submission. So, if you are attempting to do the same, I applaud your motivation and I think everyone that reads your thoughts would benefit in the sharing.
So, please do continue. What “lies and twisted facts” have you read on this site…?
Jon,
THE ONLY way you could ever be disassociated from Jehovah’s witnesses is if you WERE actually BAPTIZED, Which sparks and intriguing thought. In your committee meeting with the elders, you acted as if you knew NOTHING of what Jehovah’s witnesses believed and preached and this was the first time you had the chance to ask all of your “questions”.
However, what you have shared with the public on this website is far from the truth and reality of the situation. What you know, and what you have not told is the years that have led up to the point of your meeting that you defiantly recorded with only your side of the story.
There are MULTIPLE steps a person must take before being ALLOWED to get baptized as one of Jehovah’s witnesses and vow to Jehovah god before the congregation that you have invested your life to him and the truth that Jehovah’s witnesses believe. If a person is actively pursuing this step of baptism in the congregation it would be at LEAST a year long course of being studied with and having all your “QUESTIONS” being answered BEFORE you make such a weighty commitment. After this process, if you still are determined that this is what you believe and you want to make this dedication you make appointments to meet with 4 brothers separately. These brothers ask you multiple questions based of the Beliefs from the bible and ask if you agree with them and get your input. All four brothers met and determine if you in fact DO UNDERSTAND what you have learned and if YOU DO BELIVE it.
This next step would be the actual baptism in front of the congregation.
Now after ALL of this, why would you come back to the brothers with such insulting “questions” and attitude when you had so much time and dedication put into making sure this IS what YOU wanted? Either you faked your way through the process with an underlying goal to do this in the end or you had a lobotomy recently. those are the only two options present after hearing what you were saying, if I were the brothers in the meeting, I would have kicked you out much faster. You have a big problem with authority, that’s your issue no matter where you will ever go.
Hi Brook. I would like to share something with you.
“Well, since that is the case, then we do not necessarily have to insist or
even expect that everything is going to be through and over-with by
September the fifth this year, but rather, since there is an interval of time
that must follow before six thousand years of human creation from Eve’s
coming on the scene, things could happen in that interval of time that yet
remains to be measured off in our experience, before the thousand-year
reign of Jesus Christ begins. (1:03:36)
Therefore we see that September the fifth of this year does not mean
that we are six thousand years into the seventh creative day, the Sabbath
Day of Jehovah God and that immediately after September the fifth, why, the
Millennial Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ must begin in order to fulfil the
final thousand years of God’s great seventh creative day….So, it can come quickly within a short time after the terminal day of
the lunar year, nineteen hundred and seventy-five, and we should not jump
to wrong decisions on that account, and say, ‘well, the time after September
the fifth, nineteen seventy-five, is indefinitely long and so it’ll allow for me
to realise my human aspirations, getting married and raising a family and
kids or going to college for a few years and learning engineering and finding
a fine position as an engineer, a civil engineer, or electrical engineer or some
other prominent fine-paying job. (1:07:45)…This generation is pretty-well near the close of its life-expectancy
here upon this earth and Jesus said this was going to come within this
generation! So, if we know anything, we know that the kingdom of God in its
destructive work toward the Devil’s organisation, and the ushering in of the
Great Sabbath Day of which the Lord Jesus Christ will be king, that day, that
day and hour which God has fixed is here! Now, let’s not fool ourselves
about the matter and start making plans and entering into projects which are
not warranted by the lateness of the hour. Even if we don’t know how long
after September fifth, nineteen seventy-five, the time will extend itself.
(1:10:35)
Therefore dear friends, let’s take the equilibrated view with regard to
nineteen hundred and seventy-five and not make unwarranted predictions
and be found to be false prophets.” – Full Transcript (http://jehovahswitnesstrial.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/what-is-the-significance-of-1975.pdf): What is the Significance of
1975?
: Special World-wide Talk Given by Fredrick W. Franz, Vice-President of
the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles,
California 10/2/75
(Recording found at: http://www.archive.org/details/)
Then read this and meditate on the significance of this: Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their eagerness for Jesus’ second coming, have suggested dates that turned out to be incorrect. Because of this, some have called them false prophets. Never in these instances, however, did they presume to originate predictions ‘in the name of Jehovah.’ Never did they say, ‘These are the words of Jehovah.’ The Watchtower, the official journal of Jehovah’s Witnesses, has said: “We have not the gift of prophecy.” (January 1883, page 425) “Nor would we have our writings reverenced or regarded as infallible.” (December 15, 1896, page 306) The Watchtower has also said that the fact that some have Jehovah’s spirit “does not mean those now serving as Jehovah’s witnesses are inspired. It does not mean that the writings in this magazine The Watchtower are inspired and infallible and without mistakes.” (May 15, 1947, page 157) “The Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic.” (August 15, 1950, page 263) “The brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers. (2 Tim. 3:16) And so, at times, it has been necessary, as understanding became clearer, to correct views. (Prov. 4:18)”—February 15, 1981, page 19.
I guess as the article preceding the footnotes suggests, people have a tendency not to listen after the ‘boy cries wolf ‘ too many times. It isn’t the fact that so many mistakes can be so easily ‘explained’ by a ‘technicality’ in a magazine that, for so many decades has proclaimed an eschatological message with the missionary statement (no pun inteded) on the front of its pages: “Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom,” it’s the lack of modesty in the attitude that some are now picking up rather than the humility one might expect of a truly humbled ‘human’ organisation before their God.
Perhaps this is what people like Jon pick up on.
If we are to take what you say literally, then you are right. Jon might be sarcastic, impertinent, revolutionary, but at least he’s up front about things that were bothering him. I thought that was what judicial hearings were about. Ultimately saving an individual from himself and his wicked reasoning. Have you ever thought that a contract work two ways? It wasn’t Jon that got angry nor was it he who attempted to end the dialogue. Do you honestly think that the behavior of this panel was warranted under the circumstances? Please, I would like your opinion on this.
Anonymous
Oh, I forgot , the Footnote was from The Awake! 1993 22nd March, pp. 3-4 “Why So Many False Alarms?
Why So Many False Alarms?”
To clarify: The ‘Footnote’ refers to the paragraph, (which should have quote marks on it) beginning with: “Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their eagerness…” to “…became clearer, to correct views. (Prov. 4:18)”—February 15, 1981, page 19.”
Hi Brook, Lesson Two on Reasons Why Some People Question What They’re Taught: The Power of Pejoratives.
The Encarta Dictionary defines a ‘pejorative’ as: “a word, expression, or affix that expresses criticism or disapproval”
The same dictionary defines ‘affix’ as: “Attribute something; to ascribe something such as responsibility or blame, to somebody.”
