by Bryan 11 Replies latest jw friends
Is there any difference between the printed years (different editions) for the Studies in the Scriptures series, other than the covers? And to me it looks like Rutherford was the one who put the Winged Globe on the cover, is that correct?
Thanks,
Bryan
There is something out on the internet on the revisions in the Studies in the Scriptures from ediition to edition. I can't find it right now but someone else may have it.
Blondie
Love the avitar Blondie!
http://www.spotlightministries.org.uk/changedhistory.htm
"That the deliverance of the saints must take place some time before 1914 is manifest...Just how long before 1914 the last living members of the body of Christ will be glorified, we are not directly informed;" (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 3, p. 228).
"That the deliverance of the saints must take place very soon after 1914 is manifest... Just how long after 1914 the last living members of the body of Christ will be glorified, we are not directly informed;" (Ibid., 1923 ed.)
"This calculation shows A.D. 1874 as marking the beginning of the period of trouble; for 1542 years B.C. plus 1874 years A.D. equals 3416 years. Thus the Pyramid witnesses that the close of 1874 was the chronological beginning of the time of trouble..." (Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 3, p. 342, 1889 ed.)
"This calculation shows A.D. 1915 as marking the beginning of the period of trouble; for 1542 years B.C. plus 1915 years A.D. equals 3457 years. Thus the Pyramid witnesses that the close of 1914 will be the beginning of the time of trouble..." (Ibid., 1905 ed.)
"Also, in the year 1918, when God destroys the churches wholesale and the church members by millions..." (The Finished Mystery, 1917 ed.).
"Also, in the year 1918, when God begins to destroys the churches and the church members by millions..." (Ibid., 1926 ed.)
Don't know if this will help Bryan.
Gumby
Blondie good post. The Society has from the very beginning changed from edition to edition trying to hide their past. It always seems to come back to haunt them.
Russell lists some of the changes in the March 1915 Watchtower:
http://www.heraldmag.org/olb/bsl/Library/Russell/Towers/Zwt1915/WTMar15.PDF
in a section entitled: "Changes in Scriptures Studies." He also gives his reasons for the changes which, obviously had to be made.
Revisionism is part of the genetic code of the Second Advent movement since the days of William Miller. After all, the basic concept iself COULDN'T be flawed, could it? Let's adjust it here, tweak it there, flex it a bit here: it's like building a house with a load of twisted and warped lumber - every piece has to be forced into position, with the reslut that the intenal strains on the resulting structure make it a ticking timebomb of self-destruction.
The WTS has practiced revisionism, taking it to the form of high art, but their cousins the Bible Students have proven to be no slackers in the art themselves, as discussed here:
http://members.cox.net/mpawlicki/omahabiblestudents/history_of_bible_students.htm
It says:
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BIBLE STUDENT MOVEMENT AFTER PASTOR RUSSELL’S DEATH The following resulted from an inquiry by one newly interested in the Truth about the history of the Bible Students and the Truth movement. This brief review attempts to relate experiences of Bible Students after Pastor Russell’s death as factually as possible. It is purposely brief, but hopefully it includes historical events that help explain present conditions amongst Bible Students. Its viewpoint and comments reflect the writer’s own experiences, readings and accounts told to him by older Bible Students. The writer began his consecrated life in 1948 at the age of 17 meeting with a Dawn class in Seattle, Washington, and remained there for over twenty years until changing conditions caused a division. Understandably, some would rather forget painful past experiences, but, hopefully, reflecting upon the past and its lessons will help some avoid repeating them in the future.
During Pastor Russell’s lifetime, he founded the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and other business entities to further the work of proclaiming “Present Truth” to the world, particularly, the Christian world.
When Pastor Russell died on October 31, 1916, the First World War in the history of mankind was in full progress. The war that was expected to last two or three months was now in its third year with no end in sight. The amazingly insightful predictions of Pastor Russell were painfully fulfilled in the angry, patriotic, senseless wounding and slaughter of millions of Christian youths in their prime of life. God’s vengeance was executed upon the professedly Christian nations of Europe to avenge the spilled blood of the true church down through the Gospel Age. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Rom 12:19) Their blind anger brought it upon themselves.
