Friday, January 13, 2017
Herman strikes again
Last month (December) Rachael posted that there had been a flurry of interest in an old post on Herman Heinfetter. You can find the original (reprinted from a Bible Collectors' magazine) if you use the search facility on this site. Herman produced several Bible translations in the 1840s through to the 1860s in London, UK.
Those interested in this work can try google and download a pdf, although one comment suggested that these might not be complete. So - I went online to try and obtain a print copy.
The original is very rare, or more accurately - originals are... Herman produced a number of editions as part works and then complete works and two different translations - one called A Literal Version and one called An English version. They were privately produced in very small numbers. But shopping around I found that as well as ridiculous prices for print on demand, it was also possible to obtain both versions quite cheaply. I won't give the links because one already appears to have changed by this time of writing, but a search should yield something similar.
From "abebooks" came The Literal Version of around 450 pages from 1863. It only cost around 14 GBP including mailing from India. Yes - India. The downside was that it was reduced in size. I have seen an original in the Bible Society library, and while this size looks good in the bookcase, Herman's copious notes were pretty small in the original, so you need very good eyesight or a magnifying glass. For the general reader, this version reads like an interlinear.
From Amazon came The English Version of over 800 pages from 1864. This only cost me 8 GBP including mailing. It came from the UK, but was originally reprinted in the US. This was full size and is far more readable and user-friendly.
So what has this to do with this blog? Herman Heinfetter was the pseudonym of a British businessman who was a longtime member of the Anglo-Biblical Institute. His real name was Fred Parker, and he made his money as (quote) "an animal charcoal manufacturer". Although apparently a loner, with no direct connections to Unitarians, Adventists or Age to Come adherents of the day, he knew of the works of George Storrs. And his translation has some unusual features, like the use of "a God" in the last clause of John 1 v.1 and the regular use of "Jehovah" for the name of God over 150 times in his New Testament.
These non-traditional translation decisions may be rather familiar to many readers of this blog.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
General Alexander P. Stewart - Work in progress
Alexander Peter Stewart is the first on the left
CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY
1905
"We had a warm welcome in St. Louis, too, and the attendance was excellent, notwithstanding the fact that we did not get the announcement into the WATCH TOWER, and hence but few came from nearby towns. The morning session was in the "Christian Church" edifice. The topic was "Consecration," and following it nine symbolized full consecretion by water baptism. Among the number was Brother Alexander Stewart, well known throughout the South for the active and prominent part he took in the war of the Rebellion, as the leader of "Stewart's Cavalry." General Stewart is of advanced years, but clear of intellect. He has been a "soldier of the Cross" for some time, and deeply interested in "Present Truth" for several years. He expected to be symbolically baptized at the time of the Chattanooga Convention, but was prevented by ill health. After leaving the water Brother Stewart was heard to express great satisfaction at having thus outwardly confessed his blessed Lord and his full devotion to him and His cause. Brother Stewart already had joined the army of the Lord, but this act of public confession he, so to speak, donned his regimentals and joined the forces "on the firing line." ............. [1]
1908
"Brother Russell, in closing this address, informed the audience that he was called to St. Louis, Mo., to preach the funeral sermon of our beloved brother Gen. A. P. Stewart, once of the Confederate army, and ranking Lieutenant-General in the same. The funeral address on that occasion, we believe, was published by several of the prominent newspapers. Brother Russell returned at the convention after an absence of two days." [2]
1908
"The service was simple, Rev. C. T. Russell, of Pittsburgh, president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and long intimate friend of General Stewart told of his character, his service to Tennessee, his native State, and as an educator." [3]
[2] WT 1908 R 4244 "Brother A. P. Stewart's Funeral"
[3] The Gold Leaf. Volume, September 10, 1908, p. 2
Monday, January 9, 2017
New contact ...
Dear Mister Schulz,
Sorry for contacting you this way. My name is Dr. ----. I am a historian from Germany. Via Internet I have found your email address. Since I am doing research on religious freedom and constitutional rights, I came across your book “A Separate Identity” what seems very interesting to me. In connection with Jehovah’s Witnesses many historians claim Russell’s beginnings are found in Adventism in view of his close relationship with Stetson, Storrs and Barbour. They conclude that his activities had been influenced by Adventist teachings for many years. Now I read in your publication about him being influenced by Age-to-Come belief or the One Faith Movement. That sounds pretty thrilling. Could you help me with some sources in this regard? That would be very kind of you. Thank you very much!