“15 Regarding them, the psalmist said: “Do I not hate those who are intensely hating you, O Jehovah, and do I not feel a loathing for those revolting against you? With a complete hatred I do hate them. They have become to me real enemies.” (Psalm 139:21, 22) It was because they intensely hated Jehovah that David looked on them with abhorrence. Apostates are included among those who show their hatred of Jehovah by revolting against him. Apostasy is, in reality, a rebellion against Jehovah. Some apostates profess to know and serve God, but they reject teachings or requirements set out in his Word. Others claim to believe the Bible, but they reject Jehovah’s organization and actively try to hinder its work. When they deliberately choose such badness after knowing what is right, when the bad becomes so ingrained that it is an inseparable part of their makeup, then a Christian must hate (in the Biblical sense of the word) those who have inseparably attached themselves to the badness. True Christians share Jehovah’s feelings toward such apostates; they are not curious about apostate ideas. On the contrary, they “feel a loathing” toward those who have made themselves God’s enemies, but they leave it to Jehovah to execute vengeance.—Job 13:16; Romans 12:19; 2 John 9, 10.” – Watchtower 1993, 1st October, p. 19 par. 15 “Search Through Me, O God”
In one single paragraph of 208 words we find such words as:
Hate – 3 times
Hating – 1 time
Hatred – 2 times
Apostate(s) – 4 times
Apostasy – 1 time
Reject – 2 times
God – 2 times
Jehovah – 7 times
Jehovah’s Organisation – 1 time
Bad – 2 times
Badness – 1 time
Enemies – 2 times
Abhorrence – 1 time
Revolt – 1 time
Rebellion – 1 time
Loathing – 1 time
Hinder – 1 time
Additionally, expressions such as: “Intensely hated Jehovah,” “looked on them with abhorrence.” “hatred of Jehovah,” “revolting against him,” “rebellion against Jehovah,” “reject teachings or requirements,” “reject Jehovah’s organization,” “deliberately choose,” “so ingrained,” “Christian must hate,” “True Christians,” “feel a loathing,” “made themselves God’s enemies,” “execute vengeance.”
Some questions:
Was King David talking about apostates when he wrote these lyrics? (Psalm 139:21, 22)
Why are such feelings on the part of true Christians ‘encouraged’ about their (ex) brothers and sisters when Jesus commanded that we love our enemies and pray for those persecuting us?
Why does the disassociated one receive the same treatment of extreme shunning as do these “haters of God”?
How exactly is apostasy defined so that it should receive such abhorrent hatred on the part of gentle, kind Christians?
Though one elder in Jon’s trial was likely badly quoting Psalm 139:21, 22 when he railed against him, how is the apparent contradiction between Christian love and Biblical hatred reconciled? (“In a god-like form I certainly do hate you…”)
Why would they not answer Jon’s questions, if for no other reason than to provide a good witness for Jon’s friend (let alone the rest of us)?
Is it truly a voluntary decision for a person to leave (disassociate) from this organisation as is often stated when few ever truly understand the full consequences of their actions?
Do they understand at the time of their baptism that their former brothers and sisters, relatives, and friends will be obliged to view them in light of the above publication (WT) quote?
If you would like to comment, please do.
FV
Hey Brook,
First of all, thanks for commenting. I was indeed baptized into the cult… when I was 13 years old. Having been raised in the cult, I had no reason to question what I was being taught and accepted it relatively blindly. As one of my favorite quotes from The Truman Show goes–”we accept the reality of the world with which we’re presented.”
Brook you stated “In your committee meeting with the elders, you acted as if you knew NOTHING of what Jehovah’s witnesses believed and preached and this was the first time you had the chance to ask all of your ‘questions’.”
I’m not sure if I acted as ignorantly as you state. I shared several quotes from the Watchtower publications in the course of the discussion after all. My intent was not to act ignorant, but rather to ask thoughtful questions to encourage discussion (as I was raised to do at the door as a JW with householders).
For instance, the elders asked me “What is your thinking today is what in regards to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society?”
So, I asked in return “Well what should it be?”
Note that I never stated “I don’t know,” but simply asked them to define what my “thinking” should be, since that was supposedly their goal in holding the meeting in the first place–to “adjust my thinking.”
Is that really an unfair question?
Now, when the elder graciously defined for me the position I am supposed to hold–that of unwavering loyalty to a group of old men in Brooklyn, NY–I asked “What basis would I have to believe that?”
I asked that, because the truth of the matter is that there is no solid basis to believe that. It’s a matter that’s taken on blind credulity vaguely informed by a convoluted misinterpretation of Biblical prophecy as given by the same organization that is claiming authority. And whenever this presumption is finally question, the only response is “YOU SHOULD ALREADY KNOW THIS!” and/or “This is teaching of God’s organization! Are you questioning God’s organization?!?”
This is called circular reasoning, and if I can formulate it, it goes something like this…
#1. The Watchtower is God’s organization.
Q: How do we know the Watchtower is God’s organization?
#2. According to the Watchtower, the Bible says so.
Q: How do we know that this interpretation is incorrect?
#3. Refer to #1
See the loop?
So in regards to your other sentiments, do you really think a teenage boy that has been manipulated all of his short life by everyone around him is perfectly capable of making a life-time commitment to act as a peddler for a magazine corporation on threat of being cut off potentially from all of his friends and family? How about children even younger that are baptized into the cult? (I knew of a girl that was baptized at 9 years old–and I thought the organization condemned baptizing babies…)
Here’s a thought of the day for you: A person under the age of 18 years old in the United States is legally indemnified from any responsibility in just about any kind of legally binding contract–even for the smallest of agreements, not to mention life-long decisions. And children under 14? Under 12, even?
So, I neither had a lobotomy recently (although my mind has certainly changed, praise God) nor was I insincere in the misguided decision I made as a 13-year-old boy. Brainwashed, perhaps, but I assure you I was sincere nonetheless.
Hi Brook, Lesson Number Three in why especially young religionists do well eventually to question what they’ve been taught: The Power of Rhetoric
Here’s that quote again:
1.“15 Regarding them, the psalmist said: “Do I not hate those who are intensely hating you, O Jehovah, and do I not feel a loathing for those revolting against you? With a complete hatred I do hate them. They have become to me real enemies.” (Psalm 139:21, 22) It was because they intensely hated Jehovah that David looked on them with abhorrence. Apostates are included among those who show their hatred of Jehovah by revolting against him. Apostasy is, in reality, a rebellion against Jehovah. Some apostates profess to know and serve God, but they reject teachings or requirements set out in his Word. Others claim to believe the Bible, but they reject Jehovah’s organization and actively try to hinder its work. When they deliberately choose such badness after knowing what is right, when the bad becomes so ingrained that it is an inseparable part of their makeup, then a Christian must hate (in the Biblical sense of the word) those who have inseparably attached themselves to the badness. True Christians share Jehovah’s feelings toward such apostates; they are not curious about apostate ideas. On the contrary, they “feel a loathing” toward those who have made themselves God’s enemies, but they leave it to Jehovah to execute vengeance.—Job 13:16; Romans 12:19; 2 John 9, 10.” – Watchtower 1993, 1st October, p. 19 par. 15 “Search Through Me, O God”
Rhetoric is defined as: (1) speech or writing that communicates its point persuasively, (2) complex or elaborate language that only succeeds in sounding pretentious, (3) the ability to use language effectively, especially to persuade or influence people – Encarta Dictionary. The Oxford English Dictionary describes rhetoric as, “the art of persuasive or impressive language designed to persuade or impress (often w. implication of insincerity, exaggeration, etc).”
Now take a look at the paragraph again and ask yourself whether this is not almost completely designed to appeal to loyalty and emotion or whether it contains, actually, any useful information at all. Its use of a litany of negative words and expressions seems constructed to appeal, like Politicians and advertisers do, to our emotions and even our fears.
As to the scriptures used, Job 13:16, says “He would also be my salvation, For before him no apostate will come in.” The NIV uses the word ‘godless man’ in the place of apostate.
Romans 12:19 states, “(Romans 12:19-21) Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah,” but then is followed by this, in verses 20 and 21: “But, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head.’ Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good.”
2 John 9, 10 tells us, “Everyone that pushes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God. He that does remain in this teaching is the one that has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him. For he that says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works.” The context of these scriptures is applied to antichrists, or those against Christ, and is policy-wise applied likewise to any who voluntarily leave the Organisation whatever their personal reasons. (All quotes other than NIV from New World Translation)
By this I am not meaning to show that all Organisational writings are rhetoric, far from it, but this type of language comes in handy when one has to recreate definitions of apostasy to suit ‘modern’ interpretations in an apparently ‘changed’ situation.