One of the board members, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, was a lawyer who was active in politics before coming into the Truth. Before Pastor Russell’s death, the Pastor had dismissed Rutherford from Bethel and provided him funds for a new start in California. When Pastor Russell died, Rutherford was working as a floorwalker in a department store. Upon hearing of the Pastor’s death, he telegraphed Bethel and told them to hold everything until he arrived. At the time of his death, Pastor Russell was in process of making several changes in the Bethel family, and evidently had not yet updated the members of the board of directors. Since he no longer wanted Rutherford at Bethel, it is doubtful that he wanted him on the board of directors in event of his death.
Bible Students left the Society by the thousands. It was no longer the organization they had known under Pastor Russell. They recognized the noble, holy, spirit of Christ in Pastor Russell, but the new head was an entirely different type of leader: a scheming, cunning man with a dictatorial spirit. The first book Rutherford published after Pastor Russell’s death, “The Finished Mystery”, was a very different kind of book than Pastor Russell’s “Studies in the Scriptures.” One doesn’t find the spirit of Pastor Russell in the “The Finished Mystery,” nor does one find the spirit of the “Finished Mystery” in Pastor Russell’s writings. Some perceived the difference, and some did not.
After Pastor Russell died, the Bible Student movement divided roughly in two in the years 1917 to 1918: half stayed with the Society, now called the “Channel”, with Rutherford at its head, while the other half, who opposed Rutherford, showed their opposition by leaving. The dissenters went several different directions as they refused to be associated with an organization dominated by a man of such questionable character as “Judge” Rutherford. By 1930-32, about 75% had left of their own accord, or had been forced out by Rutherford, who tolerated no opposition of any kind.
The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and its other legal entities became the sole domain of Rutherford until his death, January 8, 1942. At a convention in Columbus, Ohio, July 24-30, 1931, Rutherford renamed the Society the “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” While we may show compassion towards those deceived by him, we can no longer think of the Society after Rutherford took over, as the Society that Pastor Russell founded. Under its new autocratic head, it had become the enemy of sincere, truth seeking, thinking Bible Students, whatever other good it might have done. For Bible Students eager to witness to the Truth in our day, the stigma of the Jehovah’s Witnesses still attaches to us in the public mind and hinders every effort to represent God’s present Truth to the world.
While we leave a detailed history of the Jehovah’s Witnesses to others, we note their numerous departures from the Truth and its spirit.
Note the sharp contrast between the Society’s financial operation under Pastor Russell and under Judge Rutherford. Under Pastor Russell’s administration, the Society received voluntary donations and used these to finance the witness work, giving away free tracts and selling books at cost or slightly above. Under Rutherford, the Society was organized as a large printing operation to cheaply print books and sell them for a handsome profit. The Society was no longer solely dependant upon contributions from supporters, as in the past. It now generated funds from a well-organized and profitable book selling operation. Labor costs were almost non-existent, since brethren volunteered their time and labor for subsistence compensation. This change funded Rutherford’s ambitious expansion plans, and freed the Society from money worries.
Some simply decided to stay home and study by themselves. Those with forceful, leadership type personalities, described by one sister as “he goats,” decided to form new associations to serve the brethren, witness to the truth, and draw followers after them. Various theories about times, seasons and dates evolved to answer the big question? Why is the church still here after 1914? What do we do now? There was much competition for the minds and support of the brethren
About 1922 a fairly large number (about 300?) of “Stand Fast” brethren formed a commune in Sooke, British Columbia near Victoria. It lasted for several years before breaking up. They anticipated the end of the church class on Earth and the Ancient Worthies resurrected in 1925, as did the Judge, who built a house for them in San Diego, California. Those consecrated before 1918 were waiting for their change. Of those consecrated after 1918, some looked forward the earthly Kingdom, while others still claimed the heavenly promises. Many in this movement later associated themselves with the Dawn movement.
