Sowing Seeds from a Great Height

   

     The history of the Watch Tower Society using public witnessing to spread the message goes right back to the booths at World Fairs in the very early days and is continued today with the modern use of carts and trolleys with banners and sample literature.

     A more unusual version of this public activity occurred in 1921, when advertizing material was showered onto a public gathering from a great height. The occasion was the Pasadena Rose parade, held each year on New Year’s Day. Apart from the interruptions of Covid it has been held each year since 1890.

     Numerous floats and marching bands travel in convoy (mainly along Colorado Boulevard) and it all ends with a football game in the Pasadena Rose Ball. From an estimated 2000 spectators in its first year, 1890, approximately 700,000 people watch the parade each year in modern times.

      The Pasadena Post for 1 January 1921 carried this announcement:

 An airplane will drop messages over the line of march. Special booths will be located all over the city for the distribution of literature and the sale of books. All this to bring to your attention that Millions Now Living Will Never Die. Book can be had at any of the stands for 25c.  Or Call Colorado 2275.

     The same story had been carried in the Pasadena Star-News the day before, 31 December 1921.

     So, leaflets would be showered onto the crowds who witnessing the procession encouraging all to visit booths strategically located in the city.

     The actual leaflet was a flyer, sized 3 ¼ by 8 ½ inches, and at least one has survived to this day.

      Note the address: International Bible Students Ass’n, 1051 So. Grand Avenue.

     This was the local headquarters for the IBSA. Shown here in the picture below, it is the house on the left, which had formerly been a funeral home before being taken over by the Bible Students in March 1918.

     It remained their local headquarters until 1923, when it was destroyed by fire. The replacement headquarters would be situated at 1023 Sentinel Avenue, which was the home address for Bible Student, Robert Montero. He is pictured with his wife in the photograph below, c.1921.

     Returning to the flyer, the reverse of this copy had a pencilled annotation.

     It reads “These slips were droped (sic) from a small ( ? ) over Pasadena, Ca. Looked like a snow storm. Seen by O.G.H.”

     Several photographs exist of the two-seater bi-plane that took off from The Sierra Airdrome with its large sign “Millions Now Living Will Never Die.”

     We are reliably informed that the figure on the left of the last photograph is Melvin Sargent of the Los Angeles area. His life story was in the Watchtower for 1 August 1987.

     This account of an eventful life does not mention this 1921 incident, nor does it indicate that Melvin was a pilot. We can reasonably assume that his role was to sit behind the pilot and throw out handfuls of leaflets over the Rose parade on the day. As described by the eyewitness above: “it looked like a snow storm.”

     

With grateful thanks to Tom who supplied both the story and the graphics.

The Newspaper Syndicate

Guest post by Bernhard

In the early history of the Bible Students Association (I.B.S.A.) we often encounter the term “Newspaper Syndicate” in its writings. But what exactly was this “Newspaper Syndicate?” When was it founded? Who worked in it, and what results did it achieve?

Essentially, the term "Newspaper Syndicate" is another name for a press association, such as the American Press Association of New York.The purpose of such an association is to sell content such as articles, columns, photos, etc. to various newspapers and magazines, or to ensure that desired content is published and paid for.

Publishing religious sermons in newspapers, for example, was naturally very effective. Firstly, because it allowed for an incredibly large readership worldwide, and secondly, it saved the high printing costs and the time required by many people to disseminate all the content, even though various sermons and advertisements were not free and consumed considerable sums of money.

Charles Taze Russell was aware of the influence of newspapers. He stated in 1912: “Few indeed are those that realize the opportunities and the power of the Press in this the twentieth century. So great is this power that the generally accepted opinion of a nation upon a subject may be completely reversed within a month. This was not so fifty or one hundred years ago. Under former conditions it would have taken a century to crystallize public opinion on such a matter as the recent Dr. Cook and Commodore Peary North Pole controversy. This case was, through the Press, placed on trial before the “Tribunal of Public Opinion,” and consequently was readily settled, furnishing an excellent example of how the people of the whole world take knowledge and settle matters in this our day. ... Thus is manifested an unprecedented opportunity for the Press. Will it be grasped? Yes! The Newspapers at present constitute the only channel through which the solution of this mighty problem can be speedily disseminated among people. The Daily and the Weekly Press of the present day are the sole source of information for millions of families, and these families assuredly will, through the Press, learn a harmonious, complete and satisfactory explanation of heretofore incomprehensible doctrinal questions.“

The Bible Students “Newspaper Syndicate” was founded by Charles T. Russell in New York in 1908 to contact national and international newspapers to regularly provide them with his sermons and weekly Bible studies, as well as to advertise various lectures and events related to the International Bible Students Association. However, long before the syndicate was founded, Russell's sermons were published weekly in newspapers.

The December 1, 1904, issue of the Watch Tower announced that sermons by C. T. Russell were appearing in three newspapers. The next issue of the Watch Tower, under the heading “Newspaper Gospelling,” reported: “Millions of sermons have thus been scattered far and near; and some at least have done good. If the Lord wills we shall be glad to see this ‘door’ keep open, or even open still wider.” The door of “newspaper gospelling” did open still wider. In 1908 sermons were being published in eleven newspapers.

