Was Charles Taze Russell A Drug User, Drug Abuser, or Even An Addict?

by West70 27 Replies latest watchtower scandals

• 

  gumby

  What are the odds that a narcotics using or possibly even addicted religious guru in the 1800s was able to function without having his thoughts and decisions affected by his secret demon?

  It doesn't make a damn bit of differece what Russell was. If Russell had been like Ghandi with absolutely no dirt on him, a truthful loving man who only meant good with a solid record of morality........would it change what the Organisation IS today? Would it validate the things he taught then?

  It's still a damn mind controlling cult no matter how you slice it's begginings.

  Gumby
• 

  stev

  West70 writes:

  FACT: He diagnosed minor health problems and acted as drug dispenser for his ow family and other relatives. It is a reasonable assumption then, that Russell did the same for himself, which means that he self-medicated with painkillers his entire adult life.

  Here is where you are making an assumption.

  Steve
• 

  West70

  Stev:
  
  I believe you forgot to color red the word "reasonable" in your quotation of my post.
  
  If you choose to believe that Russell dispense medication to everyone in his family but himself, then go for it.
  
  If you choose to believe that Russell did not take painkillers during the 50 years of the quality and quantity of pain his cult followers would have us believe any of time (other than when discussing possible use of narcotics), then be my guest.
  
  Noone really expects to turn up a previously unknown Charles Taze Russell writings which ChuckieCheese has prefaced:
  
  "I wrote this while stoned out of my mind on codiene (or heroin, or cocaine)."
• 

  West70

  The "fall" which led to Russell's lifetime of "sick headaches" and probable use of narcotics is interesting for some other reasons also.
  
  This "fall" allegedly happened around 1866 when Russell lost his faith in Christianity and began studying the "Eastern religions". Maybe Russell was also studying the soothing benefits of "hashish" with a local Eastern guru???
  
  Also, which OTHER CULT was it that got started in the late 1800s when its founder fell and hit his head? The guy was from Madisonville, Kentucky but I can't recall his name or the cult???
• 

  chrissy

  sure. i could see old chuckles strung out on some oxycodone.
• 

  stev

  The quote below comes from the Dec. 1, 1916 WT, and was spoken at the time of Russell's funeral. I find this testimony credible, and not supportive of the topic of this thread. First, it was spoken shortly after Russell's death, so is a contemporary account. It is spoken by a doctor that treated Russell. The doctor acknowledges that Russell had a peculiar ailment, which the doctor does not reveal, but must have known more about it if he treated it. He also acknowledges that Russell "suffered," was "very, very weak", "could hardly go on with his discourses for pain", and "was usually under stress and pain." Certainly this is told to invoke sympathy from the audience for Russell. However, it is also revealed that Russell failed for two years to take the medicine that the doctor prescribed. Russell's admission seems credible, because he is admitting that he failed to take the doctor's prescription, and subjecting himself to the criticism of the doctor for not taking care of his health. The doctor's admission of this failing is also credible, for some in the audience might also fault Russell for not taking the medicine. That Russell failed to take the medicine available to him for two years, and had a "grin and bear it" attitude seems credible, and would not support the allegation made on this thread.

  Steve

  ::R6010 : page 372:: RENEWAL OF CONSECRATION DAILY BY DR. E.A. McCOSH--DETROIT I esteem it an honor to be here on this occasion. I wish to convey to you from the Detroit Church their greeting and their desire to let you know that they will be loyal to the memory of our dear Pastor. It was my privilege to know our dear Brother personally; and I wish to state one thing with regard to him that possibly not all know. For years he suffered with a peculiar ailment, which rendered him very, very weak at times; and he could hardly go on with his discourses for pain. We can better appreciate the wonderful character of our beloved Pastor when we know that he was usually under stress and pain. I prescribed for him at one time; but when two years after, I asked him if he had taken the medicine, he remarked, "Dear Brother, I have not had time."
• 

  stev

  The quote below comes from the book "The Laodicean Messenger", a tribute to Russell. It confirms that he indeed did suffer from physical complications for more than 40 years, yet he claimed to have only spent one day in bed due to sickness. However by 1913, he collapsed, his heart stopped for several seconds, and had to be revived. The doctors were astonished at his "worn out" physical condition. Although it would probably not be expected here, it should be noted that there is no mention of any medications or drugs.
  

  Steve

  ==================================================================

  Enduring Monument

  CHAPTER XXVI-PASTOR RUSSELL IS DEAD!