Kind regards,
Dr. A**** D****n
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Think Before you Conclude
My comments on the General Hall comment trail:
Several
issues exist in this discussion, providing me with an excuse to rant. Ready?
Presuming
facts not in evidence is a logical fallacy. If you read the comments carefully
you will see some that presume a conclusion is true because it might be true,
or the writer wishes it to be true. The several arguments fall into categories
of flawed logic.
1. Argument
from ignorance: This argument is called argumentum ad ignorantiam. It
assumes something is true because it has not been proved false. Can you find an
example in the comment trail? I see several.
2. Argument
from silence: This style of argument is called argumentum ex silentio.
An argument from silence presumes a conclusion based on the absence of
evidence. See an example in the comment trail?
3. Quoting
out of context: Self explanatory or should be. Emphasizing words or phrases
without reference to context.
4. False/Single authority: Using as sole source a
partisan or otherwise dubious authority to support a conclusion.
5. "Onus
probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat" The burden of proof is
on the person who makes the claim, not on the person denying it.
Speculation
plays an important part in historical research. It leads one into further
research, sometimes uncovering important new material. But speculation, which
in its very nature is guesswork, often flawed thinking, certainly never sound
in itself even if proved right later, has no place in final conclusions.
I realize
that few who comment here are trained logicians. But logic is ‘second-nature’
to humans. We most often close our ears to logic’s prodding. Usually we want
something to be true [or false] and we persuade ourselves that evidence
supports us when it does not. Listen to the small voice of logic; be critical
of your conclusions.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
General Hall
by Jerome
The
book God’s Kingdom Rules discusses on page 56 the stand that Bible Students
took towards warfare during WW1. While the command not to kill was paramount in
their minds, they also wished to be obedient to their understanding of the “higher
powers (superior authorities)” of Romans 13. On that basis, some were prepared
to join the army and wear a uniform. Of course, wearing a soldiers’ uniform,
carrying a weapon, but then firing to miss, would be a difficult situation to
be in, but this was the basic advice CTR gave in Volume 6 of Studies in the
Scriptures, The New Creation, pages 594-595:
"We would consider it not amiss...to request a transference to the medical or hospital department, where our services could be used with full consent of our consciences; but even if compelled to serve in the ranks and fire our guns we need not feel compelled to shoot a fellow man."
"We would consider it not amiss...to request a transference to the medical or hospital department, where our services could be used with full consent of our consciences; but even if compelled to serve in the ranks and fire our guns we need not feel compelled to shoot a fellow man."
This
background may help some modern readers to understand the picture at the top of
this article. This is General William Preble Hall, in full military uniform,
wearing his medals. Hall was a Bible Student. The photograph is taken from a
convention report for 1911; a convention where Hall was a featured speaker.
So
who was this man? What was his background and connection with the Bible
Students?
Hall
came from a military background. He was born in 1848. He graduated from West
Point in 1868 and served principally on Western Frontier duty until the
Spanish-American war. He rose to the rank of Brigadier General. The following comes
from the volume Who Was Who in America 1897-1942, page 507. (Spelling and
abbreviations used have been preserved)
“Served
principally on frontier duty until Spanish war; was in fight with Apaches at
Whitestone, MT, Ariz., July 13 1873; Big Horn and Yellowstone Exped, 1876. And
in action at Indian Creek, WY July 17, 1876, and combat of Slim Buttes, Dak.,
Sept. 9-10, `876; attacked by Indians while in command of reconnoitering party
near camp on White River, CO, Oct 29, 1879, and while going rescue a brother
officer was surrounded by about 35 warriors; awarded Congressional Medal of
Honor for most distinguished gallantry on that occasion’ Adj. Gen Dep Puerto
Rico 1899-1900. Was mem. Dept. Div. army, and distinguished marksmen teams.
1879-92, and won medals upon all these teams, shooting, carbine, and revolver.
Retired June 11, 1912.”
The
reference to Big Horn calls to mind the death of General Custer. From anecdotal
evidence (letter from Russell Kurzen of WT headquarter staff dated Jan 23,
1995) “One day before the Battle of the Little Big Horn, Custer told Hall to
scout the Indians, so he came within one day of dying with Custer and his men.”
The same source said that Hall had a reputation for kindness and fairness to
the Indians, often seeing to it that their needs were met out of army supplies.
(Hall served as a Quartermaster at different stages of his career.)