Wherever C. T. Russell traveled, gave lectures, or attended conventions, he telegraphed a sermon (about two newspaper columns long) to the “Newspaper Syndicate” which then distributed the sermon to many daily newspapers in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Initially, the sermons appeared only in English; from 1912 onward, they were also published in German and Swedish.

In Watch Tower, April 15, 1909, this newly founded “Newspaper Syndicate” is introduced: “Another item: In the interest of the work we have contracted with a Newspaper Syndicate, giving it a general control of the sermons,- to say -which newspapers may have them and which may not, the terms, etc. This Syndicate will handle the sermons for profit, nevertheless at a low price. Be assured that Brother Russell makes no profit by the sale of the Gospel. In view of this we advise that our friends hereafter refrain from any effort to have the sermons published in any newspaper-contenting themselves with the encouragement of the papers publishing these sermons will be sent to us.“

In the article “The Newspaper Syndicate’s idea“ (Watch Tower 1912, p.36) we can read: “For the benefit of our readers we remark that Brother Russell is very anxious to co-operate with the Newspaper Syndicate which handles his weekly sermons. While he retains fullest liberty in respect to the subject matter of his discourses, he yields other points considerably to the Syndicate’s wishes. This will account for his greater care in his clothing, his more frequent use of cabs and parlor cars. The Syndicate insists that Brother Russell’s personality has much to do in placing his sermons far and near. And Brother Russell is glad to yield to the Syndicate’s business judgment, because he desires that his Gospel message shall be heard the world around.“

In 1913, it was reported that clergymen were resisting the publication of Russell's sermons in newspapers. Russell wrote: “Divine providence is still favoring the presentation of the Gospel in the public press. The efforts of the enemies of the Gospel of the kingdom to misrepresent our teachings and to prejudice editors and publishers against them have not prevailed. In this also we perceive that He that is for us is mightier than all they that be against us. The day may come when the truth will be crushed to the earth by slander and misrepresentation, but that day has not come yet. Indeed, in quite a number of instances the editors, although worldly men, have appreciated the situation, despised the unjust principle manifested by some preachers in their opposition, and have given space and prominence to our message. The latest figures given us by the Newspaper Syndicate which handles the Sermons and Bible Study Lessons in the United States and Canada show 1,424 papers publishing weekly. About 600 papers in Great Britain, South Africa and Australia publish weekly. This in round figures represents 2,000 newspapers. How many millions of readers are thus reached by these papers we know not, nor can we tell how many of those reached are reading and being influenced. We do know, however, that the whole world is waking up, and that the truths we are presenting are gaining adherents and exerting influence everywhere.“

The December 15, 1914, issue of the Watch Tower reports that the spread decreased: As our readers are aware, Pastor Russell's sermons and weekly Bible studies have for several years been very widely published in the secular newspapers. The number publishing is not so large as formerly; nevertheless, we are probably reaching more people than ever, by reason of inserting the sermons in metropolitan newspapers – in New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Baltimore, Washington, Los Angeles. … The difference between the two services is that in the smaller cities the sermons are published strictly as news, the newspapers paying for the stereotyped plates twenty-five cents per column weekly. It is the business with these, conducted by a newspaper syndicate, that has fallen off considerably. The number now publishing the sermons, etc., regularly, is about one thousand.

The Lecture Bureau

This “Newspaper Syndicate,” newly founded in 1908, had its lecture bureau in the Metropolitan Building, New York, in room 3040. The building was located at 1 Madison Avenue in Manhattan. From March 1916, the office of John G. Kuehn of the Mena Film Company was also located in room 6078 in the same building. Several people were members of both the newspaper syndicate and the Mena Film Company.

The department consisted of journalists, reporters, typists, and photographers.The office was headed by George Chester Driscoll. At the same time, there were three permanent staff members (Isaac Page Noll, George Minor Huntsinger, and Dr. Leslie Whitney Jones), as well as several outside assistants and photographers.

Reporter, Director and Travel manager

Driscoll was the person responsible for Russell's public funding, activities, and travel arrangements. For twenty years (from 1897) he was in special newspaper syndicate work. In 1908 he organized and became manager of the Pastor Russell Lecture Bureau, which syndicated Russell’s sermons through the American Press and other newspaper Associations in America and also in foreign countries, through which Russell’s sermons were published in over 4000 newspapers. He supervised the publicity of Russell’s various Foreign campaigns, and as publicist preceded the Foreign Investigations Committee as well as arranging for the advertising etc., in connection with the public meetings which Russell addressed on that tour. He was Russell’s special advertising manager in connection with the Photo Drama publicity.

In 1915 he became president and manager of the Pyramid Film Company, in 1918 he became a director of the Mena Film Company and in 1919 he became a manager of the Kinemo Kit Corporation and worked as Moving Picture Producer. In 1920 he travelled with J. F. Rutherford, A. H. Macmillan, A. R. Goux and D. W. Soper to Palestine and Egypt. Some movies were made for the Kinemo Company.