About 1930, some brethren in the New York area, no longer associated with the Society, decided to attempt a radio witness. These were active, work-oriented brethren who enjoyed the witness work and were good at it. Some had been involved in the Photo Drama and colporteur work in Brother Russell’s day. They were eager to carry on witness activity outside of the Society.
The beautiful Jubilee year type, a type of Restitution, was modified so that it no longer supported the chronology of our Lord’s Second Presence, and no longer typed the 1,000 year Restitution work beginning in 1874. Instead, the anti-type of Israel’s Jubilee was moved to the end of the Millennial Age after the restitution work is completed. This later thought was also noted by Pastor Russell, but was a secondary, not a primary application of the Jubilee type.
It was another testing time for Bible Students. Many disassociated themselves from the Dawn Movement over the above issues, and stopped their financial support of the Dawn for conscience’s sake. Some attempted to remain in Dawn dominated classes, only to find themselves ostracized for opposing the new Dawn doctrinal changes.
In 1970, a convention held at Fort Collins, Colorado, was well attended by brethren determined to respect Pastor Russell’s memory and office, and hold fast to the Truth he presented. Once again the brethren heard the lovely strains of the “old, old story” in its entirety, and many enjoyed the revived spirit of the Truth. At this convention and subsequent conventions, Bible Student classes were encouraged to provide services to the brethren without a central agency. Diverse views and opinions made a unified effort untenable, and some hesitated to found another Bible Student organization subject to the same problems as past organizations. This released the energies of many brethren who worked long and hard to witness to the truth and serve the brethren.
One faction was determined to generate a “Smiting of the Jordan” type witness work which would execute the “judgements written,” trigger the “Time of Trouble” and attract severe persecution upon themselves to fulfill the anti-type of the closing experiences of John the Baptist. Many brethren considered this motivation for witnessing to be contrary to Pastor Russell’s admonitions.
The Bible Student movement, since Pastor Russell died, contains brethren holding diverse beliefs. Individuals, classes and organizations have adopted various names to indicate their positions. These names are generalities, and those going by them often hold very different views about the Truth. The names of several organizations have already been considered.
Divine Plan Bible Students,” is sometimes used to describe groups who left the Dawn movement, because they tend to use the “Divine Plan of the Ages” chart at their meetings, and use the “Divine Plan of the Ages” book (Volume One of Pastor Russell’s Scripture Studies series), as well as the chart, in their witness activities. Some classes use this title in their class name.
Divine Plan Foundation” was formed in 1970 with an original membership of 10 brethren (later expanded to 15 members) to facilitate a witness effort in Japan. Radio scripts were written, broadcasts made and First Volumes printed in Japanese. Several brethren from the United States made extensive trips to Japan to nurture the interest there. Some Japanese Brethren came into the Truth via this witness effort. Over the years the foundation has accepted bequests and distributed funds to witness and other activities.
Associated Bible Students.” The name was suggested and used in Pastor Russell’s day. Some using this name are associated with the PBI movement, while others using it are independent classes not associated with any organization. The name has been widely used by brethren of various viewpoints.
Free Bible Students.” Their views vary considerably. Some use the name to denote that they are not associated with, or controlled by, any organization or individual, even when this is not so. Others use the name to declare their freedom to pursue any line of religious thought they choose without using Pastor Russell’s Bible study aids. These tend to study the Bible referencing other teachers, some of whom had, or have, a partial knowledge of the Truth. Others use the name to reflect their opposition to any incorporation of organizations or groups to meet government legal requirements for bookkeeping and tax purposes. Some “Free Bible Students” are freewheeling thinkers, who show little respect for Pastor Russell and his work, and often are blatantly hostile to him. Beliefs of those using this name vary so greatly, that the term only reveals its meaning upon thorough investigation.