(The words "anecdotal" and "evidence" probably don't belong together in the last paragraph. For an interesting discussion of this disputed account see the comments - Jerome)
(The words "anecdotal" and "evidence" probably don't belong together in the last paragraph. For an interesting discussion of this disputed account see the comments - Jerome)
So
how did General Hall become a Bible Student?
Hall
relates his experience in a letter to ZWT for June 1, 1905. In September 1904
while attending the World’s Fair at St Louis, he had picked up two tracts
published by the Watch Tower, and was moved to write off for the first volume
of Millennial Dawn. He soon obtained the other volumes and his letter shows his
full commitment to the message.
By
1907 CTR was highlighting Hall’s example in sharing his faith. In a convention
talk “To Colporteurs and Harvest
Workers” CTR singled out Hall for praise in visiting all the
people he knew in Washington with Bible Student tracts. In CTR’s estimation
this took more courage than fighting on the battlefield.
In 1908, Hall was one of those listed who had taken “the vow”.
By
1911 Hall was giving the address of welcome at the Mountain Lake Park,
Maryland, convention, before introducing J F Rutherford as convention chairman.
It
was at this convention that a world tour was announced to investigate foreign
missions. CTR and six companions made the tour and reported back in a special
issue of the Watch Tower for April 1912. General Hall was one of the group, and
in the photograph in the Proclaimers book on page 420, he is third from the
left, just behind CTR who is seated. When the tour visited the Philippines, where
Hall still knew some US military personnel, he gave a talk on "The Bible
and Christianity from the Standpoint of a Soldier."
In
July 1912 at a convention in Washington D.C. Hall led a session which the
convention report headed Lake of Hell-Fire Officially Repudiated, which presented
an anti-Hell resolution for adoption.
In
1915 J F Rutherford produced his booklet Great Battle in Ecclesiastical
Heavens. In the character witnesses, Hall features prominently. His testimonial
to CTR (dated April 3, 1915) takes up most of page 52 in the original American
printing, signed W P Hall, Brigadier General, US Army, and then Hall’s own
photograph takes up the whole of page 53.
After
CTR died, comments on warfare and patriotism in the book The Finished Mystery resulted
in eight well-known Bible Students being arrested and sentenced to long prison
terms in 1918. They were released after around nine months in 1919.
With
his background, one might wonder how Hall dealt with this. However, it appears he
continued as a Bible Student in loyal association with the IBSA. He died in December
1927 and his obituary was published in the Society’s Golden Age magazine for
February 8, 1928, page 302. Probably written by Clayton J Woodworth, it reads:
General
Hall Passes On
GENERAL
William Preble Hall, retired, former Adjutant General of the United States
Army, and well known to Bible Students in all parts of the world, has passed
on, at the age of 79 years.
General
Hall, awarded a Congressional medal of honor for distinguished gallantry in
action in one of Colorado’s many Indian wars, in 1879, was also brave is his
defense of the truth. He was neither afraid nor ashamed to distribute tracts in
his home neighborhood, one of the most exclusive in Washington, D.C.
Though
always to some extent influenced by his early military training, he
nevertheless took his stand on the Lord’s side and was a meek and faithful
worker in the service work, doing with his might what his hand found to do. He
toured the world with Pastor C.T. Russell on the foreign mission investigation
and was the chairman of the Bible Students’ convention in Scranton in 1920. He
was a brother greatly beloved by all who knew him.
(end
of obituary)
Hall
was buried in Arlington National cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia, Section
1, Lot 653. If you check the name “William Preble Hall” on the Find a Grave
site, you can see his grave marker, along with a bit more biographical
information, including family details which this article has not covered. The Find
a Grave article does not mention his Bible Student connections. However, Hall also
gets his own article on Wikipedia. This does provide information about his
religious background along with some more photographs.
Friday, December 23, 2016
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
1881 - VERY temporary post
Usual stuff. You may copy for your own use. Do not share. This is work in progress. It may change. Further research may show some of it unreliable. Comments are welcome. Footnotes deleted from this version for ease of posting.
Remainder of the post has been deleted.
Approach to Eighteen
Eighty-One
The subject we consider in
this chapter is much distorted without context. America with much of the
Christian world was religious. Faith was serious business. If churches differed
in doctrine, sometimes hated each other condemning others to a fiery Hell –
Protestants listened to the Scripture’s prophetic voice. Historians who write
about this period tend to focus on extremist and Adventist movements. But
interest in prophecy was not limited to fringe movements. It was a main-stream
phenomenon. Baptists of various stripe, Anglicans, Presbyterians and nearly
everyone else had well defined interest in prophetic fulfillment. Some Catholic
writers believed Christ’s return impended. In 1881, a French priest, Charles
Arminjon, published a series of lectures predicting the near return of Jesus,
translated into English and published at The End of the Present World, and
the Mysteries of the Future Life.
