If you have this, we'd like a scan

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bibelforscher-und-Bibelforschung-uber-das-Weltende-Funf-Vortrage-uber-die-sog-/332107751056?hash=item4d532a1e90:g:hfMAAOSw5cNYjmjL

Very, VERY temporary post

I'm posting this for helpful comments. We like the 'well done' comments, and do make them. But we want to further this research with additional information. Can you contribute to our understanding?

Usual rules. Copy for own use. DO NOT SHARE IT. Remember, this is developing research and may change.

Foreign Language Fields Within the United States

In late 1882, a reader requested a German language tract “setting forth the glad tidings.” Notice of it appeared in the December Watch Tower. Russell called for “a German brother with the necessary ability” to translate the October 1882 issue, a missionary issue, into that language. He also remarked that “a Swedish translation is also much called for. ... Here is a place in the harvest field for someone.”[1] Financial problems delayed the work in both languages. Russell explained:

The Fund is in debt over $2,500, and of course no further work can be undertaken by the Fund until this debt is paid. We regret this exceedingly, and partly because in our last issue we held out a hope to some, who have long desired it, that we would soon issue the October Tower in German and in Swedish.

The remainder of this post was deleted.

1881

The earliest reference to Watch Tower adherents in Germany appears in a New York City newspaper in 1881, four years before von Zech started writing to family and friends in Germany. We have no further information. I'm at a loss. I do not know how to follow this trail. Do any of our European readers know something more? Are you ambitious enough to look?

Our thanks ...

Stellar contributions either in the comments sections or through posts. Specific thanks to:

Stéphane. One of her comments went to spam. I dug it out and posted it today. Sorry for the delay. Your work is appreciated.

Franco. Franco sends us interesting things. You see them in blog posts. More to come. Thanks, Franco.

Paul. Thanks for the links to German language material.

A New Year postcard

from Franco

Postcard dated November 10, 1911 sent by the brothers of San Germano Chisone (Italy) on the occasion of the new year.

Recipient: Adolphe Weber, Les Convers (La Chaux-de-Fonds) Suisse

The postcard reads:

San Germano 1 ° -1 ° -1912
Love from all of us Clara Cerulli, A.Cerulli.
Joyful year your sister Fanny [widow of Lugli Balmas]
Loving greetings from your brother Remigio [Cuminetti]
Good year Amelie Soulier, Cesarine Bounous
Receive a warm greeting from your brother F.S. (François Soulier)
Blanc Lorenzo
Malanot Marie
Bounous Henriette
(written vertically) B. Magdelaine
Albertine Lantaret

Colossians III

Asking for the moon:

We know that Otto von Zech wrote to his relatives in Germany, sending them tracts and writing persuasive letters. These probably do not exist, and if they do, I have no clue how to locate Zech family letters.

Any of our German readers want to pursue this?

Postcard from F H Robison to A Weber

Supplied by Franco

(the correct spelling is Robison)

This postcard dated 11 April 1912 was written in German by Brother Robison to Brother Weber during a return trip to America after a tour in Europe.

"Lieber Bruder Weber: grüsse aus Irland. Die Reise des Comitees ist jetzt heimwärts gerichtet. Bald sind wir da. Deiner in Christo J.H.Robinson"

Translation:

Dear Brother Weber, greetings from Ireland, the journey of the Committee is now directed homeward, and soon we will be there, Yours in Christ, F H Robison.

(Editorial note: this was the return journey from the tour made by C T Russell and others investigating foreign missions. See Watch Tower for April 15, 1912)

Work in the UK - VERY temporary post

We've returned to this while we wait on documents to arrive. Minor changes and updates. Usual rules. Do not share it. Copy for your own use. Realize it may change. Do not post elsewhere. It will not be up long. Some comments would be good. You can do that, right?

This post deleted.

1912 with Dust Jacket. Unusual

Not a WT publication: See comment trail ....

We would like to have ....

We would like to have these, but, alas, can't afford them ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Das-Sektenwesen-unter-besonderer-Berucksichtigung-der-ernsten-Bibelforscher-Ent-/332090515882?hash=item4d522321aa:g:If8AAOSwo4pYd~dG#shpCntId

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Die-ernsten-Bibelforscher-entlarvt-durch-Dr-med-Rudolf-Fisch-Neue-Bearbeitun-/302200930276?hash=item465c943fe4:g:WK8AAOSw4DJYgR51

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Die-Internationale-Vereinigung-Ernster-Bibelforscher-Loofs-Friedrich-/371849669966?hash=item5693f7ad4e:g:~TcAAOSw5cNYiprI

If you have them, a scan would be nice.

We need

There are several German language anti-Russell and anti-Bible Student booklets, mostly from the 1920s. We need any from before 1910. Do you know of any?