Today, vitality seems centered in sections of the Bible Student movement that uphold the teachings and principles that Pastor Russell taught in the Volumes and his other writings. This movement of Truth and loyalty to the principles of the Truth transcends corporate business organizations and various doctrinal sidetracks that continue to test the brethren and will continue to the end. Many Bible Student Ecclesias regularly use Pastor Russell’s “Studies in the Scriptures” as their Bible study guides, recognizing that God has provided this beneficial method for topical study of the Bible. The desire for Truth and Righteousness still motivates many, and spiritual growth continues to be observed.
In reviewing the history of the Bible Student movement after Pastor Russell’s death, it becomes apparent that the church’s experiences in this brief period of time seem to replicate in miniature the whole Gospel Age experience. The Society repeated the same form of digression as the early church into a top down Catholic-like institution headed by an autocratic, domineering Pope-like figure. Efforts to reform the Jehovah’s Witnesses and its leaders’ errors were ineffective, and many Brethren left the movement to remain loyal to the Truth. A Protestant-like organization arose with initial success in restoring the Truth, only to fall again into former habits. Efforts were made to reform the Dawn, to no avail. Again, many Brethren, following the dictates of their conscience, left the movement to remain loyal to the Lord, the Truth and the Brethren. Dissenting Brethren gathered to the Truth and were sustained by it, though often labeled evildoers by those who were once their brethren. Thus was repeated, in miniature, the whole Gospel Age.
In his later years, Pastor Russell repeatedly warned against preaching the truth in any way except in the spirit of love and kindness. “--- whatever we shall do at any time under the guidance of the Lord’s Holy Spirit will be in harmony with justice and all the time intermingled with sympathetic love. None except those possessing and controlled by this, the Holy Spirit of God, will ever be permitted participation in the kingdom glories and power.” (Reprint 5450, May 1, 1914)
Revision 18
“Short History of the Bible Students”, Brother Chester Sundbom
“The Dawn, Its Ministry”, The Dawn Bible Students Association’s web page
“Bible Students in Britain”, Brother Hudson
“Jehovah’s Witnesses, Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom”, The Watch Tower Society
“Thirty Years A Watch Tower Slave”, W. J. Schnell
“The Bible Students’ Library disk
“The Finished Mystery”, Fisher & Woodworth
“A People For His Name”, Timothy White
“Faith On The March”, A. H. Macmillan
“Bible Students Special 25th Anniversary Newsletter”
“Jehovah’s Witnesses”, Marley Cole
Wow NN,
That's the longest post I've seen. Almost as long as Studies in the Scriptures. I'll save it on my PC thanks.
There are differences in the different editions of the Studies of the Scriptures. Somewhere on the internet, I think it is on the freeminds website, there is a list of all the editions. Originally the series was called Millennial Dawn. In early editions, in the preface (or foreword) C. T. Russell acknowledges the assistance of his wife. I do not know when this preface was changed. There is a different preface when it was changed to Studies in the Scriptures.
Russell changed some of the wording when he changed his views on the ransom and covenants, maybe around 1909. These changes were noted in the Watch Tower. Some did not go along with his changes, he even denying that he changed his view at all, and they left to form spinter groups. M. L. McPhail, a prominent pilgrim who left, wrote a tract on his differing views on the ransom, quoting passages that show his change of views.
The Winged Globe cover comes from the Russell period, and was not chosen by Rutherford. It was used to represent the "Sun of Righteousness with healing in its wings" from Malachi 4:2.
There were changes made to the year 1914 and what was expected. This is well documented by Ray Franz in his books.
However, the Scripture Studies did not go through major revisions. It was thought too expensive at the time to make more than a few changes of wording, to preserve the page numbering. This can create some confusion on the part of a careful reader today. Originally the books presented the view that the time of trouble would occur before 1914. But some passages were changed to reflect the later view that the time of trouble would start at 1914. These two conflicting views are often presented side by side.
On Ebay, some of these early volumes sell for $50 or more. Because of the changes, probably the earliest editions are the most valuable. It would be good if we had on the internet the text of the first edition of each book.
Steve