After one year’s service in America Hollister was manager of the Pastor Russell Lecture Bureau of Great Britain (in 1910), Africa and Australia. In 1912 Russell gave him the management of translating the first Volume and other messages which were subsequently disseminated in Japan, China and Korea and other countries, necesitating much travel and work in these countries. For this reason he was made Foreign Director in the Mena Film Company. He became the Watchtower Representative of Japan and the far east. Hollister arrived in Australia in late 1913 and spent several months of the following year in Australia and New Zealand.

William James Hollister and his wife went together with Robert Reuben Hollister in 1913 to China and Japan.

Huntsinger, of Independence,Kansas, was recognized asone of the best court reporters in the country. He was one of the few stenographers who could take notes while speakers spoke quickly. He died in 1915 after an illness of three years from tuberculosis.

Jones of Chicago, was a doctor and physician (M.D.) and some sources describe him as a  chirurg (German for surgeon). Since 1905 he produced the  “Souvenir Convention Reports.“ Jones was also involved in the Mena Film Corporation and became a director of this Company. He was also a member of the Foreign Investigation Committee on the World Tour in 1912. He had charge of several Trans-Continental Special Train Parties. He died in a road accident in 1946.

Noll worked together with Jones, Huntsinger and Driscoll in the “Newspaper Syndicate.“ Noll reported on the Russell-Troy debate in 1915. In 1919 he became a director of the Kinemo Kit Corporation and the Pyramid Film Company.

He was one of the official photographers in the time of Russell and Rutherford. He was a member of the Cleveland class, Ohio. In 1919 he was a cinematographer of the Kinemo Kit Corporation. Together with Rutherford, A. H. Macmillan, A. Goux and G. C. Driscoll he visited Palestine and Egypt in 1920.

She served also as secretary in the “Newspaper Syndicate.“ She was married to John Frank Stephenson. The “Ming Yu Bao,” The Chinese Recorder, March 1913, page 134-135, wrote: “We have received two copies of a paper called “Bible Study,” and inside one is a letter signed “Bible Study Club, V. Noble, Secretary” addressed to “Fellow-servant in a foreign field,” and reading in part as follows: - “We proffer you our little journal free on receipt of a postal card request. Even postage included, the expense will not be a serious item to us”! This is followed by the intimation that on the reverse side ofthe letter will be found a place for the addresses of missionaries, which may be entered on the subscription list, ad libitum, but only at their request.”The Continent, a Presbyterian journal noted for opposing Russell and The Watch Tower, sent someone to visit the Bible Study Club offices located in the Metropolitan Building in New York City.The magazine reported: “The office to which Mr. (sic! Mrs.)Noble invited correspondents to write is occupied by a business concern of an entirely different character, which reports that “Mr. Noble” simply receives mail at that address. This firm disclaims all connection with him. On a corner of the glass in the door is the revealing line, “Pastor Russell Lecture Bureau.” (Bruce W. Schulz, A Separate Identity, Organizational Identity Among Readers of Zion’s Watch Tower: 1870-1887).

For a period of time Russells sermons were published weekly in more than 2,000 newspapers, with a combined circulation of 15,000,000 readers ; and in all about 4,000 different newspapers published his sermons. Some idea of the scope of his work can be understood from the words written in The Continent, a publication not friendly to him: ”His writings are said to have a greater newspaper circulation every week than those of any other living man; greater, doubtless, than the combined circulation of the writings of all the priests and preachers in North America; greater even than the work of Arthur Brisbane, Norman Hapgood, George Horace Lorimer, Dr. Frank Crane, Frederick Haskins, and a dozen other of the best known editors and syndicate writers put together.” (Harp of God, p. 239)

So Brother Russell became the greatest syndicate writer of his day. Many came to a knowledge of the truth by means of these published sermons.

After Brother Russell died, another effective method of spreading the good news began to be used. On April 16, 1922, Joseph F. Rutherford made one of his first radio broadcasts, speaking to an estimated 50,000 people.

Barbour the Inventor

 The New York, New York Tribune, January 31, 1868.

National Labor Tribune

 A guest post by Liam C., an exceptional researcher and friend to this blog.

I've reorganized the paragraphing from the original article for ease of reading.

Russell History Rediscovered 

            N.E. Nelson's Pastor Russell and His Mission, published in the National Labor Tribune (February 1913), details the Bible Student movement's history up to that time. Expanded in Pastor Russell and His Mission Culminates in the Reformation (October 1913), it formed the basis for Nelson’s partially surviving manuscript, Pastor Russell’s Sphere in the Reformation. Widely read by Bible Students, possibly including Russell, it reflects some followers’ views on his mission, though its representation of the broader movement is debatable. Typos are corrected and formatting adjusted for readability, with transcription aided by Text Sniper. Thanks to Jeff M for accessing the National Labor Tribune archives. 

Pastor Russell and His Mission by N.E. Nelson, of Duquesne, PA. 

