I downloaded the Study into the Scriptures part 4 (1879) to read about the idea Russell et al had around the Faithful and prudent slave. And I also download the Bible Teachers Manual dated 1909, In the latter one, it has a list of all parables found in the T, and the MEAT in DUE SEASON (or now called the Faithful and prudent / wise slave) verses in Matt. 24 and Luke 12 are in that list. In other words, considered a parable. I have not found an article yet where this suddenly changed to a prophecy.
I herewith show what I shared on another site:
The original view of the Faithful and prudent servant, as described in Studies into the Scriptures, part 4, originally published in 1879 and reprinted during 1916-1918 reads as follows (taken from the 1879 version and bear in mind that it was believed that Jesus would have returned in 1874 and that in 1909 it was still considered a parable):
Who then is the faithful and prudent servant, whom his Master has placed over his household to give them food in due season. Happy that servant whom his Master, on coming, shall find thus employed ! Indeed I say to you that he will appoint him over all his stores of provisions."
-Matt. 24 : 45-5 I ; Luke I 2:42-46.
The intimation here seems to be, that at the particular time indicated by the prophecy,-namely, during the Lord's presence, and at the time of the gathering of the elea--our Lord,the great Servant of his people, will make choice of
one channel for dispensing the meat in due season, though other channels or "fellow-servants" will be used in bringing the food to the " household." But the servant is merely a steward, and liable to be removed at any moment, should
he fail to fully and duly acknowledge in every particular, the Master,-the great Servant of God, and his people,- " the Messenger of the Covenant,"-Christ. Faithfulness on the part of said steward (both to the
#'Master and to "his fellow-servants " and " the household") will be rewarded by his continuance as steward;- so long as he serves faithfully, he may continue, and may serve the household of faith with things new and old,-
meat in due season-to the end ; bringing forth all the precious things of divine provision. But if unfaithful he will be deposed entirely and put into outer darkness, while presumably another would take the place, subject to the
same conditions.
To our understanding this would not imply that "that servant" or steward, used as a channel for the circulation of the " meat in due season," would be the originator of that meat, nor inspired, nor infallible. Quite to the contrary,
we may be sure that whoever the Lord will so use, as a truth-distributing agent, will be very humble and unassuming, as well as very zealous for the Master's glory; so that he would not think of claiming authorship or ownership
of the truth, but would merely dispense it zealously, as his Master's gift, to his Master's "servants" and household. "
Any other spirit and course would surely work a change of steward. This is detailed by our Lord as follows :- " But if that servant shall [become wicked, and [losing faith] say in his heart, My Master de ? ays his coming; and shall smite his fellow-servants, and eat and drink with the intemperate [of their false doctrines], the Master of that servant will be present in a day that he looketh not for, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and.shall cut him off [from being his servant] and will appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."-Matt. 24 :48-5 I.
WHen I read it, it seems a bit strange to say the the Lord will make choice of ONE channel and to say also that though other channels or "fellow-servants" will be used. The way I read the whole view, is that the Lord can make use of various stewards as long as they are faithful and prudent. If they are no longer fit for that purpose, they will be removed, no longer used.
There is no particular appointment, hence no dates mentioned. It is the Lord who uses, and can use various sources as a channel.