As to Jon’s acting “as if you knew NOTHING of what Jehovah’s witnesses believed and preached and this was the first time you had the chance to ask all of your ‘questions’,” Jon used tactics similar to the much vaunted Theocratic War Strategy. By asking pointed questions he was challenging his elder committee to ‘make a defence for their faith in a spirit of mildness.’ Not only did they refuse to be ‘goaded’ into doing so, the mildness evaporated very quickly and was replaced with caustic condemnation of his ‘tactics’ and the person using them.
Having heard and studied a number of recorded Judicial Committee hearings, I am left confused whether the elders’ function is to ‘save’ the dying embers of ‘faith’ of the ‘doubter’ or dutifully investigate the simple question of loyalty of the accused. Even if Jon’s elders were not impressed with his ‘tactics’ and even if they believed they knew his thoughts and feelings (pre-judged apparently from the ‘writings’ of his relatives) surely mildness and agape love would have demanded loving patience, even if they felt slighted, frustrated, and angry at the perceived lack of respect for their lofty positions. While it is acknowledged that the Christ-like personality is hard to emulate, such goings-on impressed neither Jon’s non-Witness friend (who repeatedly stated he was confused by their apparent lack of Christian love) or any who may curiously wish to listen to this recording.
FV
Now after ALL of this, why would you come back to the brothers with such insulting “questions” and attitude when you had so much time and dedication put into making sure this IS what YOU wanted? Either you faked your way through the process with an underlying goal to do this in the end or you had a lobotomy recently. those are the only two options present after hearing what you were saying, if I were the brothers in the meeting, I would have kicked you out much faster. You have a big problem with authority, that’s your issue no matter where you will ever go.”
Actually, Brook, Jon was correctly raising his ‘doubts’ through leading questions. If these righteous men were genuinely interested shepherds, their Christian love and patience, and indeed, a number of other spiritual ‘fruitages’ would have become plain. Instead, their own underlying ‘attitude’ was displayed in their intolerance to his ‘insulting questions.’ Any good parent realises that their ‘wayward’ sons will not always present with a smiley face and the perceived respect they feel they deserve, but they know that beneath the bluster is a pained heart in need of healing. You, see, Brook, you correctly mention the lengthy process a JW must go through to be approved for membership, but it is often forgotten that deflecting from that path can also be a lengthy process. Jesus knew this when he counselled his own apostles about tolerance towards one another. Tell me, where ultimately were the Christ-like qualities in this scene?
Indeed if this intolerance is characteristic of what today passes as shepherding, then there is perhaps no surprise when congregational problems occur. Care to comment?
Now, Jon, a question for you. In your letter of disassociation you use the word ‘cult.’ In one of your comments above you use the word again. This is a strong, judgemental word, and I was wondering by what definition you use this word.
According to Dictionary.com’s entry for the word, there are eight definitions for the noun sense of “cult” and I would say the Watchtower easily fits seven of them, most notably definition six: “a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader”.
In addition, “cult” is a term commonly employed in countercult studies from a sociological perspective to refer to a high control group that employs mind control techniques, and the Watchtower fits this understanding as well. Here’s a good outline of destructive mind control –> http://freedomofmind.com/bite/
I think I would like to challenge you on your definition if that’s all right. I agree that debate is a healthy thing, so let’s debate.
Interestingly Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t make the top 10 list of cults mentioned on the hyperlink on http://freedomofmind.com/bite/, though there are other lists that place the organisation on them.
You use the definition: “a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader”.
Depending who someone is, they may define Christianity this way. The Pharisees certainly did. Secondly, Who says the beliefs are false, unorthodox, or extremist? Some of the genuine cults I’m familiar with are the Branch Davidian, Jim Jones, and Heaven’s Gate. Apart from geographically removing themselves from society, often these gated communities lived in walled enclosures and armed themselves.
“…from a sociological perspective to refer to a high control group that employs mind control techniques, and the Watchtower fits this understanding as well. Here’s a good outline of destructive mind control –>”
Apart from your existing definition Dictionary.Com, states:
5. Sociology . a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
6.
a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
7. the members of such a religion or sect.
8. any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.
The World English Dictionary similarly offers:
4. sociol a group having an exclusive ideology and ritual practices centred on sacred symbols, esp one characterized by lack of organizational structure
5. intense interest in and devotion to a person, idea, or activity: the cult of yoga
6. the person, idea, etc, arousing such devotion
7. a. something regarded as fashionable or significant by a particular group
b. ( as modifier ): a cult show
8. ( modifier ) of, relating to, or characteristic of a cult or cults: a cult figure
The thing is, Jon, the use of expressions like “mind-control,” “cult,” “high control,” and “destructive” is that such pejoratives carry the responsibility of possibly losing your audience who, like me, are highly interested in what you’ve got to say. The pay-off is that it may make a person feel good, but it has its disadvantages.
My big thing is ethics and if you’ve read my essay The Martyring of Matthew Barrie, you’ll see why there is a need to educate some of the less wary of our brothers and sisters as to subtle manipulative (not mind-control) methods that have slipped in.
By the fact that you quote a Watchtower dealing with the way ancient Israel dealt with wrongdoers in their justice system I presume you’ve read Crisis of Conscience by Ray Franz. If you have, you’ll have read how some allegedly questionable decisions were made in 1980 regarding the removal of certain high-ranking staff with the use of historically-effective methods employed by the Inquisition and later, characters like Senator Joe McCarthy. In short the return of witch hunting. I believe a high price has been paid by many allegedly innocent people who have fallen prey to the hand-me-down attitude of those who have openly supported the system. Today, many ‘judicial’ technicalities are open to tribunals who care to use them. Here’s where the ‘cult’ connection may come in.
More on that later.
I would like to know in the meantime whether you agree that Matthew 18:15-17 was Jesus’ counsel to his followers to avoid large congregational issues by “nipping them in the bud.” If this is so, why is it so hard to follow this counsel? Why do many so quickly make mountains out of molehills?
FV
Where in book can the taking of blood is a sin, Chapter and verse, in comparable to the King James version of the Bible?
My brother is a life long JW. How can I get him to strt thinking for himself? Are there questions I could ask him that would lead to him not finding credible evidence within the JW society?
Greetings,
A brief follow-up to the post by FV, on March 31st, 2011 at 12:51 am. There is a critique of this WatchTower article at http://www.worshipJehovah.org/main_Article.htm?art=004SupPre for those who are interested in the validity of recommending hatred within Christianity.
This is my first post, but I hope to get to know you a little better in the future.
? Christian love,
Acts5v29
Acts5v29
Hi Acts. I guess my blog of March 31 was meant to remind naturally naive people like Brook that they need to look to the detail of what their learning. Like most, I always let others do the thinking for me.
The blog pertained particularly to the rhetoric such publications use to command respect for the writers’ authority. The language in this magazine is shocking and its use of pejoratives has one main aim – to cause even infimate family members to distance themselves from those judged a security risk to the organisation.
You may like to avail yourself of a copy of Crisis of Conscience by Ray Franz to read of how this draconian system began.
I will read your entire article but in the meantime you may find it interesting to read the article: Religious Book-cooking?: 1914: A New Perspective (http://thegoverningbody.org/religious-book-cooking-1914-%E2%80%93-a-new-perspective/).
I would value your opinion.
