Bible Students History

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A History of Charles Taze Russell and the Bible Students.
Below are links to many historical papers, some very rare made available for the first time in electronic form.
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PASTOR RUSSELL BIOGRAPHIES

History and biography of Charles Taze Russell

Biography of Pastor Russell - This treatise of Charles Taze Russell was published by the Watch Tower Society after his death in the front of certain printings of  the Studies in the Scriptures. - 1917

Criticisms of Pastor Russell and the International Bible Students Association Examined from a Scriptural Standpoint - August 1914

Great Battle in Ecclesiastical Heavens - 1915 - A Defense of Pastor Russell

In Defense of Pastor Russell  - 1915 - Reprinted articles from the St. Paul Enterprise, defending Pastor Russell.

In Memoriam - 1916 - St. Paul Enterprise articles regarding the death and burial, and memorial services of Pastor Russell 

Rich Young Man Whom Jesus Loved and Another Rich Young Man - 1916 - Memorial Address for  Pastor Charles Taze Russell, Delivered November 5, 1916

That Faithful and Wise Servant - A treatise on Pastor Russell as "That Servant" of Matthew 24:45

Where Else But Pittsburgh - 1958 - Chapter 4 of George Swetnam book on Pastor Russell and his  contributions to Pittsburgh history.

 

GENERAL BIBLE STUDENT HISTORY

Bible Students History Fragments  - Fragments of history coveringf the years 1917-1967

Bible Students in Australia - History of the Bible Students in Australia Britain

Bible Students in Britain - History of the Bible Students in Great Britain

Daughters of the Tower: A brief overview of the various groups who separated from the Watch Tower Society.

Harvest Highlights -1874-1916 timeline

Lest We forget: A history of the Bible Students, unlike other histories this one details lesser known events among the Bible Students AFTER the death of Pastor Russell.

Meet Our British Brethren - Robert Hollister reviews the highlights of his visit to the British brethren.

Memoirs of Thomas Stracy - These brief Memoirs of Thomas Stracy' experiences in the Lord’s work, starting in 1905.

Soldiers of the Cross: A history of Charles Taze Russell and IBSA

Stand Fast Bible Students - A True History

When Pastor Russell died: An historical overview of the Bible Students after the death of Pastor Russell as told by the Dawn Bible Students Association. (This is the first edition, as subsequent editions have been revised)

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"PRESIDENCY PAPERS"

These papers are related to the ongoing set of chrages, refutations and counter-charges from 1917 to 1919, concerning Watchtower management problems and the seventh volumes of Studies in the Scriptures.

Pastor Russell's Last Will and Testament: Pastor Russell's Last Will and Testament as published in the "The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence," of November 1916.

Harvest Siftings — August 1st, 1917 — A paper written by Joseph Franklin Rutherford in regards the events of what transpired earlier that year.

An Open Letter to Conventioners — August 4th, 1917 — A Convention handout in Boston, Massachusetts, claiming that "Harvest Siftings" were inaccurate.

Cook/Cox Correspondence — August 1917  — Correspondence between Watch Tower Pilrgim Br. Frank Cook, and a Br. Charles Cox, in regards the acceptance and or rejection of "The Finished Mystery".

Resolution Concerning "Harvest Siftings" — August 31st, 1917 — A resolution drawn up by the Los Angeles, California Ecclesia of Bible Students attempting to reconcile the Board of Directors and Judge Rutherford..

Light After Darkness — September 1st, 1917 — The four disposed members of the Board of Directors tell their side of the story.

Harvest Siftings II — October 1st, 1917 — Judge Rutherford's reply to the Boards "Light After Darkness".

Harvest Siftings Reviewed — November 1st, 1917 — Watch Tower Pilgrim's Paul S.L. Johnson's side of the story.

Facts For Shareholders of the WTB&TS — November 15th, 1917 — Instructions as to Rights, Privileges, Suggestions and Duties Pertaining to the Election of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society at Pittsburgh January 5th, 1918

Open Letter to the People of the Lord Throughout the World — November 21st, 1917 — A petition by several brethren at Brooklyn Bethel calling for an "Investigative Committee" to be formed to hear and judge charges made by both sides.

"Harvest Siftings Reviewed" itself reviewed — December 7th, 1917 — IBSA's London Branch managerJesse Hemery, tells his side of the story, denouncing Paul Johnson and supporting Judge Rutherford.

Why Brother and Sister F.A. Hall Have withdrawn from all connection with the W. T. B. & T. Society - 1918 - A testimony by a former Watch Tower pilgrim.

Another Harvest Siftings Reviewed [PDF] — August 22, 1918 — More details by Paul Johnson regarding the charges against him by Judge Rutherford.

Separations of the Harvest — December 30, 1918 — "A stenographic report of an address by R.O. Hadley delivered at the Vancouver, B.C. Stand Fast Bible Students Convention." Gives some information regarding the splits among the brethren.

"The Ship" Acts 27th Chapter — January 12, 1919 — "A Stenograpjic Report of an Address by Brother C.E. Heard, delivered at the Seattle, Washington Stand Fast Bible Students Convention on January 12, 1919." An interesting discourse on the separation within the Watch Tower Society.

Notes and Comments on "The Finished Mystery" — February 19th, 1919 — A 48 page booklet authored by Br. C.F. Main and published by the Bible Students Tract Society of Adelaide, Australia (Now the Berean Bible Institute) detailing the many errors and misrepresentations found in "The Finished Mystery." Contains personal correspondence from Watch Tower headquarters.

Desolations of the Sanctuary - 1930 - A description of the Tests of Faith and struggle of God’s People for Truth, with special regard to the present time .  

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WITNESS BULLETIN

The Witness Bulletin was a paper published by "Associated Bible Students" in 1931 and 1932. These papers contained articles answering and refuting the many false allegations of the Watchtower Society against the Bible Students.

Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 1 — October 1931 — "Honoring Jehovah's Name." A response to Judge Rutherfords claims in regards the name "Jehovah's Witnesses."

Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 2 — January 1932 — "All Sincere Proclaimers of the Truth invited to cooperate with Jehovah's Witnesses." A reply to the statements made in "The Golden Age" magazine of July 8th, 1931.

Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 3 — Summer 1932 — "Another Reunion Convention." Announcement of the Reunion Convention of Bible Students in Pittsburgh, PA, and attempts at regathering all Bible Students.

Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 4 — October 1932 — "The Press Still Pressing On." A response to the Watchtower and their authority to represent true Christians.

Witness Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 5 — July 1933 — "Failure to recognize God's Organization a fruitful cause of division among Christians." A candid discussion of a vital matter, in regards the Watchtower's claim that they are "God's visible Organization".

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MISCELLANY

Miscellaneous writings regarding Bible Student history

A Refutation of False Charles Against Bro. Johnson — October 1975 — An article appearing in "The Present Truth", a journal published by the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement founded by Paul S.L. Johnson, refuting the claims appearing in the 1975 Yearbook.

Food for Thinking Jehovah's Witnesses - A site for thinking Jehovah's Witnesses, examining the teachings, history and practices of the Watch Tower Society.