Remainder of the post has been deleted.
Volunteer?
We need every WT use of the phrases "changed condition" and "change of condition" from 1920 to 1950. If you have the searchable disks and time to find this, we would be grateful.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Thanks!
Our request for reviews resulted in a few. Some from long time readers of this blog. And I think Sergio and Bruce posted on an older forum years ago. Thanks to all.
To meet an Amazon standard and make our book more visible, we need slightly more than 20 reviews. We have seven, all very positive and very flattering. If you haven't done so, please leave a review on Amazon.
Google books, lulu, B&N and some regional sellers take reviews too.
R
To meet an Amazon standard and make our book more visible, we need slightly more than 20 reviews. We have seven, all very positive and very flattering. If you haven't done so, please leave a review on Amazon.
Google books, lulu, B&N and some regional sellers take reviews too.
R
Useful links Herman Heinfetter
https://books.google.com/books?id=PYsEAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Herman+Heinfetter&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjq_bmh-__QAhWl64MKHeS-DQMQ6AEIHTAA#v=onepage&q=Herman%20Heinfetter&f=false
https://books.google.com/books?id=oYAEAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA1&dq=Herman+Heinfetter&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjq_bmh-__QAhWl64MKHeS-DQMQ6AEIPzAG#v=onepage&q=Herman%20Heinfetter&f=false
https://archive.org/details/aliteraltransla00unkngoog
http://www.lulu.com/us/en/shop/herman-heinfetter/an-english-version-of-the-new-testament-1864/paperback/product-15739159.html
https://books.google.com/books?id=oYAEAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA1&dq=Herman+Heinfetter&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjq_bmh-__QAhWl64MKHeS-DQMQ6AEIPzAG#v=onepage&q=Herman%20Heinfetter&f=false
https://archive.org/details/aliteraltransla00unkngoog
http://www.lulu.com/us/en/shop/herman-heinfetter/an-english-version-of-the-new-testament-1864/paperback/product-15739159.html
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Can You Help?
by Jerome
Rachael
has several times bemoaned the fact that few have written reviews of Separate
Identity, volume one. As an attempt to raise awareness of this book, as well as
the current work in progress, I am joining in asking if you can possibly help
the project in this way.
Over
recent years, a number of people have left comments on the blog, and this has
been really appreciated. If everyone who felt moved to send a comment, could
also send a review to the key sites, Amazon, Lulu, etc. that would really give
the project the increased recognition it needs.
In
addition there are an increasing number of readers worldwide. You read what is
here but may not add a comment, because quite often posts ask for specialised
information and you feel you cannot help. But you still could write your own
review, based on your own feelings about what you have read.
It
doesn’t have to be a long review. Many reviews on these sites are quite brief,
although obviously feel free to do whatever you wish. And if you wish to use a
pseudonym then that is fine. This is what I have done for the three reviews I
have posted on different sites.
There
are several books covering this ground out there, and some have received a lot
more publicity than this project. But they all have an obvious agenda, either in
attack or defence, and crucially, are often riddled with inaccuracies.
Repeating oft told tales from secondary sources does not suddenly make them
right. What the Separate Identity authors have done is go back to primary
sources where they exist, and to search out what no-one else knew did exist. And
then they have attempted to be as even-handed and as objective as is possible.
As someone who strives to write “neutrally” - even though like everyone else I
have my own point of view on some matters - I appreciate the authors’ general
approach.
So
where to review? The biggest site of all has to be Amazon. Actually, Amazon is a
number of sites, because different countries have their own version that
publish country-specific reviews and in their own languages. So why not check
yours? See what has been written - if anything. If there are reviews there, can
you add another? If there are no reviews at all as yet, can you be a
groundbreaker? I note that Rachael asks people to post to the American Amazon
site. The problem here is that if you are using your own country-specific
Amazon site, the American reviews do not show up on it, unless you are
motivated to go looking for them. Using a belt and braces approach, if you
write a review, why not try and post it on both.
Realistically
these books are not going to be best-sellers, although I know Rachael would
love them to be. Best-sellers tend to be overblown fiction or lucky school text
books. Unless you are hit by an extreme fluke, if you want to make real money, get
a “proper job.” But they add to knowledge in a specialised field. That should
be its own reward, although covering research costs from sales is an obvious
plus, and helps to fund continuing investigation.
