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Charles Taze Russell, (February 16, 1852 - October 31, 1916), better known as Pastor Russell, a Protestant minister following the example of Reformation leaders, was one of the most widely recognized and traveled ministers of the early 20th century. Russell founded one of the first Bible Societies in the United States, Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in 1881, as well as the People's Pulpit Association of New York in 1909, and the International Bible Students Association of London in 1914, a branch of which became the modern Jehovah's Witnesses. Russell founded the religious journal "Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence" in 1879. This journal continues to be published under the current name "The Watchtower".
Early Life
Charles was born the second son of Joseph and Ann Eliza (née Birney) Russell's children on Monday, February 16, 1852. His older brother, Thomas born in 1850 died at the tender age of five on September 4, 1855 from whooping cough. His sister, Margaret Land, (better known as "Mae") lived well into her 90s dying in the late 1940s. Another sister, Lucinda, born in Philadelphia in 1857 died only a year later. A brother, Joseph Jr., born in 1859 also died a year later. On January 25, 1861, Charles' mother died.
The Russell's lived for some time in Philadelphia as well as Allegheny (now incorporated into modern Pittsburgh) Pennsylvania, USA. Once established in Pittsburgh, the Russell's were respected members of the Presbyterian Church. As Charles grew into his early teens, his father made him partner of his haberdashery (men's clothing/tailoring) store named "The Old Quaker Shop" located on Federal Street in downtown Pittsburgh. At the age of twelve Charles was writing business contracts for customers, and given charge of some of his father's other clothing stores. During this same stage of his life, Charles decided to leave the Presbyterian Church and join the Congregational Church.
Due to his strong religious convictions, Charles had a habit of frequently writing Bible verses in chalk upon the sidewalks so that as people walked by they would be reminded to change their lifestyles, else suffer an eternity in Hell. At the age of sixteen, he was engaged in a lively debate with a childhood friend. The debate centered on the perceived contradictions of Christian creeds, and what was believed to be the hypocrisy both of organized Christianity and espoused Christians. The discussion succeeded in causing Charles to question whether the Bible was truly the word of God, and wonder whether Christianity was an empty faith. Not getting a satisfactory answer to his concerns led him to investigate the philosophies of the Far East - Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism.
In 1870, at the age of eighteen, he heard that a presentation was going to be given by the famous Adventist preacher, Jonas Wendell. (1815-1873) At the last minute he made the decision to attend this presentation simply to see if it offered anything new or reasonable about Christianity. After establishing his premise, Wendell went on to show that the scriptures also clearly indicated that Christ would physically return to earth in 1873/4. Because Wendell’s presentation focused on rational, logical factors, Charles left the presentation with what he later related was a renewed zeal that not only was the Bible the true word of God, but that all Christians – himself included – had a responsibility to preach the word.
The Beginnings of his Ministry
From the years 1870 through 1875 Charles, his father Joseph, and his sister Margaret, along with several other interested friends and associates, such as the respected scholars George Storrs, and George Stetson, were actively engaged in an analytical study of the Bible. These studies were focused on examining every point and detail of Christian doctrines, creeds and common traditions in order to determine their origin. Russell's group, and others nationwide, was concluding that there were significant errors in common Christian belief. Most of these study groups and scholars were unaware others were doing the same as they were. As a result of their detailed study of the Bible, the Russell family believed they had gained a new and clearer understanding that a Christian is called to lay down their earthly life in sacrifice and service to God. All three renewed their 'consecration' to God and were re-baptized in 1874.
