Early within his ministry, Russell calculated
that Jesus was to return visibly in 1874. When
the 1874 came and went with no sign of
Jesus, Russell then changed his calculations
to the date 1914. This is the very date marked
by the Great Pyramid measurements. (See
Screen 1: 1914) When 1914 came and went
with no sign of Jesus, Russell then interpreted
Jesus' second coming as an "invisible" return,
or in spirit. This was the birth of the "Invisible
Burden of Proof" trick still in use by the
Watchtower. (See Bag of Tricks)
that Jesus was to return visibly in 1874. When
the 1874 came and went with no sign of
Jesus, Russell then changed his calculations
to the date 1914. This is the very date marked
by the Great Pyramid measurements. (See
Screen 1: 1914) When 1914 came and went
with no sign of Jesus, Russell then interpreted
Jesus' second coming as an "invisible" return,
or in spirit. This was the birth of the "Invisible
Burden of Proof" trick still in use by the
Watchtower. (See Bag of Tricks)
In the efforts to promote his own theology, Russell organized his own Bible class in
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. In 1876, the class elected him Pastor of the group. At this
time, Russell also became assistant editor for a monthly magazine published out of
New York. After two years, Russell left due to controversy surrounding his opinions
on the atonement of Christ. In 1879, shortly after his departure, Russell created his
own publication "Herald of the Morning", which we all know today as "The
Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom". Five years later, Russell incorporated
his own Society "Zion's Watchtower Tract Society" now known as "The Watchtower
Bible and Tract Society".
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. In 1876, the class elected him Pastor of the group. At this
time, Russell also became assistant editor for a monthly magazine published out of
New York. After two years, Russell left due to controversy surrounding his opinions
on the atonement of Christ. In 1879, shortly after his departure, Russell created his
own publication "Herald of the Morning", which we all know today as "The
Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom". Five years later, Russell incorporated
his own Society "Zion's Watchtower Tract Society" now known as "The Watchtower
Bible and Tract Society".
In 1886, Russell published the first of seven
publications entitled Studies in the Scriptures: The
Divine Plan of the Ages. After Russell's death, the
seventh volume (The Finished Mystery) was edited
from his original writings and was published in 1917.
This seventh volume caused a split within his
organization. The smaller group splintered off into
what we know today as Millennial Dawn. The larger
group splintered off into what we know today as
Jehovah's Witnesses.
publications entitled Studies in the Scriptures: The
Divine Plan of the Ages. After Russell's death, the
seventh volume (The Finished Mystery) was edited
from his original writings and was published in 1917.
This seventh volume caused a split within his
organization. The smaller group splintered off into
what we know today as Millennial Dawn. The larger
group splintered off into what we know today as
Jehovah's Witnesses.
One year after the Watchtower was first
published, Russell married Maria Ackley in
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Maria took
interest in Russell through his teachings;
therefore, she assisted him in his theocratic
activities. Although the Watchtower Bible
and Tract Society progressed under both
Russell and his wife, Maria left her
husband, and in 1903 she filed for legal
separation (separation from bed and
board). Much controversy had surrounded
the married life of Russell, including
allegations of his infidelity.
published, Russell married Maria Ackley in
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Maria took
interest in Russell through his teachings;
therefore, she assisted him in his theocratic
activities. Although the Watchtower Bible
and Tract Society progressed under both
Russell and his wife, Maria left her
husband, and in 1903 she filed for legal
separation (separation from bed and
board). Much controversy had surrounded
the married life of Russell, including
allegations of his infidelity.
For all who are sincerely interested in learning
the history of the Watchtower organization,
there is no better place to start than with the
founding father of their theological error,
Charles Taze Russell. Russell was born on
February 16, 1852. His parents (Joseph and
Anna) raised him in the Protestant faith while
growing up in Pennsylvania. When Russell was
just eleven years old, he entered a business
partnership with his father and they opened a
line of clothing stores. In a few years, young
Russell sold the stores and his entrepreneurial
spirit moved him in pursuit of another business,
the business of religion.
the history of the Watchtower organization,
there is no better place to start than with the
founding father of their theological error,
Charles Taze Russell. Russell was born on
February 16, 1852. His parents (Joseph and
Anna) raised him in the Protestant faith while
growing up in Pennsylvania. When Russell was
just eleven years old, he entered a business
partnership with his father and they opened a
line of clothing stores. In a few years, young
Russell sold the stores and his entrepreneurial
spirit moved him in pursuit of another business,
the business of religion.
