Congregation Culture:
1880-1886
Congregations were independent, choosing
their own elders and class leaders. Internal organization was a local affair. A
problem some of our readers will find familiar was boredom. Most early
adherents were not accomplished speakers, and ratiocination did not
characterize most believers. Some meetings were rambling discussions full of
disagreement and doctrinal divergence. One unnamed “Brother” observed: “I find
that in our meetings where we have a talk, a discourse, by one of the brethren,
that circumstances must be very favorable if there are not some sleepy heads in
the house – and even sometimes when we have a pilgrim with us this is the case.”[1] Pilgrims,
visiting Watch Tower Society evangelists, generally better speakers than most,
traveled regionally. Russell suggested that adherents replace rambling
experience sessions with reading Watch Tower articles:
At
evening meetings, when twos and threes and dozens assemble, it would be far
better to take up and discuss with the Scriptures bearing thereon, one and
another of the articles in the tower.
It would be vastly better to thus study God’s Word, than to spend so much time,
as some do, in vain repetitions and telling of “experiences.” Try it, brethren
and sisters; and let all take part in the search for truth, and seek diligently
till you find it – clear, beautiful, and invigorating.[2]
Some fellowships found maintaining regular meetings a challenge.
Russell advised small groups to continue steadfast, especially in the face of
evil. The context of his remarks suggests his reference to “evil” attached to
pressures from disaffected believers who continued to meet with Watch Tower
adherents. Russell asked the small gatherings to write to him every few months
telling him “how the Lord prospers you; whether you keep up your meetings with
those of like precious faith.” Some months later, Russell again advised meeting
together and asked for a list of places where readers “hold regular meetings
and services of any kind, whether in churches, halls, or private houses.” To
those who had no regular meetings he recommended establishing one, “in your own
home with your own family, or even a few that may be interested.” He
recommended that they “read, study, praise and worship together.”[3]
Dissension and Disaffection
The remainder of this post has been deleted.
1 comment:
Thank you for this fascinating article which is, I think, right up there with the best things Bruce and Rachael have produced.
It should not surprise anyone that the transition from the wide readership base of Zion's Watch Tower to, eventually, an international brotherhood of several thousand consecrated adherents (albeit unrecorded on any membership rolls) did not occur without some considerable teething problems. To have suggested or somehow expected a smooth transition would have been totally unrealistic.
It doesn't seem to matter now, but I'm interested in the thought that Russell at some point considered himself the Faithful and Discreet slave. The passage you relate from the 1895 ZWT doesn't, in itself, lead me quite to that conclusion, although the word 'obliquely' is used, and I can see how it might be seen as a preliminary to it.
All good wishes,
Gary
Post a Comment