 |  |
Click here to select our FREE offers Click here to find the true answers to some of the harshest criticisms against Pastor Russell. (Freemason?, Cult-Leader? etc...) Click here to see what Bible Students believe. Watch for our redesigned website debuting in May, 2008! If you care about truth, then the following information is important to you. Things are not always the way they seem. Sometimes history is whitewashed by those who have a special interest in hiding the truth:The official organization of Jehovah's Witnesses is not who/what they claim to be. In 1917 there began a significant schism which resulted in nearly seventy-five percent of Bible Students leaving the Watchtower Society by 1928. Why? On this page you can download actual scans of the original documents distributed among the Bible Students beginning in January, 1917. Most of these documents have been hidden by the hierarchy of Jehovah's Witnesses until now. We are the only website in the world to provide the following original documents, (three of which are the only copies known to exist). By the end of 1928 more Bible Students had left than stayed, after which Joseph Rutherford formed the Jehovah's Witnesses, but continued to claim that Pastor Charles Taze Russell was their founder.Here are a few of the details: It all began when Joseph Rutherford removed four members of the Watch Tower Society Board of Directors under a legal technicality that would have equally applied to him, and then authorized the writing and publication of the book "The Finished Mystery" contrary to Pastor Russell's Will, and without approval of the Board, while falsely claiming it to be the "posthumous work of Pastor Russell". As this issue developed, Rutherford began to forcibly and dogmatically alter the existing doctrinal views, organizational structure, and inclusive spirit of love for all Christians in or outside of any Denomination. What had once been a non-judgmental and open association of Christians seeking and searching for Bible truth, had quickly turned into an organized religion with a supposed exclusive theocratic relationship with God, an organized creed with rules and heavenly judgments, and a central rulership with a body of leaders that supposedly had a direct link to the Apostles. As a result of these things, Bible Students began to realize the spirit of truth they held so dear had been compromised. By the end of 1928 three-fourths had severed their association with Rutherford and the newly changed Watchtower Society. In 1929 an attempt was made to regather those Bible Students who had grown disillusioned by the obvious change in spirit of Christian love and service at the Society. These are the same Bible Students who bring you this website. In these documents you will see many charges, and counter-charges. In the end, there were none from either side who were entirely blameless. Carefully read the documents, weigh the evidence in your mind, and draw your own conclusions. We are not providing these documents to create disputes or judge the hearts of others. It is important that those who claim to uphold truth should always do so with a clear conscience, and without deceit. You can contact the Bible Students for more information... (In seeking to protect the integrity of the following documents we have, sadly, found it necessary to watermark the pages. This is because the copyrighted material has been frequently stolen by others who claim the ownership and scanning was their work, and then presenting it as their own, without citing Pastor-Russell.com as the actual source. We can provide you with unmarked photocopies on request. Thank you for your understanding.) Pastor Russell's Will (June 29th, 1907) — Points of note: The Society is to conduct matters according to his wishes following his death; No new publications are to be produced; Each Watchtower issue must be overseen by a Committee of five, whose names appear therein; 'Old Theology Quarterly' tracts should continue to be published. Statement of Facts and Points (July, 1917) — Joseph Rutherford presents his reasoning and claims for why the old Board is illegal. Coming Soon! Letter (July 27th, 1917)— This first letter was printed up and sent to as many Bible Students as possible from the deposed members of the Board of Directors to inform them what had just taken place. 1.09 meg Harvest Siftings (August 1st, 1917) — This paper was written by Joseph Rutherford and printed by the printers under contract to the Society, then distributed to all Watch Tower readers in violation of Pastor Russell's Will. 3.58 meg Open Letter to Conventioners (August 4th, 1917) — A quickly mimeographed notice handed out at a Convention in Boston, Massachusetts to clarify that the claims in "Harvest Siftings" were inaccurate. 674 kb Printed letter (August, 1917) — A printed letter showing correspondence between Frank Cook, colporteur and Pilgrim under Pastor Russell, and a brother Charles Cox, addressing the issue of whether or not "The Finished Mystery" should be accepted by the Lord's people. 496 kb Resolution Concerning "Harvest Siftings" (August 31st, 1917) — A statement created and issued by the Los Angeles, California Ecclesia (congregation) of Bible Students reproving both sides for the course taken in the differences. 