I have been reading what some people say on here and I am not a Jehovahs Witnesses but should anyone be judging them as the bible says judge not lest you be judged with the same measure. Every church has it`s own little quirks so why belittle them if this is what they believe then wash your own feet before you do theirs. So many so called born again christians judge and they should not be doing so.and these people who judge have no more love for people than the ones they are judging.We are all children of God and do you think that you have more of God than the ones you judge?I do not think so as we are all God`s children so get your heads out of rthe clouds and really read the Bible and do as it says. God Bless
Louise, certainly it is God’s place alone to judge the hearts of men. On the other hand, we are all called to use discernment and to beware of false prophets and false brothers. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:11 “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
Indeed, the Apostle John was even more direct with his admonition in his second epistle…
“Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.” – 2 John 1:7-10
The Watchtower teaches that Jesus Christ is not Jehovah God Almighty and–similar to the Gnostics about which John was warning–teach that Jesus Christ was not risen in the flesh and will not return accordingly. They teach that Jesus was recreated as a spirit creature, appeared as a man to fool his disciples, and then returned invisibly in 1914.
I personally have nothing but love for “Jehovah’s Witnesses”–many of my former friends and family are still JWs–but as Christians we have a responsibility to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1) and expose error accordingly. It is entirely out of love that false teaching is exposed for what it is. Or as the Watchtower itself puts it…
“Can there be false religion? It is not a form of religious persecution for anyone to say and to show that another religion is false. It is not religious persecution for an informed person to expose publicly a certain religion as being false, thus allowing persons to see the difference between false religion and true religion.” – Watchtower November 15, 1963 p.688 “Execution of Divine Judgment upon False Religion”
FV: I entirely respect your motivation, and I understand that “cult” has a pejorative context that might better be served by a more neutral and technical term like “high control group.” On the other hand, I’ve found in my own personal experience that coming across the implication that what you’ve been living in is something so dangerous, manipulative, and everything else emotionally connected to “cult” is something startling enough to get someone thinking. I know it did me.
In personal conversation with JWs I tend to shy away from the term. You’ll note that in my JC meeting I finally only used the word at the end when I knew that the whole thing was pretty much over. And, yes, that usage was by and large out of my own personal satisfaction.
I try to be very selective about my words, and I still think “cult” describes groups like the Watchtower quite well, and I hope that the very scandal of such a thought would only encourage readership, but I definitely have taken your thoughts into consideration and it’s something I’ll have to chew over a bit. Like I said, I’m quite selective about my words, so I don’t find your sentiments trivial at all.
I guess the real question here comes down to what would serve the greatest good. My purpose in using the word “cult” is to shock readers with a scandalous warning. It is not meant to insult and demean, but rather to warn, and it is my sincere hope that that comes across in my writing.
One thing that I have noticed is that the definition of Cult has broadened somewhat. There is even an element of the ‘personal touch’ of adding aspects at certain sites. I guess, Jon that, to a certain degree, I was being devil’s advocate in raising the issue. My conscientious objection nowadays is the extreme ‘justice’ system they have, one which finds almost no foundation in the Bible for some of the policies. They too expand the definition of what constitutes apostasy and will encourage shunning those who will not submit to extreme ideas. The preoccupation for ‘confessing’ the faith and authority of its leadership class vastly outweighs the search for truth.
The Matthew Barrie judicial case in Scotland is now fully transcribed and there is a multi-part essay available to illustrate the 21 ethical violations found in the case. I’m sure there are more that others could pick. My only motive is to educate others who potentially may face such proceedings, especially on the charge of apostasy. Barrie’s case stands out for a number of reasons, the greatest of which he got on tape a meeting he had with an elder who clearly was motivated by the salvation of his own reputation. It makes necessary reading for all who may have doubts about what is dished up as ‘justice’ nowadays.
Go to: http://thegoverningbody.org/religious-ethics-jehovahs-witnesses-disfellowshipping-committee-judicial/#more-860 for the first of the essay listing 21 ethical violations. The next parts will appear shortly on the site. All transcripts are available on the site by clicking in the category box and going to ‘ethics.’
Your own case, Jon, also brought up a number of relevant points. The line I like best is the elders likening themselves to doctors and the need to come to them exclusively for ‘healing.’ The trouble is that doctors don’t ask if your beliefs are acceptable before they treat you, so I found argument somewhat specious.
Secondly, the cited site contains articles examining the subject of personal grudges that have motivated the forming of judicial committees and how rhetoric plays its part in keeping people ‘loyal’ to ideas that should be properly examined.
http://thegoverningbody.org/breaking-the-spell-examining-the-power-of-religious-rhetoric/
http://thegoverningbody.org/jehovahs-witnesses-governing-body-disfellowshipping-gossip/
Barrie himself has a good article on his site about Stockholm Syndrome. Interestingly, a matter of months before I too had drawn exactly the same conclusion about the link between this syndrome and why people don’t question what they’re taught.
http://deathorobedience.blogspot.com/
what exacatly do JW beleive??
Caitlin: I think this article on CARM gives a good summationary overview –> http://carm.org/jehovahs-witnesses-beliefs
I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I am 14 years old, and I do not like your presumptuos and blasphemous remarks at all. Certain people on this page obviously dont know what htey are talking about. For example, Jon, here, rambles on about how we need god, and how we need the truth. But suprisingly, his last post on this page is: “what exacatly do JW beleive??” Jon, please stop talking! You dont know what you are takling about at all! So I would appretiate it if you would keep your mouth shut!!!
Amoriya, you have apparently failed to parse the comments on this page. The post you referenced was not written by me but rather “Caitlin.” In fact I directly replied to Caitlin’s post myself with a link to an informative article on CARM.
Being that you’re only 14 years old, your failure in observation is perhaps understandable–especially with today’s generational trend towards lower attention spans. As I am the moderator of this site, *I* would appreciate it if next time you post something of substance rather than brash insulting demands you have no power or authority to make or enforce.
Thanks for posting nonetheless :)
THE YEAR 1914
A crucial time was drawing close. In 1876 the Bible student Charles Taze Russell contributed the article “Gentile Times: When Do They End?” to the Bible Examiner, published in Brooklyn, New York, which said on page 27 of its October issue, “The seven times will end in A.D. 1914.” The Gentile Times is the period referred to in another Bible translation as “the appointed times of the nations.” (Luke 21:24) Not all that was expected to happen in 1914 did happen, but it did mark the end of the Gentile Times and was a year of special significance. Many historians and commentators agree that 1914 was a turning point in human history. The following quotations illustrate this:
A turning point in human history
“The last completely ‘normal’ year in history was 1913, the year before World War I began.”—Editorial in the Times-Herald, Washington, D.C., March 13, 1949.
“Increasingly, the 75-year period from 1914 to 1989, covering two world wars and the cold war, is being seen by historians as a single, discrete epoch, a time apart in which much of the world was fighting war, recovering from war or preparing for war.”—The New York Times, May 7, 1995.
“The whole world really blew up about World War I and we still don’t know why. Before then, men thought that utopia was in sight. There was peace and prosperity. Then everything blew up. We’ve been in a state of suspended animation ever since . . . More people have been killed in this century than in all of history.”—Dr. Walker Percy, American Medical News, November 21, 1977.
More than 50 years after 1914, German statesman Konrad Adenauer wrote: “Security and quiet have disappeared from the lives of men since 1914.”—The West Parker, Cleveland, Ohio, January 20, 1966.
The Society’s first president, C. T. Russell, died in 1916 and was succeeded the following year by Joseph F. Rutherford. Many changes took place. A companion magazine to The Watchtower, called The Golden Age, was introduced. (Now called Awake!, with a circulation of more than 20,000,000 in over 80 languages.) Door-to-door witnessing received greater emphasis. To distinguish themselves from the denominations of Christendom, in 1931 these Christians embraced the name Jehovah’s Witnesses. This name is based on Isaiah 43:10-12.
The radio was used extensively in the 1920′s and 1930′s. By 1933 the Society was using 403 radio stations to broadcast Bible lectures. Later, the use of the radio was largely replaced by increased house-to-house visits by Witnesses with portable phonographs and recorded Bible talks. Home Bible studies were started with anyone who showed interest in Bible truth.