In the early Spring of 1876, after having been in Philadelphia for an extended business trip, Charles came upon a copy of the magazine "Herald of the Morning" published out of Rochester New York by Nelson H. Barbour. (1824-1908) Not having been previously aware of other Bible study groups akin to his, the 24 year-old Russell contacted 52 year-old Barbour and set up a meeting in Philadelphia to discuss views, and compare notes. At this point Barbour, and eventually his associates John Paton and B.W. Keith, pointed out that there were other groups worldwide coming to the same conclusions. Additionally, Barbour introduced him to some new views that quickly convinced him the Rapture of the saints would occur in April, 1878, and that the world was presently in the foretold "harvest" of the end of the age spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 13. This "harvest" was to last for three-and-a-half years. Barbour also pointed out that many former Adventists, still remembering the disappointment of 1844, were beginning to lose their faith in the scriptures because certain expectations for the year 1874 had not materialized. Both men agreed that they needed to do something, and do it quickly. Barbour remained in Rochester. Charles immediately, and in great haste, sold out his five clothing stores and all his other business interests to the tune of approximately $300,000 dollars. (the same buying power as $5.5 million in the year 2005) He did this in order to devote his life to what he now believed were the last two years before the return of Jesus Christ, and the Rapture of the saints from earth. Because Barbour was low on funds, some of this money was sent to Barbour to help finance his ministry. Russell encouraged Barbour to write a coherent outline of their current views. This took the form of the book "Three Worlds; or Plan of Redemption" published in 1877. A booklet entitled "The Object and Manner of our Lord's Return" was also published through the offices of the Herald. It was a text that Charles had begun writing soon after his re-baptism in 1874. Russell called two separate meetings of every minister, pastor and clergyman of the city to present to them his ideas that the creeds and traditions had corrupted Christianity, and that the scriptures showed clearly the time of the "harvest" had now come, the Rapture was near at hand, and that they all had a responsibility before God to preach this to their members. Although the meeting inspired great interest, not a single man was convinced by Russell's presentations either time.
When the Spring of 1878 came and went without any Rapture occurring, Charles followed the same course as his Bible study group in years past – he examined the foundation of the belief to see if it was Bible-based, or simply a Christian tradition. He concluded that the common view was not supported by scripture, and sought to replace what he considered to be the 'mistaken belief' with what he believed was a more accurate representation of the scriptures. Barbour, however, was intensely embarrassed by the failure of their expectations. His embarrassment and frustration lead to a recanting of some of the views he and Russell had previously shared. Initially, this was illustrated by pointed, but respectful, arguments and counter-arguments in articles appearing in the Herald with Barbour on one side, and Paton and Russell on the other. Eventually, the older Barbour felt he was being disrespected by the younger Russell, while Russell felt Barbour was denying an important aspect of the Ransom provided by Christ. All of these things resulted in a split between them; Russell removed his financial support of both Barbour and the Herald, and started his own periodical entitled "Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence" with the first issue dated July, 1879. Barbour distanced himself and formed "The Church of the Strangers". From this point onward, Russell firmly believed he had a special calling to preach the Gospel worldwide.
Life and Ministry
In the same year, on March 13, 1879, Charles married Maria Ackley, a member of the Pittsburgh Bible study group. They had known each other for only a few months. Although intensely fond of each other, their marriage was not based upon romantic love, but was a convenient mutually agreed upon celibate partnership where both agreed to spend their lives together serving God and preaching the Gospel. This arrangement eventually fell apart, causing Charles great distress, and became grist for the mill to many of his critics.
In 1881 "Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society" was founded with the purpose of disseminating tracts, papers, doctrinal treatises and Bibles, and was officially chartered in 1884. From this point onward, Russell's ministry grew by leaps and bounds. His Bible study group had grown to over 200 local members who annually elected him "Pastor". Other congregations followed this habit throughout the United States, Europe,Australia. He devoted nearly a tenth of his fortune in publishing and distributing his first major publication, entitled "Food for Thinking Christians" in 1881. In that same year he also wrote and distributed, "Tabernacle and its Teachings", and "Tabernacle Shadows of the Better Sacrifices". In “Food for Thinking Christians”, In 1886, following a financial set-back due to the immense amount of money spent in printing and distributing the first three publications, he was finally able to publish the long-promised first volume of what was planned to be a seven-volume set. The first volume was originally entitled "The Plan of the Ages", later renamed "The Divine Plan of the Ages".
The remaining volumes of the series, originally called "Millennial Dawn" but later renamed to "Studies in the Scriptures" in order to clarify that they were books about the Bible, and not novels, are:
- The Time is at Hand (1889)
- Thy Kingdom Come (1891)
- The Day of Vengeance/The Battle of Armageddon (1897)
- The At-one-ment Between God and Men (1899)
- The New Creation (1904)
A seventh volume, entitled 'The Finished Mystery' was published in 1917, and called the 'posthumous work' of Pastor Russell. It was a detailed interpretation of the books of Revelation, Ezekiel, and the Song of Solomon. Great controversy surrounded the publishing of this book. It was later established that it was actually written and compiled by two former associates of Pastor Russell, Clayton Woodworth and George Fisher, and edited by Joseph Rutherford, the second president of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society.