            Pastor Russell, the eminent Divine of Brooklyn Tabernacle, Author, Editor, Traveler and Lecturer of international fame, is occupying an important position in the limelight of publicity. He occupies a position which at first glance seems a revolutionary one, and dangerous in the sense that if what he advocates and teaches should become general, it would mean a general smash-up of creeds and sectarianism considered by some a necessary pillar in the structure of society. But a perusal of his writings will develop that he appreciates keenly that construction must precede dissolution, and his teachings are decidedly constructive.

            Yet the paradox exists that the system of theology of which he is, humanly speaking, the author, differs radically in its fundamental principles from both Heathendom and Christendom. The Millennial Dawn Theology is irreconcilable with the so-called Orthodox System. Pastor Russell espousing this theology has placed himself in opposition to the fundamental principles of all Christian Seminaries and Schools. At first glance it would seem strange to claim that he is right and the many wrong, yet history contains many similar instances: When Nature produces a thinker, everything in the nature of Philosophy is at stake. Many of the old theories formed by observing the wonders of Nature have been consigned to oblivion by the discovery of some new fact. When a theory has been exploded in one branch of human knowledge, the tremor is felt in all branches and many lines of thought have to be remodeled to suit the new discovery. Instances have been known where certain branches of inquiry have been entirely revolutionized through the persistency of some one Individual outside of the accepted school.

            Pastor Russell is like one of those comets that travel in the orbit of a hyperbole. He does not travel in the ellipses or known orbits of a decaying Medieval Theology. Pastor Russell is a Reformer! Pastor Russell is a product of our times as John Wesley was a product of the corruption of Oxford University-the idleness and dissipation of the inmates of that institution made of him one of the great reformers of history. Pastor Russell is best known to the world through his fearless and relentless attacks upon the doctrine of Endless Misery.

            He has made the discovery that the Hell of Dante and Milton is no part of the Divine Revelation and since the Clergy will not make the fact known to the world, he is doing it, Here is his apology for his mission: "If the Bible does teach that Eternal Torture is the fate of all except the Saints, it should be preached, yea thundered, weekly, daily, hourly. If it does not so teach, the fact should be known and the foul stain dishonouring God's holy name removed. "Pastor Russell's spiritual lineage traces to Henry Ward Beecher and John Wesley. It was Luther, Calvin and Knox that burst the seal which Papacy had placed upon the Bible during the Dark Ages.

            The Reformation started by these three contemporaries almost simultaneously in Germany, France and Scotland, was the undertow of the Italian Renaissance and gave birth to the Calvinistic branch of Protestantism. The spirit of the Reformation has since been kept alive by Wesley, Beecher and Russell.

            The black picture of Absolute Predestination served as a background for, the three leading lights of the Arminian branch, who approached the doctrine of the Atonement from the standpoint of Love (Free Grace) instead of Justice (Election.) Russell's system of Theology embraces harmoniously these two variant thoughts of the Calvanistic and Wesleyan branches—Election and Free Grace, which made the Bible appear as a fiddle upon which any tune could be played. These two conflicting doctrines find their place in the Divine Economy when received in the light of the “Divine Plan of the 'Ages" Pastor Russell’s first book. The doctrine of Election has been true in the past and present in which God has been training and schooling individuals in the principles of Righteousness to constitute an institution which God will use in the future in the dispensation of Free Grace in dispensing His blessings to all mankind.

            Henry Ward Beecher's Theology, like Wesley's, was of Arminian cast, but he has been classed with the Independent (whose theology is Calvinistic) on account of his church government. The Independent churches have the correct form of government but wrong doctrines. Like Paine and Jefferson, who made a specialty of Page of 1 6 politics and incidentally of religion, Beecher took a hand in assisting Lincoln against slavery in the South, but his vocation was in the religious sphere-his work is now crystallized into the Plymouth Church.

            Wesley and Beecher in turn have broken down creed fences, and shattered denominational errors. They have been scouts in the vanguard of the marching army of Christians, and, like Russell, they have been mistaken by their own forces for the enemy. The main army is now approaching and Russell is being recognized as the prophetic scout of True Christianity. His literature is resurrecting Primative Christianity from the rubbish of Paganism, Platonism and Nicomo Dogmatism, and is an offset to Modern Rationalism running amuck. This is being successfully accomplished by Pastor Russell amongst God-fearing people. Concerning the reformer John Wesley, Hubbard has remarked, "Philosophers with the, brains of Newton, Spencer, Hogel and Schoponhauer, could never have done the work of Wesley.

            Had Wesley known more he would have done less. He was a God-intoxicated man—his heart was aflame with Divine Love." In line with these remarks we have to say that knowledge is not the chief end of Life; it is only a means to an end, and that end is Service. We hail the man that will step forward and shoulder the responsibility. To lay down his life in the service of others, is the most noble and honorable of vocations. A man that does this must of necessity have a large heart. The Head and Heart should be trained for Service.

