Does anybody have a good knowledge of exactly how Rutherford wrested control of the society ? The shares belonging to Russell were willed to sisters, how did he overule them ? Was his coup in any way legal ?
LIGHT AFTER DARKNESS
September 1, 1917
A Message to the Watchers, Being a refutation of "Harvest Siftings"
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"Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for My name’s sake, said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified’; but He shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed."
Our Present Counselor
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WE ARE LIVING in a time when, if it were possible, "the very elect" would be deceived, but God’s Word, our safe guide, assures us that this cannot be done, even though the Adversary should use some of his ablest instruments for that purpose. Jesus’ safety was found in what was written, and that constitutes our security also. We are not ignorant of the devices of our Adversary.
In New Testament days he used letters and words and spirits purporting to come from the right source and through the Lord’s channel in order to deceive the early Christians, but this was unavailing. He even caused some of his ablest ministers to write letters that were so nearly like the writings found in the Holy Scriptures that some could not tell them apart, and consequently accepted them as inspired writings. This gave rise to the Apocryphal books, which may be found in the Catholic Bibles between the Old and New Testaments.
This should cause the Lord’s people to be especially on guard at this time, when we are so near the end of the way, entering into Gethsemane, previous to the binding of Satan.
One of these pseudo-writings may be found in a document recently published and mailed to the friends all over the world, entitled "Harvest Siftings," which is an imitation and counterfeit of our dear Brother Russell’s Harvest Siftings, but a careful examination of the two writings bearing the same title will reveal the fact that they are entirely different. Brother Russell’s Siftings was a real thing; the latter is a deception. Brother Russell’s production was for the purpose of giving a plain, simple, straightforward, loving, Christian-like explanation of certain false charges which had been made by certain ones who had conspired against him. This latter document is altogether different. It is written for the purpose of condemning Brother Russell’s fellow-servants, and is the work of a Prosecuting Attorney rather than that of a Christian. In the one instance the Adversary attempted to disrupt the work of the Society by a conspiracy of brethren who were sifted out; in this instance he has proven a little more successful through the processes of usurpation, casting out faithful brethren, and then saying, "The Lord be glorified."
This pseudo-"Siftings" is nothing but a legal document to prove what a wonderful President the Society has-a supposedly real hero who has saved the Society from being wrecked, whereas in reality it is a covered effort to overcome Brother Russell, as represented in his fellow-servants, to the extent of splitting the Church, and the usage of the Lord’s money contributed by His consecrated people. Brother Rutherford is using the Lord’s money in this way. He is using the Lord’s people, and he is using consecrated time and talents in the same direction.
If you will carefully scrutinize his so-called "Siftings," you will readily observe that it has every earmark of the Lawyer, the Counselor, the Prosecuting Attorney. It is a lawyer’s business to accept his client’s case for money considerations, and to do everything in his power to prove his case. Lawyers argue on only one side of a case, and that is always their side-the selfish one. It is not a matter of strict justice (as it ought to be), but a matter of winning the case by arguments. To accomplish this purpose, such arguments only will be used that tend to establish their point. All other points will be suppressed, ignored, and omitted, and, at the same time, they will do everything they can to overcome the arguments on the other side, no matter how true they may be. Besides this, statements of witnesses are ofttimes colored to suit their case, and misrepresentations are frequently indulged in. In these, and in other ways, they either win the case, or come so near to it that their client seems satisfied, unless an appeal case can be worked up. You will find all these things used in this so-called "Siftings" to prove a point and to show what a wonderful champion the Society (Rutherford-Van Amburgh) has found in Our President.
He has set himself up as the Counselor of the Church, and this is the kind of counsel he is giving them. It might be well to notice in this connection that this word Counselor is one of the titles of the Lord Jesus, and is one of the principal works of the Advocate, and was never previously recognized as an office in the Church.
We are confident that the friends do not wish the money they have contributed for the spread of the Truth to be used to propagate falsehoods and to push the Primacy so as to split the Church. Neither do they wish the name, memory, contributions, sacrifices and prestige of our dear Brother Russell to be used in this manner. Therefore, we are inviting your careful and prayerful consideration of the facts stated in the writings herewith sent forth to the Lord’s people in His name, which, we believe, will be one of the means the Lord will use at this time to shield and protect His people-His sheep-from those that would otherwise devour and destroy.
"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Our Lord."- 2Pe 1:2.
"LET THERE BE LIGHT!"
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"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."- Isa 53:17.