In 1903, newspapers began printing sermons written by Pastor Russell. These newspaper sermons were syndicated all over the world and eventually reached an estimated readership of 15,000,000 people in the United States alone. By this time, Pastor Russell was one of the most recognizable ministers in the world.
Russell had many critics. He was labeled a heretic, and eventually the separation from his wife was used to attack his morality, integrity, and convictions. The criticisms he faced were a significant part of his place in Christian history. Those interested in researching or reading about them directly may go here.
Death and Aftermath
During his return from a successful ministerial tour of the western and southwestern United States, the already ill Pastor Russell suffered an episode of severely painful cystitis. Aware of the seriousness of his condition, and accompanied by colleagues, he was able to set his affairs in order before dying on the night of October 31 1916 in a train car as it approached Pampa, Texas. His death was a major front-page headline in Associated Press subscribing newspapers across the globe .
Russell left an outline in his will instructing that an Editorial Committee of five was to determine the contents of The Watch Tower magazine following his death. He had also indicated that he had enough unpublished manuscripts to keep the magazine going for quite some time. However, controversy erupted when interpreting parts of his Will that dealt with this, and whether or not any newly written content could be published following his death.
In early 1917 Joseph Rutherford was elected the second president of The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society. Not every "Bible Student" was supportive of the new president because of his new managerial methods, new publications, and new doctrinal interpretations. As a result, many congregations split between those highly supportive and loyal to Joseph Rutherford, and those who were greatly opposed to his changes. Those who stood by him believed that a new and better understanding of the Scriptures, as well as important prophetic events, was now due. Because of these disputes, nearly 75% of the membership broke off into several confused split-groups through to the year 1931, but most of those individuals remained isolated. In 1931 those supportive of the Watchtower Society, and overjoyed by the phenomenal increasing numbers of new members, adopted the new name Jehovah's Witnesses, taken from Isaiah 43:10. They continue to have yearly growth in membership, now numbering nearly seven-million members worldwide, and are famous for their door-to-door ministry. After several years of confusion, those who supported and respected Russell's spiritual views eventually reorganized through the 1920s-'50s, while successfully attempting to regather those isolated individuals who broke away. They were well know for the famous "Frank and Earnest" radio program, broadcast nationwide, and began to grow in numbers from that point on. They have still maintained the name Bible Students, and now number about 10,000 worldwide. They continue to publish the six-volumes of "Studies in the Scriptures", the first thirty-seven years of the "Watch Tower", as well as numerous religious journals, and pamphlets. Bible Students believe, for Scriptural reasons, that their numbers are to increasingly decline.
Personal Beliefs
Following a close, analytical examination of the Bible, the creeds and centuries old Christian traditions were, in the view of Pastor Russell and other Bible Students, considered to be harmful errors, and it was believed that they had restored and returned Christian doctrine to that held in the first century. Such views and conclusions were viewed as heresy by many Church leaders and scholars. Yet, many Protestant groups have, in the years following Russell's death, formed around, or adopted one, some, or nearly all of his views in one way or another. A detailed summary of his doctrinal position, as well as his view of history may be found at this link.
The effect of Pastor Russell's studies and ministry can be seen in the change of doctrine throughout Protestantism since the early 20th century. This is partially illustrated by the existence of over a dozen religious groups espousing the ideas and ideals of Pastor Russell, either in whole or in part. (groups such as the International Bible Students; the Pastoral Bible Institute; Layman's Home Missionary Movement; Jehovah's Witnesses; The Worldwide Church of God, the Concordant Publishing Concern, the Assemblies of Yahweh, and several others) Even the Anglican Church has altered their view of Hell.
External Links
- Pastor-Russell.com - Official CT Russell Website
- Watchtower.org - Official website of Jehovah's Witnesses
- Columbus, Ohio Bible Students
- Chicago, Illinois Bible Students
- North Seattle, Washington Bible Students
- New Jersey, Bible Students Congregation of New Brunswick