by VM44 14 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
In the early part of the 20th century, the Bible Students were taking something called "The Vow".
What was this, and what was its purpose?
Who came up with the idea of people taking a vow?
Does anyone have the complete statement of it? (Was it ever published in The Watch Tower?)
This is something that JWs today known nothing at all about!
There is a mention of it in the Jan 15, 1922 WT p24
Again in 1908 when the vow was brought forth many
gave themselves much trouble m busy-bodying and evil-
,peaking about Brother Russell, accusing him of immorality
and of then bringing on the vow and demanding
that others take it in order to cover his own sins.
What was the result? The same as in 1894. Apparently
"the earth [business and worldly cares and interests]
opened her month, and swallowed them up," as far as
any further spiritual activity in the harvest is condemned.
Many can recall more recent trying experiences. Again
the ship of church was struck and shivered from stem
to stern. Again many sought the Lord for strength of
faith to trust him mind the storm. He answered the
prayers of all such. Blah blah blah blah blah blah
WT Sept 1 1908
BROTHER RUSSELL'S PERSONAL MAIL
Announcements of having taken "the Vow" has swelled
Brother Russell's mail greatly. All of your letters are very
welcome, but he requests that you accept the WATCH TOWER
articles and the DAWN-STUDIES as replies, except brief replies
to special queries and then perhaps on post-cards.
The Finished Mystery, Page 71 (I think). Page 86 of Special Edition
The seven thunders have uttered their voices
(Rev. 10:3); the seven last plagues have been
poured out (Rev. 15:6); the voices of the three
signs have been uttered (Exod. 4:3-9; Z.'07-276);
the ribband of blue (the Vow) has done its work
(Num. 15:38); the tares and wheat have been
separated (Matt. 13:30; C139); the net has been
drawn to the shore and the fish sorted Blah blah blah blah blah blah
Here ya go!
WT June 1915,1908 page 186&7
“The vow is: ‘Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed
be thy name. May thy rule come into my heart more and
more, and thy will be done in my mortal body. Relying on
the assistance of thy promised grace to help in every time of
need. through Jesus Christ our Lord, I register this vow.
Daily will I remember at the throne ‘of heavenly grace the
general interests of the harvest work, and particularly the
share which I myself am privileged to enjoy in that work,
and the dear co-laborers at ihe Bible House,“Allegheny. I vow
to still more carefully. if possible, scrutinize my thoughts and
words and doings, to’the intent that I may be the better enabled
to serve these, and thy dear flock. I vow to thee that
I will be on the alert to resist everything akin to Spiritism
and Occultism, and that remembering that there are but the
two masters I shall resist these snares in all reasonable ways,
as being of the Adversary. I further vow that, with the exceptions
below, I will at all times and at all places, conduct
myself toward those of the opposite sex in private exactly as
I would do with them in public in the presence of a
congregation of the Lord’s people, and so far as reasonably
possible I will avoid being in the same room with any female alone,
unless the door to the room stand wide open wife, children,
mother and sisters excepted., ,,
Cheers
Chris
:I further vow that, with the exceptions
below, I will at all times and at all places, conduct
myself toward those of the opposite sex in private exactly as
I would do with them in public in the presence of a
congregation of the Lord’s people, and so far as reasonably
possible I will avoid being in the same room with any female alone,
unless the door to the room stand wide open wife, children,
mother and sisters excepted.
For Russell. "the vow" included remaining celibate throughout life. He encouraged others who were willing, to do the same and some did.
Farkel
The Vow was written for men!
What sense does the last sentence make for a woman?
vm44,
:"The Vow was written for men!
Yes. But, logically speaking, if there were no pokers, there could be no pokees, yes?
:What sense does the last sentence make for a woman?
: With a man who made such a vow, what sense would that make for a women?
She wouldn't get to have SEX with a MAN, dummy!
Ask Maria Russell. Oh, wait. She's dead. And she was cute looking. Shame.
Farkel
*** yb75 pp. 51-52 Part 1—United States of America ***Beecher’s former residence soon became the new home of the Society’s headquarters staff of over thirty persons, and it was called "Bethel," meaning "House of God." The remodeled Hicks Street building became known as "The Brooklyn Tabernacle." It housed the Society’s offices and a fine auditorium. On January 31, 1909, 350 persons were present for the dedication of the Society’s new headquarters.
At Bethel was located C. T. Russell’s study. Downstairs was the dining room, with a long table that would accommodate forty-four persons. The family would assemble here to sing a hymn, read the "Vow" and join in prayer before breakfast. At the beginning of the meal a Bible text was read from DailyHeavenlyMannafortheHouseholdofFaith, and this was discussed during breakfast.
Would you like to hear the vow that was daily impressed on their minds? Entitled "My Solemn Vow to God," it goes like this:
"Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. May thy rule come into my heart more and more, and thy will be done in my mortal body. Relying on the assistance of thy promised grace to help in every time of need, through Jesus Christ our Lord, I register this Vow.
"Daily will I remember at the throne of heavenly grace the general interests of the harvest work, and particularly the share which I myself am privileged to enjoy in that work, and the dear co-laborers at the Brooklyn Bethel, and everywhere.
"I Vow to still more carefully, if possible, scrutinize my thoughts and words and doings, to the intent that I may be the better enabled to serve thee, and thy dear flock.
"I Vow to thee that I will be on the alert to resist everything akin to Spiritism and Occultism, and that, remembering that there are but the two masters, I shall resist these snares in all reasonable ways, as being of the Adversary.
"I further Vow that, with the exceptions below, I will at all times and at all places, conduct myself toward those of the opposite sex in private exactly as I would do with them in public—in the presence of a congregation of the Lord’s people, and so far as reasonably possible I will avoid being in the same room with any of the opposite sex alone, unless the door to the room stand wide open:—In the case of a brother—wife, children, mother and sisters excepted. In the case of a sister—husband, children, father and brothers excepted."
Recitation of this vow was later discontinued among God’s people at Bethel and elsewhere. Yet, the high principles embodied in its words are still sound.
The Vow was something Russell created for himself, in time it became a "rule" for those Bible Students who lived at the headquarters. Eventually the vow "leaked" out and Bible Students outside of HQ's saw a benifit in it and asked Russell if it were okay if they took the vow, Russell had no problem with it, stated it was a personal issue.
Bible Students today still take The Vow, it's usually read at the beginning of each Convention Day.
RR