            Pastor Russell differs radically from Wesley in that the poetical and sentimental characteristics of the latter, are entirely foreign to his nature: he is calm, calculating and often severe. His personality is not revealed in his writings. He is decidedly entertaining in conversation, with a grey eye of slow movement sparkling with a streak of subtle Irish wit that cannot be traced in his literature. In conversation he is strangely open, with child-like simplicity, seeing the comic side of everything, whereas in his literature, he is serious abstruse and profound. He is not addicted to inventing new words, as is the case of many writers, to represent the delicate shades and tints of the subjects that he deals with, but clothes his lofty themes with common English colored with expressions borrowed from the Scripture.

            For this reason, he is often misunderstood by many of his colleagues and has learned from experience, the truthfulness of Emerson's remark- "It is a fault of our rhetoric that we cannot strongly state one fact without seeming to belie some other."

            Pastor Russell possesses more depth than brilliancy. He is more of a Seer and Teacher than a Philosopher and Logician. Although his genius consists pre-eminently in intuition, his writings are fused with a vein of logic that identifies him with the Apostle Paul, as his prototype. But his success is due more to his powers of concentration and faithfulness to principle, than his Phrenological endowment. He is not without deficiencies and faults; a well balanced man like David could not accomplish the work that is outlined for Russell. For a strong man to change the complexion of the spirit of an age, he must of necessity lean the other way. Russell is the man in the right place!

            Pastor Russell is a voluminous writer. His books consists of seven volumes (six of which are published and in circulation) with the serial title of "Millennial Dawn." He is the editor of "The Watch Tower," a semi monthly companion to the books and several auxiliary monthly and quarterly papers. Those have been appearing regularly since 1874.

            He is the Compiler, not Author, of most of the matter that appears in the first three volumes of the Millennial Dawn Series. The central idea set forth in the first of the series-"The Divine Plan of the Ages" harmonizes many seemingly conflicting passages of Scripture into a symphoneous whole. The view therein presented saved his own faith in the Bible as a Divine Revelation, from being swamped in the sea of infidelity that is flooding Christendom. The discovery of this central thought, the division of God's plan into times and seasons, is just as important to Theology as the discovery of Copernicus is to science-that the Sun is the center of the Solar System. In either case all seeming contradictions and confusions in Scripture or movements of the planets disappeared-order, system and harmony prevails.

            As a result of this discovery Pastor Russell absolutely refused to have anything to do with any line of thought that conflicted with the Cross of Christ, so prominently set forth in the Scriptures. At a time when the leading stars of the Ecclesiastical Heavens are teaching that the most important fact in Jesus' mission was, not his death, but his life and teachings, at this timely moment Russell's faithfulness to his convictions has been rewarded in his being the instrumentality of producing and presenting to the Christian world his masterpiece- "The -at-one-ment Between God and Man." The doctrine of the Atonement, the very foundation of the Christian religion, which seems so ridiculous as popularly understood in the light of present day advancement, has at last been placed on a rational and philosophic basis by being interpreted in the light of the "Divine Plan of the Ages." Christ's death is still more important to True Christianity than his life and teachings. Pastor Russell has done for the Cross of Christ, what Jesus himself did while on earth for the Mosaic Law, "He magnified it and made it honorable." The Christian World now has a Theology with the "Completeness of a Science and the precision of Algebra."

            Pastor Russell's mission is threefold (1) The first consists in erasing from the Bible the muddy stains that it received from its contact with Pagan and during the Dark Age, consisting principally of: (A) Endless Misery of the Non-elect. (B) The nonsensical conception of God represented by Trinitarians. (C) The literal phase of the Platonic Philosophy of Immortality or the Natural Inherent Immortality of the Soul, All these he has decidedly proven to be of human origin; that they are the products of the human mind in an outcast condition feeling after God with an untrained reason if haply they might find him.

            The second feature of his mission consists of his being at the head of the only systematic and effectual movement in the entire Christian field that is saving God's people from the wave of Atheism that is sweeping through every College and Seminary in civilized lands "The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society," a business not a church organization. The movement is so effectual and systematic, with little or no parliamentary machinery in evidence and yet so thoroughly organized, that it has incited the wonder and admiration of those who are doing everything in their power to quell it.

            The Society's work is divided into three departments, (A) The Colporteur Department, (B) the Peoples Pulpit Association which manages a staff, consisting of qualified public lecturers, (C) The Newspaper Syndicate, which looks after the publication of Pastor Russell's sermons, advertising, etc., and which has his sermons in the leading news papers in the United States and England, numbering about two thousand. Barring the exceptions of those coming from the professional walks, the rank and file of these various departments are mustered from the "International Bible Students Association" or small Berean Bible Classes that are scattered throughout the two continents.

            These small groups use in connection with their Bible study, the publications of the Society, hence. it is worked on the “Seminary Extension" plan which develops the talents of all by the full liberty of expression granted, and the public speakers graduated from these Ecclessias do not have their individuality ironed out. They are mustered into service and sent out on tours like John Wesley, the circuit rider. But instead of the slow transit of horseback days the speakers of this new reform movement are carried by rapid transit over circuits that envelop the globe. They follow one right after another, visiting and stimulating the interest already awakened in Bible study and character building, and at the same time holding public meetings that have been advertised by the Society through the local representatives.