So
what about it? If you enjoyed Separate Identity and found it of value, then
spend a few minutes and say so. If you have a possible comment to make on an
existing review out there, then make it. I admit that I rarely read all the
reviews on materials I might purchase, but I do notice the volume of reviews
and the starring system that sites use.
So
again - can you help?
As
a“filler”, below is one of the reviews I wrote a couple of years ago. To issue
the standard sort of disclaimer, the opinions expressed in this review are the
writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the blog owners.
This is the history or rather the pre-history
of the Bible Student movement associated with Charles Taze Russell. He founded
a magazine (still published today) originally called Zion’s Watch Tower and
Herald of Christ’s Presence. It started in 1879, and yet this first lengthy
volume only takes the reader up to that year. There is a massive untold story
before that year, and this is the only volume to my knowledge that really does
that justice.
Schulz and de Vienne try hard to be accurate and fair to all concerned. The problem with history is that we all tend to come at it with preconceptions. Perhaps the biggest error we make – even unconsciously - is to try and graft our modern sensibilities onto those of the 19th century. Of course, people are people in any era, but only when you understand the background of the times can you appreciate some of the things they believed and did. And rather than swing between the extremes of adulation and criticism, to understand where they were coming from in all sincerity AT THE TIME.
Also the ideas of Charles Taze Russell did not
exist in a vacuum, and this volume brings back to life many of the people he
associated with. At the time he willingly gave them credit, but this has tended
to be lost as the years have rolled by and the focus has concentrated on one
man – a focus distorted by incomplete data. This book has attempted to right
that situation.
In recent years there have been several books covering this ground, generally far more sympathetic than past attempts with a specific religious agenda. But for sheer minutia of research, backed up by references of the time, this book is ground breaking. Don’t take my word for it, if you have any interest in this subject or in the general ambience of those times, get it and read it for yourself. Whether your personal beliefs match or differ from these men of 150 years ago, it will complete many pieces of a jigsaw that you likely never knew existed.
Rachael adds: Another place to leave a review [hopefully a positive one] is here http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-separate-identity-b-w-schulz/1119584341
Friday, December 16, 2016
REVIEWS
Posting a review on Amazon or googlebooks or lulu.com helps us. Few have done it. You don't like our books? We finance our research out of pocket and from sales. Reviews help sales.
Twenty more reviews will materially help us with Amazon. Will you do it?
Update: Remember to post your review to the USA Amazon site. Reviews posted on other sites do not show up on the main site.
Twenty more reviews will materially help us with Amazon. Will you do it?
Update: Remember to post your review to the USA Amazon site. Reviews posted on other sites do not show up on the main site.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
CTR's brother-in-law, Lemuel Ackley
When Maria married CTR at her mother’s residence on
March 13, 1879 (service conducted by John H Paton) her younger brother, Lemuel,
was likely one of the guests. Unfortunately, the modern practice of group
photos for weddings was not applied to this particular wedding, so we are left
with supposition. However, Lemuel was born in Allegheny in 1857 and is found in
the census returns there for 1870 and 1880.
The photograph comes from the volume Chicago Biography
from c. 1891. The text mentions that he had been a reporter on the Pittsburgh
Dispatch and Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette from around 1879-1883. He then went
to Law School in Michigan from 1883-1885, and moved to Chicago in 1887.
When Maria left CTR she first went to Chicago to
stay with Lemuel.
Lemuel death made the news. He was murdered in court
by a disgruntled police sergeant in 1921. The story is found in the New York
Evening World for July 29, 1921. One wonders whether Maria traveled to the
funeral.
Early Italian Tract - An article by Roberto
With English language help from Rachael
In
1911 (or soon after), the Italian Watch Tower branch published a four-page tract
entitled: “Dando Ascolto alle Dottrine dei Demoni” (Listening to the Doctrines
of Demons). The caption under the picture reads: “Gehenna, which symbolized final
destruction.”
The Tract begins this way:
“LISTENING TO THE DOCTRINES OF DEMONS by C. T. Russell, 1911
The angels which kept not their first estate. Jude 6.
Today very few believe to the Bible statement that the earthly atmosphere is infested by evil spirits. And as a result of this incredulity, thousands of right-minded people are easily deceived by this evil spirits. The fog is together physical and moral. The usual method of these spirits is to arise (stir up, excite) curiosity ....”
