September 1, 1985 WT, p. 23:
From 1876 onward, Jehovah’s people served notice upon the world, and particularly upon Christendom, that the Gentile Times would end in the fall of 1914. (Luke 21:24, KingJamesVersion) The clergy could not ignore this preliminary work of almost 40 years—a work corresponding to that of John the Baptizer. Those clergymen waited eagerly to pounce upon this journal’s editor should 1914 pass without any outstanding events to correspond with those about which he warned. But, oh, how they were silenced when on July 28, 1914, peace was shattered by the outbreak of World War I!Light, Book One, p. 194 (published in 1930):
The Watch Tower , and its companion publications of the Society, for forty years emphasized the fact that 1914 would witness the establishment of God's kingdom and the complete glorification of the church. During that period of forty years God's people on earth were carrying on a witness work, which work was foreshadowed by Elijah and John the Baptist. All of the Lord's people looked forward to 1914 with joyful expectation. When that time came and passed there was much disappointment, chagrin and mourning, and the Lord's people were greatly in reproach. They were ridiculed by the clergy and their allies in particular, and pointed to with scorn, because they had said so much about 1914, and what would come to pass, and their 'prophecies' had not been fulfilled.
Quote from Light can be found here:
http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/light1/light1_6.html
Rutherford said they had been ridiculed because their prophecies for 1914 "had not been fulfilled." Later Watchtower publications have tended to say the exact opposite
fantastic find..... fantastic thread!
the truth is whatever the WTS needs it to be in relation to the necessity of the time