Many claims are being made against Charles Taze Russell regarding “Miracle Wheat”. Often Mr. Russell is misquoted and/or misrepresented in these attacks on his reputation and character. Read for yourself the following articles and see what Mr. Russell actually wrote.
The following articles were obtained from the Harvest Truth Database,
which is copyrighted by A. G. S. Consulting,
in cooperation with Chicago Bible Students,
P. O. Box 6016, Chicago, IL 60680
The following is from
The Watch Tower, March 15, 1908, page 86:
“MIRACLE WHEAT”
The public press is telling of the origin of “Miracle Wheat” in answer to prayer. The description has the earmarks of truth to it, in that it gives the address of the man whose prayers are said to have been answered– “K. B. Stoner, a farmer of Fincastle, Botetourt county, Virginia.” It would appear from the account that the original stalk of wheat appeared in the midst of a crop of the ordinary kind, but with “142 heads of grain.”
We quote:–
“Mr. Stoner was amazed. It seemed incredible. When a Frenchman, in 1842, announced that he had discovered a species of wheat in the Mediterranean country which produced four heads to the plant, people said he was crazy.
“But here was a plant with 142 heads!
“Naturally Mr. Stoner carefully preserved the heads, and the next year sowed the seed, continuing to do this each year, for he realized he had discovered a phenomenal brand of grain. And each year his amazement increased.
“That first year after discovering the plant he got 2000 grains. In 1906 he got sixteen bushels, and has now raised the crop of wheat, all carefully preserved for seed, to 800 bushels.
“What is most remarkable about the wheat is this: Whereas there is produced in the wheat sections of that country an average at the best of seventeen bushels to an acre, the average yield of the “miracle wheat” during the last three years has been fifty-six bushels to the acre; and whereas from eight to ten pecks of seed are required to plant an acre in Virginia, Mr. Stoner uses only two pecks, and, in comparison to the yield of ordinary wheat in the neighborhood, which is eight bushels for each bushel of seed, Mr. Stoner gets about seventy-five bushels for one. An ordinary stalk of wheat covers about four inches of space. The miracle wheat covers twelve.THE GOVERNMENT REPORT
“Last year United States government officials became interested in the remarkable wheat and sent Assistant Agriculturalist H. A. Miller to examine it. In his report he declares:
“‘The wheat, which came from an unknown source, has been grown in the nursery every year since that time, and also has been grown under field conditions the last two years, giving excellent results. The yield has been from two to three times the yield of other varieties grown on the farm under the same condition of culture, except the rate of seeding, which was two pecks to the acre, while other varieties were sown at the rate of eight to ten pecks per acre, which is the common practice of farmers in the vicinity.
“‘Milling tests have been made of this wheat, and its quality seems to be as good as, if not superior to, other varieties of winter wheat.’
“The average height of the wheat, according to the report, is four feet four inches.
“It is said that the Russian government has secured an option on the wheat, and will buy a consignment of 80,000,000 bushels when that quantity shall have been raised. During the next year the seed will be distributed among farmers in Virginia and North Carolina, who will raise it and preserve the seed, keeping the seed only for planting until the required amount will have been produced. By next fall, it is believed, 30,000 bushels will have been produced.”
Thus, it should be easy to see from the above that Russell was not the one who originated the claims for this wheat, not was he the one who gave this wheat the name, “Miracle Wheat”. This honor belongs to the man who discovered this wheat (or to one of his associates), referred to above as Mr. Stoner. Mr. Stoner discovered the wheat and made the claims concerning the wheat. Please note the above newspaper report also quotes a report from the U.S. government which gives confirmation of those claims.
The only part of the above that actualy originated from Russell is the thought that this wheat may be utilized in the age to come.
The following article is from:
The Watch Tower, July 15, 1908, page 214
MIRACLE WHEAT
NEW VARIETY PRODUCED YIELDING 277 BUSHELS OF GRAIN TO ACRE
Wheat with stalks like sugar cane and yielding 277 bushels of highly nutritious kernels to the acre has been produced as a result of experiments made in Idaho by Allen Adams of Minneapolis.
The new wheat has been named “Alaska” because of its hardiness. It is either spring or winter wheat, just as the farmer desires to sow. It is so sturdy that storms that ruin other stock affect its giant stems but little, and the heads remain upright through ordinary hailstorms.
The yield shows that Adams has been able to obtain an increase of 222 fold. One head of the giant wheat was planted in the fall of 1904. The seeds from that head were planted the next year and seven pounds of seed obtained. This was sown in the spring of 1906, and from the seven pounds were harvested 1,554 pounds that fall. In the fall of the same year he sowed it as winter wheat, but conditions were adverse. Almost all the “blue stem” and “club” were destroyed, and only a third of the crop of experimental wheat came to maturity, yet there was a yield of 50,000 pounds. A heavy hailstorm in July was the cause of the ruined wheat crop, which left scarcely any of the ordinary wheat standing.
Further experiments brought forth a yield of 277 bushels to an acre. The Idaho College of Agriculture has made a laboratory test of the wheat and reports the grain plump and sound and that it should make better bread than the ordinary wheat. — Beloit Free Press.
Again, Russell himself is not the one making these claims; Russell simply quoted a newspaper article wherein these claims are made by others.
The following article is from:
The Watch Tower, October 1, 1908, page 291
MORE MIRACLE WHEAT
OUR notice of the “Miracle Wheat” grown in Virginia, the grower reports, has caused him lots of trouble answering letters and returning money sent for small samples. He has shown us representative stalks of the wheat and photos of its growing in the field, fully corroborating all that we have published respecting the same. But he refuses to sell any of it until he has secured a fair stock, which will be in a few years hence.
Meantime the matter has brought out the fact that others are also propagating “Miracle Wheat,” as witnessed by the subjoined reports. We advise farmers to begin at once to inspect their wheat before cutting and cull out for seed the choicest, fullest heads or most “stooled.” Our thought is that in this natural way God is preparing for the Millennium, when “the earth shall yield her increase.”
SEVEN-HEADED WHEAT DISCOVERED
W. W. Ward, of Dayton, Washington, has discovered a new variety of wheat that has seven distinct heads united to a common base. And each head is larger than the ordinary wheat. Ward figures that the new variety will yield as high as 280 bushels to the acre, with an average of 200 bushels.
Hundreds of farmers have visited the Ward ranch and are intensely interested in the new wheat. All have asked for a few pounds of the seed, but Ward is figuring upon further experiments and plans to plant all of this year’s crop next season, enlarging his present area to about three acres.
Ward has been experimenting for five years to get a wheat that will yield bigger crops, but never expected anything like the seven-headed variety. — Sioux City Tribune.
* * *
Neither of the above notes relate to what is termed “Alaska” wheat grown in Idaho, which we understand had been repudiated by Government experts.
Again, it should be noted that it was not Russell who was making these claims, but rather Russell was simply quoting newspaper articles where others are making claims concerning Miracle Wheat, or other wheat.
The next article appeared in:
The Watch Tower, July 15, 1909, pages 212, 213
MIRACLE WHEAT–MIRACLE CULTIVATION
A year ago we called attention to the miracle wheat, which was developed in Virginia, seemingly by accident. We know not to what extent it has been sown elsewhere, nor whether any wonderful results have been obtained. However, it gives to the eye of faith a suggestive lesson as to how God could “Call for the wheat-corn and increase it” many fold. Now we learn of some wonderful experiments which have recently been made by the Russian Government, which serve to show that in soil that is at least twenty inches deep a new method of cultivating wheat, gives promise of almost miraculous results. Even if only one-tenth of the results claimed can be obtained the advantage seemingly would be considerable. Even if the method be at present found impracticable for any reason, the suggestion to the eye of faith would be valuable every way as showing God’s people something of the hidden powers Divine, which are held in reservation for man’s time of need.