The article’s subtitles are:
- They teach false doctrines
- Ready for these deceivers
- Seductive Spirits, fiendish doctrines
- Libidinousness of the fallen angels
- Confined angels, dark chains
- Enemies of God and men
- Jesus drove the devils out
- Scientists fall into the traps
A second and short article is entitled: “A Rare Case.” It reports of thirty-three Catholic priests of Canada that left the church. They denounce seven Catholic doctrines that conflict with the Bible. It looks like false news.
The third article is entitled: “The appeal of the Angel of Laodicea”. It is a treatment of Revelation 3:14, applied to Russell.
Can
anyone tell me the original Watch Tower publication of the first article? The
year seems to be 1911.
[Editor’s
note: The last article would mark this tract as from after 1917. – R]
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Reviews
We need more Amazon reviews, preferably good ones. Twenty would be nice. If you liked our book, review it on Amazon, please.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Volunteer?
I've found the text of a 'forgotten' debate from 1920. We need someone to transcribe it. This represents a lot of work. Anyone?
Monday, December 5, 2016
Questions
Many of the questions asked on this blog or sent to us through email can be answered by consulting one of the digitized libraries of Watch Tower publications.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Friday, December 2, 2016
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Inside Bible House 1889-1908
Several in the comment trail and back-channel have
enquired about the rooms inside the Bible House and asked if photographs exist.
With very grateful thanks to Bernhard (who has done
all the work on this), below is a picture of the building along with seventeen extra
photographs taken at the site prior to the move to Brooklyn in 1909. Ideally, you
will need to transfer the graphic into a program like Microsoft Office Picture
Manager, and then you can increase it to a readable size. You can also then select
and separate the individual photographs if you wish.
Some additional comments about the second floor of
the building will follow this.
The previous description of Bible House mentioned
that the second floor was rented out for commercial purposes. This information
came from Dr Leslie Jones (who produced the convention reports 1904-1916). His
memories of visiting Bible House and the layout were written in 1929. However,
it seems that only part of the floor was rented out because Watch Tower offices
like the Colporteur Department were on this floor. Below is a picture of part
of the second floor from both outside and inside the building to establish
this.
However, a check of trade directories of the day
show that various businesses, including insurance and music teaching, as well
as some probably connected to CTR at some point, were also carried on from the
Arch Street address. So it would seem the second floor was used by both the
Watch Tower Society and other interests. With over 2500 square feet per floor it
would be large enough to accommodate both.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
End of Bible House
Probably from the Pittsburgh Press in 1963 and probably written by George Swetnam, this is the story about the end of the Bible House building.
With grateful thanks to S P Olsen who sent it in.
Location of Bible House
In response to the question on the previous post on Bible House, I have been sent a map of modern Allegheny/Pittsburgh, where the red dot shows the former location of the building. The nearest street is West Commons Street.
You may need to enlarge the picture to see the streets more clearly.
For these kind of queries I can recommend the book 'Watch Tower of Allegheny Historical Tour' which is available from Amazon and other places. Google and ye shall find.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Bible House - 1889-1908
The building frontage
at 610 Arch Street was 13 meters wide, and the depth of the building was 18
meters. In the 1920s the frontage was completely redesigned, and then the
original building was swept away in redevelopment around the early 1960s.
The original building
was a double store building, with a basement and then three floors above the
stores. The basement was used for general shipping purposes, and then the first
floor (what Brits would call the ground floor) was the two stores. The one on
the left of the picture was used for folding and mailing Towers, books, Bibles,
and mottoes etc. The store on the right was the show room. Here Bibles and
other supplies were displayed in cases so that the public could come in off the
street and purchase. Also in this store on the right, visitors to the Bible
House were received. CTR's secretary usually occupied a desk near the window in
the front of this store, while CTR had a private office back at about the
middle of the store, where he would come each afternoon to sign letters, etc. However,
his main office or study was up on the fourth floor, off the living room.
The second floor was
generally not used for Bible Student purposes directly and was rented out for
revenue.
The third floor was
the Chapel, a large room that could hold between three and four hundred people.
There was a large motto at the back of the pulpit reading “One is Your Master
Even Christ.” All the other panels on the walls contained painted mottos in
color. Most photographs of CTR preaching in “the chapel” are actually later
ones taken at the Brooklyn Tabernacle where they moved in early 1909, but this
was closely modelled on the Bible House.