            According to the yearly requests of the small Berean Bible classes wherever they exist, these circuits are outlined from the Home office and its branches in England, Germany, Sweden, Australia, etc. The small Bible classes are started principally by the Colporteur Department which is self-supporting. The territory is mapped out for the army of self-sacrificing Christians consisting principally of those 'who are not encumbered with domestic ties, but in many instances the homes have been willingly broken up and the children placed in the hands of relatives in order that the parents may be of some assistance in spreading the "Good News of the Kingdom" and taking part in the "Harvest Work!" Can one beat this for religious zeal? This is done without being urged, merely a correct understanding of the movement is sufficient!

            The territory in which this army works, embraces all of the thickly populated sections of the United States, Canada, England, Germany, Sweden, Australia, in fact, everywhere that a sufficient number of sales can be made to pay expenses. After a given place has been covered, the ground is gone over again by the same parties with a view to stimulate sufficient interest to institute a Bible Class. The addresses of purchasers of the books are sent to the Home Office and from there they are reminded of the contents of the books they have purchased. Hence, the Bible Classes are made up of people from every imaginable cast of religion, and race, but mostly from the great common people, the middle classes. The secret of the immense amount of work accomplished, as shown in their annual reports, by such a small force and comparatively small amount of capital, of which positively not one cent is solicited, but all is obtained by voluntary contributions, lies in the fact that there is embodied into the Society the principles of the primitive church. Local Elders receive no financial compensation for service. The only ones who receive any financial remuneration are they who are directly connected with the movement by devoting their entire time to the work, and these consist principally of the office force and traveling lecturers. Merely living and traveling expenses are paid to each. From the president of the society down to the janitor in the office, each receives a like amount. Here we have the wage system of Edward Bellamy's “Looking Backwards," actually applied. The place works admirably and automatically sifts out drones from the large family of energetic and self-sacrificing Christians, who all dine at the Bethel Home, formerly the Brooklyn home of Henry Ward Beecher, the leading spirit of the Plymouth Church.

            This brief sketch of this movement started in the seventies by N. H. Barbour, J. H. Paton and C. T. Russell in the city of Allegheny, Pa. (now Pittsburgh. North Side), which is so effectually accomplishing the "Harvest Work” which these men believed back there was the work of the hour, may afford an intelligent appreciation of how Pastor Russell's book "The Divine Plan of the Ages" has reached such an enormous circulation in so short a period.

            The following paragraphs are an editorial from the "Overland Monthly" for January, 1910: "During the past year the Overland Monthly has been running a very instructive series of articles by C. T. Russell, Pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, New York. These articles have created widespread attention, calling forth columns of newspaper comment in a manner most remarkable. Mr. Russell’s books have a larger circulation than any English work. Of his work entitled "Studies in the Scriptures," the average output is two thousand three hundred copies for each working day. In one year seven hundred and twenty-eight thousand, four hundred and seventy-four volumes were sold. Since publication over five million volumes have been circulated. In addition to these there were several hundred million pages of his tracts circulated. Of all literature the Bible is about the only book that has had a larger circulation. The Chinese Almanac printed by the Imperial Press has a circulation of eight million. The Bible is way ahead of this, one society alone having circulated over one hundred and seventy million copies. But in American literature, Mr. Russell stands first. In the literature of the world, the order would probably be as follows: The Bible, the Chinese Almanac, the "Studies in the Scripture," "Don Quixote," “Uncle Tom's Cabin" and Hubbard's “Message to Garcia.”

            The third feature of Pastor Russell's mission consists of infusing religious zeal into the Zionist Movement started back in the seventies by prominent Jews. This phase of his mission had its initial start in October, 1910, when he addressed a large mass meeting of Hebrews in New York City, The account of this incident was reported by the "New York American" on October 2 and 9, 1910. The account will serve to show the remarkable strides made by him since he started on the platform. Emanating from the commercial life of Pittsburgh, Pa., to the rostrum, he had no training as public speaker and yet this man accomplished the remarkable feat 'of swaying a Jewish audience that had absolutely no sympathy with Christianity. The account follows in part:- “The unusual spectacle of 4,000 Hebrews enthusiastically applauding a Gentile preacher after having listened to a sermon he addressed to them concerning their own religion, was presented at the Hippodrome yesterday afternoon, where Pastor Russell, the famous head of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, conducted a most unusual service.” “In his time the venerable pastor has done many unconventional things. His religion is bounded by no particular denomination. and encompasses, as he says, all mankind. His ways of teaching it are his own. But he never did a more unconventional thing than this nor a more successful one. He won over an audience that had come-some of it, at least-prepared to debate with him, to resent perhaps, what might have appeared like a possible intrusion. ‘Pastor Russell is going to try to convert the Jews to Christianity, was the word that many had received before the meeting. 'He wants to proselyte us.' " "In the crowd which filled the big showhouse were scores of rabbis and teachers, who had come to speak out in case the Christian attacked their religion or sought to win them from it. They had questions and criticisms ready for him. He was received at first in a dead silence.