229 kb Light After Darkness (September 1st, 1917) — A booklet printed by the members of the Board of Directors who were deposed by Rutherford. 6.68 meg Harvest Siftings II (October 1st, 1917) — A booklet printed by Rutherford, again utilizing the donated funds of the Society, and published in violation of Pastor Russell's Will as a response to "Light After Darkness". 1.40 meg Harvest Siftings Reviewed (November 1st, 1917) — A booklet written by P.S.L. Johnson, Pastor Russell's closest friend and associate, whom Rutherford and the current leadership of the Society to this very day accuse of being the true instigator of the troubles. 4.83 meg Facts For Shareholders of the WTB&TS (November 15th, 1917) — Specific details of the illegal activities of Rutherford, including a statement by legal council, in preparation for elections to be held in January, 1918. 4.24 meg Open Letter to the People of the Lord (November 21st, 1917) — A petition signed by several individuals at the Brooklyn Bethel desiring both sides to come together and resolve their differences. 791 kb "Harvest Siftings Reviewed" itself reviewed (December 7th, 1917) — A short booklet printed by Jesse Hemery, the administrator of the London Tabernacle, supporting Rutherford, and denouncing Johnson. 1.25 meg Another Harvest Siftings Reviewed (August 22, 1918) — A second booklet by P.S.L. Johnson presenting more details regarding Rutherford's accusations against him. 3.60 meg Notes and Comments on "The Finished Mystery" (February 19th, 1919) — A 48-page booklet printed by Bible Students in Australia which points out the many errors and misrepresentations apparent in "The Finished Mystery." This booklet appeared in place of the March, 1919 issue of "The Peoples Paper", the monthly periodical of the Bible Students Tract Society, founded in Australia after the death of Pastor Russell. 5.14 meg The Golden Age (July 8th, 1931) — Judge Rutherford claims the name "Jehovah's Witnesses" in order to make a final separation from Bible Students who desired to remain faithful to the ministry of Pastor Russell. 808 kb Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 1 (October, 1931) — Bible Student response to Judge Rutherford's claiming the name "Jehovah's Witnesses" and final attempt at separating the WTB&TS from Bible Students who desired to remain faithful to the ministry of Pastor Russell. 1.18 meg The Golden Age (October 14th, 1931) — Official response from the Society to Witness Bulletin No. 1. 707 kb Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 2 (January, 1932) — Second paper written by Bible Student representatives in reply to statements made by the Society in "The Golden Age" magazine. 1.39 meg Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 3 (Summer, 1932) — Announcement of another reunion Convention of Bible Students, and attempts at regathering all those alienated by Rutherford. 730 kb Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 4 (October, 1932) — "The Press Still Pressing On" answers the claims that the WTB&TS (a printing plant) can represent all believers as "God's channel". 736 kb Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 5 (July, 1933) — This final printing of the "Witness Bulletin" answers the Society's claim that they are "God's Organization". 1.43 meg When Pastor Russell Died (1946) — A booklet printed by the Dawn Bible Students Association covering some of the basic details of the division between Bible Students faithful to Pastor Russell's Will and the WTB&TS during the period from 1917 through to the mid-'40s. 3.56 meg Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose (August, 1959) — This book, printed by the Society in 1959, offers their first official "history" of Pastor Russell, and the early days of the Bible Student movement and the creation of "Jehovah's Witnesses". We have posted the relevant section related to the events of 1917. Be sure to compare the claims made in this book with the documents above. 1.69 meg Pastor Russell Not the Founder of Jehovah's Witnesses (1960's) — A very short paper published by Bible Students in the 1960's to clear-up the false impression that the current doctrines and administration of the WTB&TS and Jehovah's Witnesses have any connection with Pastor Russell and Bible Students. HTML only - (PDF Coming Soon!) 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses (January, 1975) — The Society's second "official" history, continues to present P.S.L Johnson as the key trouble maker, and continues to present a somewhat narrow view of what truly transpired. 1.53 meg Present Truth and Herald of Christ's Epiphany (October, 1975)— This monthly magazine, printed by friends and associates of P.S.L. Johnson and his teachings, presented in this issue an answer to the claims appearing in the 1975 Yearbook. 941 kb Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom (June, 1993) — This is the WTB&TS's most recent "official" history, and while appearing to take a different turn from their other two histories, still continue to shine a bright light on Rutherford, and portray Johnson and others as the enemies of God and the Truth. We only include the pertinent sections relating to the events of 1917. 2.47 meg (More scans of original documents will be online soon) |