The fourth and top
floor had a number of rooms. Coming off the stairs you would enter the living
room where the Bible House Family had their daily morning worship as well as
other gatherings. Off the living room was the dining room with a long table to
accommodate the family and visitors. Also on this top floor was CTR’s private
study and the living quarters for those who were resident.
Some floors were
connected through speaking tubes.
Note: the main source
for most of the above is Dr Leslie Jones, who produced the convention reports
from 1904-1916, writing in 1929.
Addenda
Leslie Jones noted that the frontage had been completed redesigned when he visited in 1929. This is how the building looked in 1937.
Thursday, November 24, 2016
The True Prince of the Peace
Italy, January 1916
This booklet was made up of 28 pages. There is the same picture of Jesus of the Greek handbill
This booklet was made up of 28 pages. There is the same picture of Jesus of the Greek handbill
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Meal Tickets
With grateful thanks to Mike Castro, below are the three convention programs that mention the special meal tickets, one of which features in the previous post. The programs from top to bottom are 1935, 1931 and 1928.
Then below the programs is a photo of an original printing block that was used for the logo.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Temporary post ... Lawver, Foore
This is an update of part of a chapter entitled Seeking Cohesion, parts of which were posted before. This is a temporary post; most of it will go away in a few days. Comments welcome, wanted, needed or what ever prompts you to leave one
The remainder of this post has been deleted.
J. S. Lawver
and John C. Foore.
J.
S. Lawver’s preaching tour was announced in Zion’s Watch Tower, and we
can suppose sympathy to the Watch Tower message. Calling him “Brother Lawver,” Russell noted his evangelical
tour planned for mid-1882: “Bro. Lawver of Missouri starts about July first, for a trip through Kansas and Texas. Letters, requests for preaching, may be addressed to
this office.”[1] Russell included him with
other Watch Tower evangelists such as Keith and Sunderlin.
Interestingly, his trip is reported in The Restitution as well.[2]
Some overlap, sometimes a considerable overlap, in teaching and evangelism
between Watch Tower and Restitution evangelists continued into the 1890s.
The remainder of this post has been deleted.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
We need a volunteer
We need a
volunteer willing to spend a little of his own money. Are you still reading?
The
Archives of Ontario has two documents related to Rex v. J. J. Ross, the
criminal libel trial of a Baptist preacher brought by Russell. We’re committed
to finishing volume 2 of Separate Identity. All our time and money is committed
to that. We need someone willing to acquire and scan for us the two documents.
They are:
J.G. Farmer,
Barrister, Hamilton: Rex vs. Ross- Query re his right to cross- examine chief
Crown witness in libel case. (Includes a pamphlet on "Pastor" Charles
T. Russell).
Dates of Creation: 1912
Physical Description: 1 file of textual records
Notes: See also RG 22-392-0-6742 (the indictment).
Creator Code: 1711
This file or item forms a part of the following group of
records: RG 4-32 Attorney General Central Registry Criminal and Civil Files
Defendant: Ross,
John Jacob; Charged
with Defamatory Libel (against Pastor C.T. Russell): Wentworth County
Dates of Creation: 1913
Physical Description: 1 file of textual records
File/Item Ref. Code: RG 22-392-0-6742
This file or item forms a part of the following group of
records: RG 22-392 Criminal Assize Clerk criminal indictment files
Restrictions on the Group of Records of which this File/Item
forms a Part Originals are closed for conservation reasons. Researchers must
use microfilm copies.
Location and Ordering Information
File is located on self- service microfilm reel MS 8529 Note
this information for retrieval of this item. To help you find what you need,
also note the File/Item Ref. Code and/or the Creator Ref. shown above.
Contact information for Ontario Archives is:
Mailing Address:
The Archives of Ontario
134 Ian Macdonald Boulevard
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M7A 2C5
Email Address: reference@ontario.ca
Fax Number: 416-327-1999
Sunday, November 13, 2016
In this morning's email
I don't have permission to publish this, so I'm omitting the names. Some of you would know them. The writer is a COG-GC historian. The 'sender' mentioned in the email is a Christadelphian editor and historian. Nice things in this:
Raechel,
P----- H------ sent me a pdf of your 2014 book, A Separate Identity.
I have read everything with great interest (of course). You and Bruce
are excellent writers, and you have a way of digging out the whole truth
and explaining it in simple terms. I so appreciate your writings. I
have not found anyone who could differentiate between Adventism and ATC*
(except me), but Bruce did! I think that story needs to be repeated
until Church historians finally realize not every churchman in the 19th c who believed in the second coming was an Adventist!!