Posting this for Dr. Schulz

We read a large amount of commentary on Witness and Bible Student history. Many of those who write about these groups lack understanding of evidentiary value.

            The best evidence is contemporary to the events. But not all contemporary documents have the same value. For instance, there are many contemporary comments on the election of J. F. Rutherford and the expulsion of dissenting directors. That many writers say the same thing does not mean that each is of the same quality. Some simply repeat what they heard or read. None of this is evidence at all. It is gossip. Gossip might be noted by a historian, but it is not evidence. An ethical historian will prune the evidence down to first hand observations. Of these, those that have a point of view become suspect. Why did they say what they said? is an important question. In a controversy, you will find differing points of view. A historian must balance what is said against motive.

            Contemporary newspapers are first hand material, but they’re subject to point of view and motive. Nineteenth century papers are notoriously full of lies and fakery. Never take a newspaper article at face value. Ask if it rationally represents events as other testimony represents it.

            Original letters and diaries are excellent evidence. But does the content defend someone? Why? Is the defense rational? Does it support other evidence?

            Best evidence, aside from being contemporary, has verifiable detail. Suspect documents that lack detail.

            Secondary evidence is only important because it gives an overview of current views of the subject. It is not an important contribution to the historic narrative. If one relies on it, he is probably gravely misled.

            In this subject area books by Gruss and others become irrelevant. They are secondary, even tertiary sources. Citing them usually does not further quality research.

            Assess each evidentiary document using these criteria: 1. Is it contemporary? 2. Is it by a participant? What is their point of view? Why do they approach the matter as they do?

            I hope this helps some of our email correspondents.  

An Italian postcard

from Franco

From the 1982 Yearbook pages 129-130

“Now let us go back to the end of World War 1. Shortly after 1918, Brother Marcello Martinelli, who had come to a knowledge of the truth in the United States, returned to Italy. He was a native of Valtellina, one of the beautiful valleys in the Rhaetian Alps leading down to Lake Como, and he covered this territory a number of times with the Kingdom message. In 1923 he became a "colporteur," and joined Brother Remigio Cuminetti in the Pinerolo area.”

In 1923 the two men sent a postcard to Fanny Balmas.

Fanny Balmas was the widow of Lugli Balmas, who lived at San Germano, Chisone, Gondini fraction (see 1982 Yearbook page 119). The postcard (reproduced below) is dated August 21, 1923.

Translation:

Susa, Tuesday, August 21 (1923)

Our beloved sister in the Lord

That His kindness will always be increased. We came here last night after a very good trip 70 Km.We are discreetly housed. Today we will try ground.  May the Lord assist us with his grace and blessing for the great merits of the Redeemer, and bless both those who  are dear to us and who fight with us in spirit.

The address is: Trattoria degli Alpini Susa Turin.

Greetings and kisses from your dear Marcello (Martinelli) and humble brother Remigio (Cuminetti).

Psalm 121

French tracts

from Franco

L'ETUDIANT DE LA BIBLE for November 1915 (The Bible Students Monthly in French)

LE JOURNAL POUR TOUS for October 29, 1916 (Everybody's Paper in French)

Editorial note: it is interesting to see that while the title Everybody's Paper was generally phased out in America in 1913, the title was still being used in France in this 1916 issue advertising The Photodrama of Creation.

Can we attach this to Zion's Watch Tower.

It is unlikely because of the date, but it is not impossible. Anyone want to pursue this research?

 

Chater was a Brethren writer. There is no ZWT connection.

This one is slightly more possible. Can we say definitely one way or the other if this was connected to Zion's Watch Tower: 

Hucklesby was also a Brethren Preacher. No Watch Tower connection.

Chart Talks

We need to know the date of the earliest Chart Talks in the UK. Anyone?

We need someone who subscribes to this: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/account/subscribe to search "Zion's Watch Tower" for advertisements appearing in Sheffield newspapers in 1881 for boys to circulate tracts. Anyone?

Recent Visitor Map - Pleasing. But where are the comments?

On Rachael's Personal Blog

You may be interested in a photo on Rachael's personal blog:

http://wardancingpixie.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-perils-of-research.html

French Millennial Dawn

This is the first edition of Divine Plan of the Ages in French. Released in 1897, both hard cover and soft cover.

With grateful thanks to Franco.

Never ever ...

Never underestimate the importance of what may seem merely interesting, even trivial. One of the recent letters posted here changed a paragraph in a key chapter for volume 2. The change is only by two sentences, but we may add more later.

Send us your stuff. We usually post it. Thanks to everyone who has sent material recently.

And thanks to the person who pointed us  to some letters from the 1930s. We can't use those now, but assuming we don't die before we get that far, they will be important later.

Can you translate this? [click image to view entire]

Can we date this post card?