            But the pastor did not seek to convert the Jews. To their unbounded delight, he pointed out the good things of their religion, agreed with them in their most important beliefs as to their salvation, and finally, after a warm advocacy of the plan of the Jews establishing a nation of their own, brought about a tumult of applause by leading a choir in the Zichist anthem: "Hatikva-Our Hope.” "A more interesting audience the Hippodrome never held, perhaps. From all parts of the city came serious-minded Hebrews to hear what it was an alien, a gentile, might have to say to them at a service, held during their week of feasting, Rosh Hoshana. They were quiet, well-dressed, thinking men and women. Among them were many prominent figures of the Hebrew literary world. Some of these escorted Pastor Russell to the Hippodrome in a motor car and then took places in the Auditorium.

            The literary men recognized the pastor as a writer and investigator of international fame on the subject of Judaism and Zionism. Some of those present were Dr. Jacobs, editor of the American Hebrew; W. J. Solomon, of the Hebrew Standard; J. Brosky, associate editor of the same: Louis Lipsky, editor of the Maccabean; A. B. Landau, of the Warheit; Leo Wolfson, president of the Federation of Romanian Societies; J. Pfeffer, of the Jewish Weekly; S. Diamont, editor of the Jewish Spirit; S. Goldberg, editor of the American Hebrew; J. Barrondess, of the Jewish Big Stick, and Goldman, editor of the H'Yom, the only Jewish daily."

            There were no preliminaries. Pastor Russell, tall, erect and white-bearded, walked across the stage without introduction, raised his hand, and his double quartette from the Brooklyn Tabernacle sang the hymn, “Zion's Glad Day." But still there seemed an air of aloofness about the audience. They did not applaud, but sat silently watching the stalwart figure of the Pastor. When he began to talk, however, they gave him respectful attention. With a powerful, yet charming voice, that filled the great playhouse, the unconventional clergyman made his every word audible to every hearer. His tones please their ears, his graceful gestures soon captivated their eyes, and in a few moments his apparently thorough knowledge of his subject appealed to their minds. Though still silent, the 4,000 were ‘warming up' to him.

            It was not long before all reserve, and all possible doubt of Pastor Russell's entire sincerity and friendliness were worn away. Then the mention of the name of a great Jewish leader-who, the speaker declared, had been raised by God for the cause-brought a burst of applause.” "From that moment on the audience was his. The Jews became as enthusiastic over him as though he had been a great rabbi or famous orator of their own religion. He hailed them as one of the bravest races of the earth – having kept their faith through the persecutions and cruelties of all other people for thousands of years. And he predicted that before very long they would be the greatest of the earth-not merely a people any longer, but a nation.

            By a system of deductions based upon the prophecies of old, the pastor declared that the return of the kingdom of the Jews might occur at so near a period as the year 1914. Persecution would be over and peace and universal happiness would triumph." "As he brought his address to a conclusion the pastor raised his hand again to his choir; this time they raised the quaint, foreign sounding strains of the Zion hymn, "Our Hope,’ one of the masterpieces of the eccentric East Side poet, Imber. The unprecedented incident of Christian voices singing the Jewish anthem came as a tremendous surprise. For a moment the Hebrew auditors could hardly believe their ears, Then, making sure it was their own hymn, they first cheered and clapped with such ardor that the music was drowned out, and then, with the second verse, joined in by hundreds.”

`           The business tactics of the Newspaper Syndicate employed in connection with advertising his lectures and travels throughout the world are not his personal preference. They are tolerated in the interest of the cause he represents. His popularity is due principally to this. The real message and man is not known to the public as they are to those who are identified with the movement. The poetic and perfective scouts-the vanguards of civilization-are never understood by their contemporaries, not until their death is the universal mind awakened and the people out of a stupor sit up and take notice.

            The only popular books are those that tell you what you already knew, but could not express. They see little who see only what is palpable to sense and sight, and should a writer say more than you can understand. Congratulate yourself on being out-witted. Keep your poise and if you are worthy you will understand. The serenest view is obtained when no personal interest is involved.

            We supplement this article with the following biographic sketch from a phamplet by the Pastor Russell Lecture Bureau, gleaned from an article in the National Encyclopedia of American Biography, Vol. 12:-