So,
Thank you for your monumental research and careful writing. P---- only
sent me 70 pages of the pdf, to the end of the first chapter!! I would
like to have a whole book, or whole file!!
*ATC = "Age to Come."
Friday, November 11, 2016
Benjamin Wilson and the Christadelphians
I think some of you forgot this paragraph from Separate Identity:
A recent comment on a review of Separate Identity has queried the statement in that book that Benjamin Wilson of the Diaglott was NOT a Christadelphian. In the April 4, 1916 issue of the St Paul Enterprise newspaper, on the front page, Bible Student J Adam Bohnet described one of several visits he made on Wilson, where the question was asked outright - are you a Christadelphian? Wilson replied that he was not a member of any organized religion. His whole background as one of the strands in the Church of God/One Faith movement was against organization and long before this interview he had accused the Christadelphians and Thomas of being sectarian. (For details see Biographical Encyclopedia Chronicling the History of the Church of God Abrahamic Faith, page 293).
The article from the St Paul Enterprise is posted below. I have omitted the middle section which is mainly a theological debate on Wilson's and CTR's differing views on the ransom.
Christadelphian
Connections
A
number of writers postulate a Christadelphian connection. Among more modern
writers one finds repeated references to Benjamin Wilson as a Christadelphian.
Russell, they say, got his ideas from Wilson’s Emphatic Diaglott, and Wilson was a Christadelphian. This is a fable. Wilson, son
of an Oxford professor of Greek and an immigrant to North America, was associated first with the Campbellites. He was
attracted to John Thomas’ teachings but he and Thomas quickly parted company.
Thomas was bitter and vituperative. Newell Bond addressed the issue in a letter
to Thomas dated October 29, 1866, pointing to Thomas’ “sarcasm and [the] sport made of
others who have believed and obeyed the same Gospel.” Such “go not very far
with candid, thinking men as arguments in defense of the truth,” Bond wrote.
Thomas’ reply was that Wilson was “of that class I am commanded to avoid.” He
called Wilson a “rabid politician” and one of “the world’s own.” “I
repudiate in toto the idea of such having like precious faith with the
Apostles.” Thomas did not see Wilson as a Christadelphian. Wilson repudiated the association. Not at all ashamed of his
repeated ad hominem attacks, Thomas published the letters for all to
read.[1]
[1] N.
Bond and J. Thomas: Important Correspondence Between a Member of the
Self-Styled “Church of God,” Cleveland, Ohio, and John Thomas, M. D., Christadelphian
Association, Detroit, Michigan, 1867. Wilson repudiated Christadelphian connections in an
interview with J. Bohnet published in the April 4, 1916, issue of The Saint Paul, Minnesota, Enterprise.
A recent comment on a review of Separate Identity has queried the statement in that book that Benjamin Wilson of the Diaglott was NOT a Christadelphian. In the April 4, 1916 issue of the St Paul Enterprise newspaper, on the front page, Bible Student J Adam Bohnet described one of several visits he made on Wilson, where the question was asked outright - are you a Christadelphian? Wilson replied that he was not a member of any organized religion. His whole background as one of the strands in the Church of God/One Faith movement was against organization and long before this interview he had accused the Christadelphians and Thomas of being sectarian. (For details see Biographical Encyclopedia Chronicling the History of the Church of God Abrahamic Faith, page 293).
The article from the St Paul Enterprise is posted below. I have omitted the middle section which is mainly a theological debate on Wilson's and CTR's differing views on the ransom.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
A little more ... also temporary
Signs in the Heavens
Pretend and real heavenly events
panicked those who looked for signs in the sun, moon and stars. On September 6, 1881, the skies over New England, Vermont and New Hampshire – over two hundred thousand square miles – turned
yellow. The cause was uncertain, though probably a forest fire in the wilds of Northern Canada. This was startling event. Yellow haze hung in the
upper atmosphere undisturbed by a steady breeze. In some areas the haze reached
the ground. Schools were dismissed and workers sent home or work proceeded
under candle light. Chickens roosted, night insects chirped, birds slept. While
some saw it as an interesting phenomenon needing a good, scientific
explanation, many panicked. The Friends Intelligencer said: “Among those
who apprehended that the weird prophecies of the seers of Israel concerning the earth’s destruction are to find
literal fulfillment in our day there was general apprehension that the last day
of the human race had come.”[1]
The rest of this post has been deleted.