  EARTHLY TABERNACLE WORN OUT

  LM243

  In the summer of 1912 Brother Russell made the statement at the Bethel table that during the forty years just past he had been kept in bed but one day, as a result of sickness; then, after a moment’s pause, he corrected himself by saying it had been forty-five years; yet he had been a constant sufferer from physical complications for more than forty years, before he passed into glory. Futhermore, he said, that during all the years he had been traveling and preaching he had never missed a meeting through inability to serve, though frequently, he stated, it took all the strength he could command for him to get to the platform, but as he argued, it was his business to get upon the platform, if he could, then it was the Lord’s business to give him the strength to speak if he wished him to do so.

  In the Fall of 1913 he had made his usual trip to Europe, and there for the first time, he missed, not one, bur many appointments, through, or as a result of, physical collapse, and several of his appointments were filled by others. While in London his collapse was complete for a time. To such an extent was this true that it was told me by his traveling companion of that time, as stated by the specialist in charge, that his heart did not beat for five seconds. He was revived by the use of mechanical contrivances, known to the medical profession. A consultation

  LM244

  was then held by two of the most noted specialists of London. They pronounced his case the strangest they had ever known, or of which there was any record, saying, "The man’s body was worn out but his mind was clear and vigorous." Brother Russell did not like to have his personal affairs discussed amongst the friends, especially those relating to his physical condition, and for this reason such matters were kept very quiet; hence, these things here related were never mentioned to any one until after Pastor Russell’s death. But the body that was pronounced in 1913, by noted specialists, as "worn out," was forced to serve that "clear and vigorous mind" for three years thereafter. Few indeed knew the inside history of the life of the modest man of God, who literally laid down his life for the brethren.
• 

  Cygnus

  Morphine, cocaine and their derivatives were seen as miracle cures back then. Go to www.cocaine.org/forcedmarch.htm this narcotic wasn't discontinued until around 1920.

  Narcotic painkillers can give a person heightened awareness, energy, and ability to do things normally impossible. I know, I've taken my share of hydrocodone/norco. Even if CTR was a user, so what? So was Sherlock Holmes.
• 

  West70

  Note this excerpt from an article published in the December 1, 1899 Watch Tower magazine:

  "What do you think about the saints using opiates for pain, especially in a last illness? I have thought of it in connection with our Redeemer's refusal of the vinegar and myrrh. ...

  [REPLY.--We are glad, dear Sister, to note that your worldly surroundings do not ensnare your heart, but that on the contrary you fully maintain your love for the Lord and his way, the "narrow way." ... ...

  Respecting our final illness and opiates: I had not thought of our dear Master's example in refusing opiates. Personally I would incline to leave the matter in the hands of friends and trust to the Lord's providence respecting what they would do and prescribe at such a time,--praying that the Lord's will might be fully done even unto death. --EDITOR.]

  Note carefully how Charles Taze Russell finesses the question so that he only addresses "the use of opiates for pain" during a "final illness".

  The anonymous "Bible Student" who posed the question to Russell actually was asking about the GENERAL USE OF OPIATES as painkillers by the "saints". Assuming that Russell might publicly condemn the general use of opiate painkillers by the saints, the Bible Student then specifically asks about their use during a terminal situation.

  For those who would respond that Russell would never publish this "Letter" and its' question in the first place if Russell were an opiate user himself, then I suggest that Russell could not "afford" not to publish this "Letter".

  Why? Because it was written by Gertrude Seibert, who was a major financial contributor. Maybe she had "reasons" for wanting Russell to publicly comment on this issue?
• 

  West70

  In November 1916, Menta Sturgeon reported:

  "Brother Russell labored under a heavy handicap, inasmuch as three days out of nine he had severe headaches. Frequently he was forced to take Bromo Seltzer to enable him to give the public address and then afterwards suffer the consequences of its partaking. But without it he could not have given the talk at all. Yet he never complained, although often was he compelled to seclude himself and avoid the greeting of friends following this exertion. His suffering was intense and he could not endure having to meet God's people with a painful expression on his face; with a nearly breaking heart he wreathed his face in smiles. Only his most intimate associates knew how he suffered. Fortunately the noble brother was asleep within two minutes of the time his head touched the pillow at night, midnight usually being his retiring hour. Is it any wonder he died a score of years ahead of his natural time? His father looked younger at 84 than did the son at 64. In his lifetime Brother Russell has equalled the service of a man whose life reaches several hundred years. In other words, in actual experience, Brother Russell was several hundred years old.