            Charles Taze, second son of Joseph L. and Ann. Eliza (Birney) Russell, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1852. At the age of three the Russell children began to receive their "first impressions" on religion, some of which have since been shattered, notably those relating to the supposed literal lake of fire as a place of eternal torment for the unsaved. Up to the age of fifteen Russell believed, as gospel truth, all and only such doctrines as his sectarian ministers had taught him. To learn to understand doctrines at that period was very difficult, as the clergy usually discouraged individual Bible research and the asking of questions on doctrines was then considered equivalent to doubting, and "to doubt was to be damned." The dissipation of this superstitious reverence and fear awaited only such time as he should attempt to defend by the Scriptures his particular sectarian views, and subsequent events justify the thought that Providence had decreed that just at this juncture young Russell should attempt to reclaim an infidel acquaintance to Christianity. By skilfull questions, which were unanswerable by either minister or laymen from their sectarian standpoints, and by the maneuvering of many seemingly paradoxical Scriptures, the infidel completely routed young Russell, who within a few months became an admitted skeptic. Here, as in nearly every similar case, the Bible was discarded together with the doctrines' of the creed. Few, indeed, under such circumstances, study the Scriptures to see whether they had been properly interpreted, and Charles Taze Russell was no exception. As he desired to learn the truth regarding the hereafter, the next few years were devoted to the investigation of the claims of the leading Oriental religions, all of which he found to be unworthy of credence, hence we see him arriving at manhood's estate with a mind unsatisfied, and a mind which, despite all efforts to the contrary, was still subject to its occasional bad hours on account of its "first impression" on the eternal torment theology. At twenty-one Mr. Russell was possessed of much knowledge and voluminous data on "religion" as believed in and practiced in all parts of the world. Apparently these were to become of no value to himself or others because of large business responsibilities that were placed on him at this time. Days grew into weeks and weeks into months and he found less and less time to devote to the theological research, and the solace for heart and head so diligently sought for seemed as remote to him as ever. The question that here confronted him was, "Shall I try longer to find the truth on religion? Or shall I smother the hope of finding it and strive for fame and fortune among the financial and commercial captains of the time?" The latter he was about to do, but fortunately he decided to search first the Scriptures from a skeptic's standpoint, for its own answer on hell-fire and brimstone. Amazed at the harmonious testimony, providing an unexpected but satisfactory answer, he undertook systematic Bible research, and was brought to a complete confidence in the Bible as being inspired by an all-wise, powerful, just and loving Creator, worthy of adoration and worship. Thus a sure anchor for a fainting hope was found, and an honest truth seeking heart was made glad. To gladden the hearts of others was his new ambition, and the question then was, "What should he do and how should he do it? Determining, if possible, to reach every truth seeker, whether Catholic, Protestant, Jew or Freethinker, he found it necessary to stand free from all sectarian bonds and to inaugurate an independent work. His first work was the preparation and free distribution of over one million copies of a booklet, “Food for Thinking Christians." Thirty-five years as a public and private teacher on Bible topics has served to prove that he can best reach and teach the public from an unsectarian standpoint, therefore he has remained "independent." In a remarkably short time, as a result of the publication of the booklet, "Food for Thinking Christians," appeals began to be received from Bible Students far and near, calling upon Mr. Russell to defend his position by either lectures or debates. This he did to a remarkable degree, including a long series of regular sermons in Pittsburgh, Pa., eventuating in Mr. Russell accepting the pastorate of an “Independent' congregation of six hundred, meeting regularly in Page of 5 6 Carnegie hall, Pastor Russell relinquishing this charge at the time of his removal East to accept the pastorate of Brooklyn Tabernacle, which he still retains. As the years passed by invitations to deliver undenominational Bible lectures increased. Large halls in the foremost cities of Great Britain, Norway and Sweden, Germany and America are tendered, with seats free to the public. As many as possible of these invitations are accepted by Pastor Russell, thus annually enabling hundreds of thousands of Christians in and out of all denominations, and skeptics, Jews and Gentiles, believers and unbelievers, to assemble together in a neutral place to hear free of cost the discussion of Bible topics by an "Independent." In harmony with this principle, Pastor Russell accepts no fee for speaking and accepts no invitation to speak when an admission is to be charged or when a collection is to be taken. Sufficient invitations are now on file to fill every date available for two years. These invitations, when accepted, are assigned dates, and arranged in such a manner as to make tours or circuits whereby train parties of Bible Students are enabled to attend from ten to thirty district Bible Students Conventions on one tour. The biography of this interesting character in brief: At the age of fifteen, an enthusiastic Sunday school worker; at seventeen, a skeptic, made so by the arguments of an infidel acquaintance; at twenty, an earnest Bible student, which led to a restoration to full confidence in the Scriptures as the inspired word of God; at twenty-five, a public speaker on Bible doctrines; at thirty, the editor of a religious journal and pastor of a congregation in Pennsylvania; at thirty five, the author of a book which has reached the three million mark;-at forty, well known throughout the United States and Canada as a public speaker; at forty-five, prominent as a writer on Jewish topics, after having thoroughly studied the special divine promises to Israel as respects their restoration as a people in Palestine; at fifty, president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract society; at fifty-five, the writer of five additional works on Biblical research, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle and president of the New York Peoples' Pulpit Association. In this, his sixtieth year, he finds himself charged with the duties incumbent upon the holder of the foregoing position, and also the pastor of the London Tabernacle, which henceforth is to have a liberal share of his time. During the past year Pastor Russell has delivered addresses to many Jewish audiences on the prospects of their race in Palestine.

Canada Tracts

 I need scans of these, as many as can be found:

An oops moment...

This letter was noticed in the Bible Students' unofficial newspaper, the St Paul Enterprise, for August 16, 1916.