PLANTING WHEAT INSTEAD OF SOWING IT
The new method of cultivating wheat, based upon these experiments, is the making of pits or trenches, twelve to twenty inches deeper than the surface level and forty-two inches wide. One grain of wheat planted at the bottom of each pit or forty-two inches apart in the trenches is covered lightly with two inches of soil. Every three weeks the covering process is repeated about two inches more each time, until ten coverings have been put on. The grain gives forth three shoots with the first covering. With the second covering each of these shoots “bushknots” and gives forth three more shoots, so that with the final covering the total amounts to 59,049 stalks or heads of grain.
The ten coverings will require about thirty weeks or less, according to the climate. It is said that this method of cultivation requires no watering, that the air, having free access to the roots, provides the moisture and gases necessary for the growth of the plant. It is difficult to believe all this–that a single seed could thus produce seventy pounds of grain, and that at the same ratio an acre of land be made to produce forty-five tons of grain.
Assuredly, as our text suggests, when the Lord’s time shall come he will be well able to call for the increase of the grain for the benefit of the world of mankind, whom he so loved as to redeem and for whom the blessings of restitution are shortly to be made available. — Acts 3:19-21.
Again, although the above is not a direct quote, Russell is simply relating what others have claimed concerning the “Miracle Wheat”. The only part that actually originates from him is the application of the blessings of restitution what is yet to come upon the world of mankind.
We now present the next article from:
The Watch Tower, June 15, 1910, page 203
“THAT YE BEAR MUCH FRUIT”
“Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit,” said our Master. In this parable the good ground varies in its productiveness — thirty, sixty and an hundred fold. The larger the returns, the greater will be the Father’s pleasure and the Savior’s glory. Nor is the statement an extreme one, as some might suppose. The new “miracle wheat” sometimes produces more than two hundred grains from one. This parable seems to imply that the responsibility for the fruitfulness of the heart and life and character depends very greatly upon the individual and how he receives the message of the Kingdom.
Those in whom the fruits will be the most abundant will be such as grasp the invitation most intelligently and earnestly. “He that heareth the word and understandeth it” and whose heart is in a condition of loyalty to God and who frees himself from hindrances and worldly ambitions and aspirations and, like the Apostle Paul, can say, “This one thing I do,” will surely gain the Kingdom.
It is not sufficient that we hear the message of the Kingdom; it is not sufficient that we have good hearts or good intentions in respect to it; it is additionally necessary, as the Master says, that we should understand the Kingdom message; hence the need of Bible study. Intelligent people consider it very wise and proper that several years of study be devoted to preparation for the few years of earthly life. How much study, then, should be considered proper for our preparation for the eternal life and Kingdom blessings? The time and effort thus consumed in character development for the Kingdom are wisely spent, and the harvest of thirty, sixty or a hundred-fold illustrates the degree and intensity of our earnestness. The rewards in the Kingdom will also be proportionate.
“As star differeth from star in glory, so shall it be in the resurrection of the dead.” Varying degrees of glory in the Kingdom will be manifested, yet none will be acceptable to the Father who shall not have brought forth fruitage in good measure; the “well done” will never be pronounced if not merited.
Russell only mentions “Miracle Wheat” briefly, noting that “The new ‘miracle wheat’ sometimes produces more than two hundred grains from one.” In this he was not making any new claim concerning Miracle Wheat that had not already been stated by others, as reported in news media.
This next article is from:
The Watch Tower, September 1, 1910, page 279
RESTITUTION WORK BEGUN
“The Divine purpose will not be thwarted by the permission of sin to mar the original. The sacrificial death of Jesus is the complete offset to the penalty pronounced on Adam and his race. Restitution to perfection and Divine favor will result in God’s ‘due time.’ And we believe that time near at hand.
“Do we not see the promised blessing coming? What are our vast irrigation schemes by artesian wells and by aqueducts but fulfillments of the prophecies pertaining to the reign of Messiah and the blessing of the earth? Hark to the message: Streams shall break forth in the desert; and the wilderness shall bloom as the rose. — Isaiah 35.
“Burbank and others are under Divine guidance working miracles in horticulture, just as Edison and others have been the instruments of Providence to give us electrical devices. What beautiful fruits and flowers are the result! It is difficult to imagine greater perfection either in Eden of old or in the world-wide Eden to be restored!
“Referring to the ‘times of restitution’ of Messiah’s reign the Prophet declares, ‘The earth shall yield her increase.’ (Ezekiel 34:27.) Behold preparations for the fulfillment of this promise: About three years ago a Virginia farmer found one abnormal bunch of 120 stalks of wheat from one root–the offspring of one grain of wheat. Under the name of ‘miracle wheat’ it is now being developed slowly in various parts–the average yield appears to be about 1,200 grains from one kernel. And this very year the same peculiarity in oats has been found–a bunch growing wild by the roadside.
“Additionally the same Divine providence is guiding our chemists to economical methods of extracting nitrogen from the atmosphere for the feeding of the soil and thus to the ‘increase’ of earth’s blessings and in fulfillment of God’s promise that he will make the earth (his footstool) glorious.
Again, Russell is not making any original claims for the Miracle Wheat, except in his thoughts that such may be in preparation for the restitution blessings of the age to come.
The next article we present is from:
The Watch Tower, October 1, 1910, page 307
MIRACLE WHEAT AND MIRACLE RYE
Some years ago we made mention of the miracle wheat discovered in Virginia, which originated with the fruitage of one grain found growing by itself. Two grains of this wheat were given to the Editor, who, in turn, handed them to a brother in the Truth, who reported that the two grains produced 1,312, which, planted, produced five pounds — one grain having fifty stools of well-developed stalks or straws. The brother planted the miracle wheat alongside of some ordinary wheat, and reports that the miracle wheat heads are from three to five inches long and from three to five grains to the mesh, whereas with the common wheat the heads are from two to three inches in length.
Another brother obtained some of the miracle wheat and, out of the first crop, presented the Editor a peck of the same. This was entrusted to another brother, a farmer, who has just handed the Editor $100 proceeds therefrom, with the following report: –
As you remember, I secured also a peck of the miracle wheat from a brother in the Truth as a donation to yourself (because he first heard of the miracle wheat through THE WATCH TOWER). This was sowed on half an acre of run-out land. On the adjoining half-acre was sowed a bushel of common wheat for comparison. The sowing was done in the midst of a seven weeks’ drouth. During the late fall and the early spring the miracle wheat looked very thin compared with the common wheat. However, in the month of May both plots appeared to be about the same, except that the miracle wheat laid flatter on the ground. Late in June the miracle wheat was much the heavier, and stood nearly a foot higher than the common wheat, and about a week later in point of ripening. Not having threshed, I cannot at this writing report the respective yield, but am satisfied that the miracle wheat will be more than double that of the common.
The grains are in appearance similar to ordinary red wheat. I can with difficulty distinguish a difference. The color of the miracle wheat is a trifle richer. I will send you a photograph of a dozen heads and the largest stool I can find of both the miracle and the common wheat. Brother Kuesthardt advertised the wheat in his paper, and the money sent you is the result of the sales at $1 per pound.
Your brother in Christ,
J. A. BOHNET.
Again, although Russell repeats the claims of others concerning Miracle Wheat, and he presents the statements of J. A. Bohnet concerning Miracle Wheat, Russell does not present any claims apart from reporting what others have claimed.