In 1911, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published an article regarding the legal facts of
Russell's separation from his wife. The eagle printed a verbatim record of the
following testimony:
Russell's separation from his wife. The eagle printed a verbatim record of the
following testimony:
Charles Taze Russell's life was undeniably saturated with controversy and legal
entanglements. Much controversy surrounded the financial benefits of a product
endorsed by Russell called "Miracle Wheat". Within early Watchtower publications,
"Miracle Wheat" advertisements were printed. This "Miracle Wheat" was said to grow
five times the size than all other brands of wheat, and was selling for one dollar per
pound. Russell's followers were advised to purchase this wheat and the proceeds
would go to the Watchtower. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle publicized facts about
Russell's financial venture by depicting Pastor Russell and his Miracle Wheat through
a humorous cartoon drawing. Upset by the cartoon, Russell sued the Eagle, asking for
$100,000 in damages. Miracle Wheat was proven to not live up to its advertising
claims, and Russell lost the suit.
entanglements. Much controversy surrounded the financial benefits of a product
endorsed by Russell called "Miracle Wheat". Within early Watchtower publications,
"Miracle Wheat" advertisements were printed. This "Miracle Wheat" was said to grow
five times the size than all other brands of wheat, and was selling for one dollar per
pound. Russell's followers were advised to purchase this wheat and the proceeds
would go to the Watchtower. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle publicized facts about
Russell's financial venture by depicting Pastor Russell and his Miracle Wheat through
a humorous cartoon drawing. Upset by the cartoon, Russell sued the Eagle, asking for
$100,000 in damages. Miracle Wheat was proven to not live up to its advertising
claims, and Russell lost the suit.
As seen above, the Watchtower Society tricks their followers into believing that Russell
never made money off the Miracle Wheat and all the proceeds went to the Society. What
they fail to mention is the fact that Russell controlled the Watchtower Society and its
finances, owning 990 out of 1,000 shares of its stock. Any contributions that were
gained from the Miracle Wheat were also given to Russell.
never made money off the Miracle Wheat and all the proceeds went to the Society. What
they fail to mention is the fact that Russell controlled the Watchtower Society and its
finances, owning 990 out of 1,000 shares of its stock. Any contributions that were
gained from the Miracle Wheat were also given to Russell.
The court transcripts serve as
transparent evidence that
Russell's involvement with Miss
Ball was far from innocent.
transparent evidence that
Russell's involvement with Miss
Ball was far from innocent.
Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses.1975.pg.71
At an early age, Russell began to deviate from the doctrines of orthodox Christianity,
in turn disagreeing with many Christian teachings such as Hell and the Trinity. Russell
claimed that the doctrine of the Trinity was not rational and he was unable to grasp it.
Russell was fascinated with the teachings of the Adventists and their predictions of
Christ's second coming. It is obvious that Russell realized the ideology of the second
coming of Christ commanded the attention of new recruits. Russell had a planned
recipe for success.
in turn disagreeing with many Christian teachings such as Hell and the Trinity. Russell
claimed that the doctrine of the Trinity was not rational and he was unable to grasp it.
Russell was fascinated with the teachings of the Adventists and their predictions of
Christ's second coming. It is obvious that Russell realized the ideology of the second
coming of Christ commanded the attention of new recruits. Russell had a planned
recipe for success.
Young Charles Taze Russell
Russell measuring Pyramids
Russell and Miss Ball
Russell and his wife Maria
Recipe For Success
Infidelity Accusations
Studies in the Scriptures. Volume 7.
Miracle Wheat
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