I just checked out The Kingdom of the Cults by R. Zacherias from the library, origionally published in 1965 it has be revised and re-released in 2003 and it had some very interesting background info on C.T. Russell. This has probably been covered here before, but since the infamousone wants non-fluffy posts this ones for you brother!
Miracle Wheat
November 1, 1916, a local newspaper, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, published an interesting piece of investigative journalism exposing some alleged abuses by one of their most renowned citizens, Charles Taze Russell, founder of Zion's Watch Tower. The article states: "After the `work' had been well started here, `Pastor' Russell's Watch Tower publication advertized wheat seed for sale at $1.00 a pound (quite expensive in that day). "It was styled `Miracle Wheat,' and it was asserted that it would grow five times as much as any other brand of wheat. "There were other claims made for the wheat seed, and the followers were advised to purchase it, the proceeds to go to the Watch Tower and be used in publishing the `Pastor's' sermons. "The Eagle first made public the facts about these new ventures of the Russellites [an early term used to describe Russell's followers] and it published a cartoon picturing the `Pastor' and his `Miracle Wheat' in such a way that `Pastor' Russell brought suit for libel, asking $100,000 damages. "Government departments investigated the wheat for which $1.00 a pound was asked, and agents of the Government were important witnesses at the trial of the libel suit in January, 1913. "The `Miracle Wheat' was low in the Government tests, they said. The Eagle won the suit." Dr. Martin reproduced from microfilm on file in New York the following dates and titles from relevant articles of The Brooklyn Daily Eagle all published in January of 1913:
Financial statements proving Russell's absolute control, were made by (Watch Tower) Secre¬tary-Treasurer Van Amberg who was quoted as saying, "...We are not responsible to anyone for our expenditures. We are responsible only to God," (1/25/13, p. 16). Government experts testify on "Miracle Wheat" and ascertain beyond doubt that it is not miraculous or overly excellent (1/27/13, p. 3); Prosecution and Defense sum-up. Russell assailed but not present to hear it (1/28/13, p. 2); Russell loses libel suit (1/29/13, p. 16). Some modern Jehovah's Witnesses may wish to minimize the significance of the "Miracle Wheat" claiming that the profits from its sales went to the Watchtower Society and not Russell himself. However as Martin points out, Russell owned 990 of the 1,000 shares of Watchtower Society stock. By this figure, 99% of every "contribution" for "Mira¬cle Wheat" was in effect a contribution to Russell himself.
Fake Sermons?
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle also published a number of articles showing proof that during his tour of the world 'Pastor' Russell went on he did not make nearly as many stops as he claimed to. In fact he would rent out space in local papers and post rave reviews of sermons that he never gave!
Perjury?
Charles Russell lied under oath in a libel suit that he brought against a minister who had printed crutucal articles about him. Here is an excerpt from the trial:
Crown: "Do you know the Greek alphabet?"
Ressell: "Oh yes."
Crown: "Can you tell me the correct letters if you see them?"
Russell: "Some of them; I might make a mistake on some of them."
Crown: "Would you tell my the names of those on top of the page, page 447, I have got here?"
Russell: "Well, I don't know that I would be able to."
Crown: "You can't tell what these letters are?Look at them again and see if you know."
Russell: "My way." (He is inturrepted)
Crown: "Are you fimilar with the Greek language?"
Russell: "No."