The next article appeared in:
The Watch Tower, June 15, 1911, page 178
A DONATION OF MIRACLE WHEAT
Brother Bohnet writes us that he has gradually accumulated a crop of miracle wheat from the few grains he obtained as a start. He prefers that the first opportunity for obtaining this wheat shall go to THE WATCH TOWER readers. He will sell it for $1 per pound, including postage, and give the entire proceeds to our Society. All orders for this wheat should be addressed, Miracle Wheat Bohnet, 17 Hicks street, Brooklyn, N. Y. This will keep mail on this subject separate from his personal mail and from ours.
Brother Bohnet promises to be ready to ship this wheat by August 1. He says miracle wheat should be sowed one-fourth as thick as common wheat. Ordinarily it should produce from ten to fifteen times as much proportionately to the amount sown. To save keeping account, money should accompany the order. WATCH TOWER readers will have the preference up to August 15, after which orders will be attended to indiscriminately, so long as the supply holds out. This wheat should be sown in the fall.
Above is the offer that is alleged by many to this day to be Russell’s fraudulent sale of bogus Miracle Wheat, by which it is alleged that Russell made himself rich by defrauding “his flock” with a deception, allegedly giving a name “Miracle Wheat” to ordinary wheat, allegedly making false claims for that wheat and selling that wheat an exorbitant price. In reality, the validity of the Miracle Wheat had been long established in the news media. In reality, it was not Russell who named the wheat “Miracle Wheat”. In reality, it was not Russell who made the claims for Miracle Wheat. In reality, it was not Russell who offered the wheat for sale. In reality, it was not Russell who set the price for the wheat. In reality, Mr. Bohnet offered the wheat seeds for sale at a price lower than he had purchased such wheat from Mr. Stoner, as we shall see later on in this report. And the donation was not made to Russell, but to the Watch Tower Society.
Here is the next article from:
The Watch Tower, August 1, 1911, page 226
MIRACLE WHEAT IN DEMAND
The notice in THE WATCH TOWER of June 15 that Brother Bohnet has “miracle wheat” in abundance now, and that he will sell it at $1 per pound and donate the entire proceeds to our Tract Fund, has brought in many orders. These will be filled between August 15 and September 1. No limit as to supply has been noted. Sent by Express, prepaid, the price will be twenty-two pounds for $20; fifty-five pounds for $50; larger quantities at the latter rate. The merits of this wheat over the common variety have been mentioned in previous issues of THE WATCH TOWER.
The following article appeared in:
The Watch Tower, July 1, 1912, pages 214, 215
EARTH’S IMPERFECTION IS FALLEN MAN’S BLESSING
God could have made the entire earth perfect as easily as He “planted” the little garden in Eden. But He foresaw that if the earth were perfected the death-struggle would be longer, and the degradation of man greater. The poverty of the world has assisted in keeping mankind back from greater depths of iniquity. The sentence, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,” was evidently intended as a blessing, that man might learn lessons of experience by battling with the earth for his living. As the Creator said to the man regarding the curse of the earth, it was “for thy [man's] sake.” So man has learned that “The wages of sin is death.” The Heavenly Father has not, however, changed His Plan. When the Kingdom is set up, the earth shall yield her increase; and God assures us, “I will make the place of My feet glorious.” — Isaiah 60:13.
Edison has been the instrument of Providence in giving us wonderful electrical devices. Burbank and others have, under Divine guidance, worked miracles in horticulture. What beautiful fruits and flowers have followed as results! It is difficult to imagine anything nearer perfection either in Eden of old or the world-wide Eden to be established! In referring to the “Times of Restitution” the Prophet declares that “the earth shall yield her increase.” (Psalm 67:6) We behold preparations for the fulfilment of this promise.
A few years ago a Virginia farmer found an abnormal stool of wheat — one hundred and forty-two stalks, each bearing a well-developed head — the offspring of a single grain of wheat! Under the name of “Miracle Wheat” it is now being developed slowly in various parts of the country. The average yield appears to be about twelve hundred grains from one kernel. This very year the same peculiarity in oats has been found, a stool growing wild by the roadside. The same Divine Providence is, additionally, guiding our chemists in economical methods of extracting nitrogen from the atmosphere for feeding the soil, and thus to increase earth’s blessings, in fulfillment of God’s promise that He will make His footstool glorious.
Why has not the earth been already made glorious? The answer is that God is allowing the race to propagate first. Had mankind been perfect, they might have learned the lesson of the sinfulness of sin in the same way that the angels have learned. But hastening to commit sin, they have learned evil first and have been subject to all the vicissitudes of sin and death. The angels have learned the other lesson — what righteousness is, what good is — not merely in the abstract, but in an appreciative sense.
Below is the article from:
The Watch Tower, February, 15, 1913, page 62
“AS DECEIVERS AND YET TRUE”
MY SUIT against The Eagle for slanderous defamation of reputation has been decided in its favor. A Jury of twelve men have decided that The Eagle was justified in making its vicious onslaughts upon me, notwithstanding the Judge’s Charge that, according to the law, the cartoon, at least, was a slanderous, vicious libel in fact. I am urged by my attorneys and petitioned by friends to take the case to the Court of Appeals.
I quite agree with Justice Kelby, who said, “The case was presented fairly and squarely to the Jury.” The rulings of His Honor seem to me equitable. I very highly appreciate the ability and energy of my attorneys, Mr. Sparks and Mr. Rutherford. I have no complaint, nor murmuring against the Divine providences which permitted what I consider to be a very unjust verdict. In appealing our Case to the Court we have followed the example of the Master, who inquired why He was smitten contrary to Law. (John 18:23) Likewise St. Paul appealed for such justice as the Law provided. (Acts 25:10) So I have done; and I, like them, have been refused the Law’s protection. I murmur not. I am in good company.
I remember, on the other hand, that it has been a part of the Divine will throughout this Gospel Age to allow His faithful servants to suffer reproaches and losses. This was so in the Master’s case: “Being reviled, He reviled not again.” When it pleased the Father to bruise Him and put Him to shame, He declared, “The cup which My Father hath poured for Me, shall I not drink it?” — “Not My will, but Thine be done.” — I Peter 2:23; John 18:11; Luke 22:42
It was so with the Apostles, who wrote, “As He was, so are we in this world” — “As deceivers and yet true; as poor, yet making many rich”; “I bear about in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” — evidences that I am His servant and His follower. As St. Paul said, so we see fulfilled all through the Age, “Whosoever will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” The Master said, “Marvel not if the world hate you. Ye know that it hated Me before it hated you; if ye were of the world, the world would love its own.” — I John 4:17; 2 Corinthians 6:8-10; Galatians 6:17; 2 Timothy 3:12; John 15:18,19.
THE CASE BRIEFLY REVIEWED
I am interested in everything progressive and tending to prove that we are entering the great Thousand Years of earth’s blessings under Messiah. In the columns of THE WATCH TOWER I have noted the coming of Divine blessings in fulfilment of the prediction that “The wilderness shall blossom as the rose,” “The earth shall yield her increase,” etc. Five years ago we quoted in THE WATCHTOWER columns reports respecting “Miracle Wheat.” We gave the name and address (Mr. Stoner) of the farmer who discovered this new wheat and his reports of its remarkable qualities. We published also the report of Mr. Miller, the Government expert, who thoroughly investigated it and pronounced upon its superior qualities.
Some of our readers purchased seed from Mr. Stoner at $1.25 per pound and approved it. In 1910 one of the friends of our Society, who had raised some of this wheat, sold it for seed at $1.00 per pound, and donated the proceeds to our Society. In 1911 the same friend, having raised more seed, asked that THE WATCH TOWER give the benefit of this to its readers at $1.00 a pound post-paid, and appropriate the net results to the furtherance of its work. Another friend, who had some of the same seed, also donated similarly, the total amount being twenty bushels.
