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 -
(1917) - This Biography may be found in later editions of The
Divine Plan of the Ages, also known as Volume 1 of Studies in the Scriptures. It first
appeared in a longer form in the December 1, 1916 Watchtower. This version, however, is
the most common and most often cited in research papers .
In Memoriam - (1916) - St. Paul Enterprise articles
regarding the death and burial, and memorial services of Pastor Russell.
Life of Pastor Russell -
(1916) - a biography that appeared in the Overland Monthly by E.D. Stewart
Rich Young Man Whom Jesus
Loved and Another Rich Young Man - (1916) - Memorial Address for Pastor Charles
Taze Russell, Delivered November 5, 1916
The Faithful and Wise
Steward - A treatise on Pastor Russell as "That Servant" of Matthew 24:45
The Laodicean Messenger
- (1923) - Being the MEMOIRS of the Life, Works and Character of "That
Faithful and Wise Servant" of the Most High God;
Pastor Charles Taze Russell.
Where Else But Pittsburgh -
(1958) - Chapter 4 of George Swetnam book on Pastor Russell and his contributions to
Pittsburgh history.
The Works of C.T. Russell
and Their Effects on Religion in America - This treatise was in recognition of the
need to clarify the origins of the Truth movement, and to correct the Jehovah's Witnesses'
erroneous claim to the Pastor as their founder with all that is implied of wrong doctrine
and practices.
GENERAL BIBLE STUDENT HISTORY
Bible Students: Early Christian
Advocates of Zionism - Pastor Russell, BIble Students and the Jewish People.
Bible Students History Fragments
- Fragments of history from 1917 to the present
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.
Short History of the Bible Students
- A treatise by Chester Sundbom
Soldiers of the Cross: A
history of Charles Taze Russell and IBSA
Stand Fast Bible Students - A History of the
"seventh volume" movement
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 altered)
"PRESIDENCY PAPERS"
These papers are related to the ongoing
set of charges, refutations and counter-charges from 1917 to 1919, concerning Watchtower
management problems and the seventh volume 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 .
WITNESS BULLETIN
The Witness Bulletin was a a large paper published by
"Associated Bible Students" between 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".
ADVENTIST HISTORY
Where it all began, history and biography
of
William Miller and the Advent Christian Movement
William Miller
and the Early Phases of the Advent Movement -- Address delivered at the biennial
meeting of the Advent Christian General Conference, June 26, 1932, Campground,
Plainville, Connecticut by Orrin Roe Jenks
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 of Jehovah's Witnesses"
Food for Thinking
Jehovah's Witnesses - A site for thinking Jehovah's Witnesses, examining the
teachings, history and practices of the Watch Tower Society.
APOLOGETICS
Below are responses to the many attacks
against the teachings
and character of Pastor Charles Taze Russell.
An Answer to Dr.
Gray - A Consideration of Every Point in His Recent Attack on Pastor
Russell, Proving His Perversion of the Truth Throughout His Attack
Criticisms of Pastor Russell
and the International Bible Students Association - (1914) - Examined from a
Scriptural Standpoint.
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.
This page Last updated May 2011
