Question about Zion's Watch Tower

jwfacts

Can anyone tell me the year Zion's Watch Tower was changed to the Watchtower, and also why?

It was Rutherford's seventh volume of the study of scriptures that had caused alot of controversy which made him alot of critics and a few former followers of the Russell's theology had left and started their own organization. It was the Laymen's Home Missionary movement then later the Dawn Bible Students Association. Due to the confusion being caused by these groups the name of the organization was officially changed in 1931.

cyberdyne systems 101

I dont know the exact answers to your questions, more a thought on it really. The full title included '..and herald of Christ's presence' It was these type of words that were being used by the Adventists, from where CT Russell gained the reasoning of the time of the end prophesies. At that time as you know it was believed that Christ had come invisibly from 1874 if I recall correctly, because of the discovery of the word translated: presence in one translation, and that as this magazine was printed during that believed time of his presence that it was to this the title refered. I will be interested to hear more on this as people reply.

jwfacts

Thanks guys, and welcome Rook.

So was Zion's Watch Tower being used as the name until 1931?

Rook

Aloha jwfacts,

yes they officially changed it in 1931 and also that's when they started going by the name Jehovah Witness.

AndersonsInfo

Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was first formed in 1881 and then legally incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania on Dec. 15, 1884. The name change took place as follows according to the charter:
AMENDMENT OF 1896
In re petition for change of name of Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. No. September Term, 1896
To the Honorable the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas No. One of Allegheny County:
The petition of Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society, respectfully represents:
That in pursuance of the provision of the said Act of the General Assembly, the said Association is desirous of changing the name, style and title by which it was incorporated, and at a meeting of the said Corporation duly convened, the following change in the name, style and title as set forth in said charter was duly adopted:
That the name, style and title of said Corporation be changed from "Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society" to "Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society."
In Witness Whereof, the said Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society has hereunto affixed its corporate seal, attested by its President and Secretary, this 8th day of August, A.D. 1896
Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society
Charles T. Russell, President
Maria F. Russell, Secretary
The approval for change of name was accepted and recorded, September 22, 1896

Another change: The new name, "Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania" was registered in Harrisburg, PA Oct. 7, 1955. It was approved on Oct. 31, 1955 and recorded on Nov. 1, 1955.
"Peoples Pulpit Association" was formed in 1909 in connection with the WT Society moving its principal offices to Brooklyn, NY. In 1939 the name was changed to "Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Inc." Since 1956 it has been known as "Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc." (See Proclaimers Book, page 229)

Rook

Also see Jehovah Witnesses In The Divine Purpose, p. 33...

Rook

I mean 125 and 127

AndersonsInfo

Why was the name ZION'S WATCH TOWER TRACT SOCIETY changed to WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY? see ZION'S WATCH TOWER Reprints, December 15, 1896, page 2077.

Under the heading, WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, it reads:
"REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING DEC. 1, 1896
Although the above has been the recognized name of our Society for some four years, it was not until this year that the Board of Directors took the proper steps to have the name legally changed from ZION'S WATCH TOWER TRACT SOCIETY to that above. The new name seems to be in every way preferable."

Name changes for "THE WATCHTOWER" Journal
See Jehovah's Witnesses Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, page 724.
When first produced, in July 1879, it was called "Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence. On January 1, 1909, the title was changed to "The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence," in order to focus attention more clearly on the objective of the magazine which was to champion the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As of Jan. 1, 1939, the title was changed to read "The Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Kingdom," putting increased emphasis on Christ already ruling from heaven. On March 1, 1939 the title was changed to "The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom," to direct attention to Jehovah as the Universal Sovereign.

VM44

"On March 1, 1939 the title was changed to "The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom," to direct attention to Jehovah as the Universal Sovereign."

Rutherford plan was to deliberately reduce mention of Christ. Why? Because Rutherford wanted so much to return to the ancient Israelic system with earthly kings over the people.

And guess who was king with absolute power over the people? Yes, Rutherford! And he was treated like a royal one, and even compared with King David in some Watchtower publications (specifically Robert J. Martin, Watchtower factory manager, when giving a reason why Rutherford should be entitled to use the house, Beth Sarim).

Christ, the mediator, was reduced in importance so that The Watchtower organization could become the new mediator between the people and Jehovah's THEOCRACY.

It was all about Rutherford holding absolute power, which is what he worked for years to obtained, and he did obtain it through being the president of The Watchtower corporation.

--VM44

Question about Zion's Watch Tower

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