For the accommodation of our readers, we allowed this seed-wheat to be put up in pound packages and mailed from THE WATCH TOWER Office, just as the U.S. Government handles such seeds at Washington. We did the business at the request of others and in their interest, and credited them on our books with the results, setting aside to them proportionately voting shares in our Society. We made no claim for the wheat on our own knowledge. We merely gave the report of the Government expert, of the originator, and of our friends who had tried the wheat. We merely acted as intermediary.
Nevertheless, everything that was said respecting the wheat was fully proven at this trial by expert witnesses, interested and disinterested, and their testimony was not shaken. It was also shown that farmer Stoner and his business partner, Mr. Knight, made no sales of this wheat under $1.25 per pound until September, 1911; and that they had a written contract between them that none of the wheat was to be sold at any price until the following year — 1912. Suddenly in September, 1911, they changed their plans, considering that they had wheat enough accumulated, put the price down to $5.00 per bushel, about the time that THE WATCH TOWER wheat was all sold at a dollar a pound. This The Eagle’s attorney claimed was proof of fraud on the part of THE WATCH TOWER — sufficient excuse for the slanderous assaults of The Eagle upon me.
It was in vain that my attorney sought to show the Jury The Eagle’s malice — that it really was attacking me along religious grounds; that it had set itself as the champion of certain clerical enemies of mine, and was seeking to destroy my influence and, if possible, to drive me from Brooklyn. In the court-room sat about twenty-five of my friends, who had come long distances at their own expense to have an opportunity to speak a word in my behalf. Through some intricacies of the Law respecting evidence, these were unable to be heard in my behalf.
Instead, the Law gave The Eagle’s attorney the privilege of saying all manner of evil against me falsely — for the sake of the Doctrines of Christ, which I hold and teach. He was allowed to picture me, as The Eagle had done in its cartoon — as a thief and robber, masquerading in the garb of a minister of Christ. He was allowed to ridicule the “Miracle Wheat,” although I had nothing whatever to do with it, nor with the naming of it; and notwithstanding the fact that its superiority was proven.
He was allowed to inveigh against the fact as criminal, that I hold the office of President of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, and to claim that I hold the office in some corrupt or unlawful manner, and that I misuse the Society’s income in some unexplained way to my own advantage. Meantime, scores present in the courtroom and thousands all over the land, would have been glad to testify that their donations have come to the Society because they have the utmost confidence in my integrity and management of its affairs as its Executive Officer, and that had anybody else been President their donations would have been smaller or none at all.
Presumably because there were seven Catholics on the Jury, The Eagle’s attorney was prompted to refer to the Sisters of Charity and their noble work as nurses in the hospitals, without referring to the fact that those nurses are well paid, and that the hospitals in large measure are supported by State taxation.
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society was held up to scorn because it did not have any hospital work nor draw any revenue from taxation, and because the female members of the Society do not visit the workshops of the land weekly or monthly on pay-day, and exact donations to its work. Our society was held up to scorn also because we do not send a wagon around the city collecting groceries and provisions for the up-keep of our work; because we do not take up collections even on Sunday; because we have never solicited a penny or a dollar from anybody; and because we never have fairs, grab-bags, “chances” or “raffles.” Our Society was held up to scorn and ridicule because it offers its literature free to the poor, while other similar Societies charge both rich and poor for their tracts and other publications. The Eagle was pictured by its attorney as a dove, a bird of Paradise. For defending it the Protestants on the Jury were led to hope for escape from eternal torment through “the pearly gates” of heaven, welcomed with the words, “Well done!” for giving The Eagle the verdict. Neither I nor my attorneys could offer such inducements conscientiously.
Our home, “Bethel,” where some of our Society’s workers reside, was held up to scorn–likened to a harem, etc. This surely did cut me deeply to the heart. I am quite willing to suffer, if need be, for my faithfulness to the Lord and His Word; but it gave me great pain that the arrows intended for me did not all center upon myself — that the more than a hundred saintly, earnest men, women and children, co-laborers with me in the Lord’s work, should thus be made to unjustly suffer. I can only urge them to apply to themselves the words of the Apostle, “Cast not away, therefore, your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward”; “For ye have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God, ye shall receive the promise”; “Ye endured a great fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock, and partly whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.” — Hebrews 10:35,36,32,33
NO COMPLAINT AGAINST THE LAW
I have no complaint to make against the Laws of our land, nor against the Jury System, not against the particular twelve men who, in my judgment, gave an unjust verdict. I esteem our Laws to be most wonderfully just. I have often marveled that imperfect, fallen men have succeeded in the erection of such excellent barriers against sin and injustice. I cannot see that a more fair method than our Jury System of trying a case could be arranged by imperfect men. Neither do I believe that the average jury desires to pervert justice. The miscarriage of justice I attribute rather to the imperfection of human knowledge. Suspicion and evil-surmising are weeds which seem to grow prolifically in every mind. They spring spontaneously in the degraded heart. There is such a disposition to judge others by one’s self, and such a realization of sinful impulses that the average man naturally enough imputes evil, on every occasion when it is suggested to him.
St. Paul enunciated this principle, saying, “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God;… neither can he know [understand] them; for they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14) Our Society and its work, our Lord’s work and the work of the Apostles and the regenerate since, are so far beyond the concept of the unregenerate as to be “Foolishness unto them” — hypocrisies, frauds, impositions. If Jesus and the Apostles and the faithful saints of eighteen centuries have all belonged to this class, I will be of good courage and not be ashamed to belong to the same.
I am the more encouraged because I realize that the great Day of Blessing, the great Thousand-Year Day of Messiah’s Kingdom, is near at hand–is dawning now. Soon Satan, the “Prince of Darkness,” will be bound for a thousand years, to deceive the nations no more. (Revelation 20:2,3,6) No longer will Darkness be permitted to masquerade as Light, and the Light be slandered as Darkness. All the blind eyes will be opened; all the deaf ears will be unstopped. That glorious period, as the Prophet has declared, shall be “the desire of all nations.” (Haggai 2:7) Then not only the Church will see eye to eye, and understand God’s providences at the present time, but the whole world will see in the light of that happy time for which we pray, “Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as in Heaven.”
Sincerely, and undismayed, I remain a servant of God.
CHARLES T. RUSSELL.
Brooklyn, January 29, 1913.
Thank you for all the information, jjrbg; I’m sure my readers here will find it of interest. That being said, I must still stand by my statements, specifically…
“Through the pages of Zion’s Watch Tower, C. T. Russell advertised wheat seed for sale at $1.00 a pound (quite expensive for the day). He called it “Miracle Wheat” and it was claimed, among other things, that the wheat would grow five times as much as any other wheat on the market. The proceeds were to go to the “Watch Tower” and be used for publishing Russell’s sermons. When the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published a cartoon mocking the venture, Russell sued for libel, asking $100,000 damages. When Government tests determined that there was, in fact, nothing special about the wheat at all, the Eagle won the suit.”
While the claims about said wheat may not have originated with Russell, they were nonetheless passed along and advertised in the pages of the Watch Tower, and same said publishing house accepted donations for it. All of this you yourself have confirmed.
Whoa, tnghis just got a whole lot easier.
Thanks for sharing. What a pealsure to read!
The genius store called, they’re rnunnig out of you.
The illegibility store called, they don’t seem to be running out of dyslexics
And I was just wnodering about that too!
You cloudn’t pay me to ignore these posts!
You are so cool! I do not believe I have read anything like this before. So nice to discover another person with genuine thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This site is something that is required on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!
Thank you, I have just been looking for information about this subject for a long time and yours is the best I have discovered so far. But, what about the conclusion? Are you positive in regards to the supply?|What i don’t realize is in truth how you’re now not really much more well-liked than you may be now. You’re very intelligent.