A. N. Pierson J. F. Rutherford} I. F. Hoskins}vs. R. H. Hirsh W. E. Van Amburgh} J. D. Wright A. I. Ritchie ITTLE did we think when we looked upon the dead body of our great leader, Pastor Russell, less than nine months ago, that in so short a time it would become our painful duty to sound an alarm to the Lord’s people everywhere, in the statement we are now about to make. Little did we then think that those who would undertake to manage the affairs of the Society after Brother Russell’s death would attempt to pervert and change the time-honored customs and usages left us by our dear Pastor, or that there would be introduced such flagrant and sweeping departures from the form of government as outlined in Brother Russell’s Will and in the Charter of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, written by his own hand.
For months past we have been hoping to avert the present issue, and now it is necessary that we relate to you the history of the unhappy circumstances which have led up to the present trouble. Even now, we would hesitate to speak of these things were it not for the fact that certain brethren, whose names we must herein mention, have sent out broadcast lengthy statements which have distorted the facts and which are calculated to mislead the Lord’s people with regard to the true situation at headquarters.
Accordingly, we have received hundreds of letters requesting a true and complete explanation of the affairs and happenings here.
Failure to correct the misleading statements and tell you the truth would surely mean a culpable neglect on our part to fulfil our solemn and sacred duty to protect and safeguard the interests of the Lord’s flock.
The Watch Tower readers have received a paper styled "Harvest Siftings." It bears the signature of the President of our Society, J. F. Rutherford. Several facts are apparent at once to the minds of all who have read this paper carefully, namely:
(1) That the author has attempted to assassinate the good reputation of some of his brethren, Directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, who for many years under Brother Russell occupied positions of trust in the work of the Society.
(2) That the Author of "Harvest Siftings," while knowing that St. Paul enjoins, "speak evil of no man," has seemingly lifted all restraint from his tongue and pen and throughout his paper has carried on a campaign of slander and evil speaking.
(3) That while on page one of his "Siftings," Brother Rutherford declares that God is his Judge, he seems unwilling that God shall judge his brethren, but proceeds himself to be their judge and to unmercifully condemn them.
(4) That while on the first page of "Siftings," our brother says he has no unkind feelings toward anyone, he proceeds to express, time after time, unkind sentiments toward these brethren.
(5) While in the concluding paragraphs of his paper, he exhorts that no bitterness be allowed to come in, he has repeatedly said many things therein to arouse bitter thoughts in the minds of the Lord’s people.
(6) That throughout his statement our brother has attempted to link with Brother Johnson’s affairs in England the proceedings of the majority members of the Board of Directors, and that without there being any relationship whatsoever and in face of repeated protests on our part.
(7) That on the first page of "Harvest Siftings," top of second column, the author exhorts "that you do not form any distinct opinion until you have read all this statement"; the inference being that you should immediately form a distinct opinion after reading his statement.
We have too much confidence in you, dear brethren, to think that after following the leading of the Lord under Brother Russell, many of you for years past, you could at this late hour be so misled as not to be able to discern between this and the spirit of the wise man of old: "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."-Proverbs 18:13. See Vol.VI, pages 293, 294.
We would not publish this article merely in defense of our name. We have nothing that is not fully devoted to the Lord and the Truth; we suffer because of our faithful effort to serve these and you, and realizing this, we are not distressed. "We know whom we have believed and are persuaded that He is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him against that day."
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THE PURPOSE OF THIS PUBLICATION
The purpose of this explanation is not to retaliate, either, for, by the Lord’s Grace, we trust to follow the example of Jesus, "who when He was reviled, reviled not again." Therefore, we will leave out personalities and bitter words in the presentation.
We believe that it will not be speaking evil to confine ourselves to some of the official acts of the President of the Society, for every voting shareholder has a right to information of this character. Our only purpose, dear brethren, is to set matters before you in such a manner that you may see the facts and principles involved and be prepared to recognize the Lord’s leading and guidance through this fiery trial, to the intent that you may endure the same, without any real injury.
Herewith we set forth the salient points that you may be assisted in following the events up to the present sad crisis:
(1) That during the lifetime of Brother Russell, he exercised complete control and management of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, and all of its affairs, for the reason that he created the Society with his own money and intellect under the special guidance of the Lord’s spirit, which he possessed in large measure.
(2) That as he looked forward to his death, it was not his thought that he would have a successor in this special office, but rather that the Board of seven Directors should "come to the front" and be his successor, and exercise complete management of the Society and its affairs.
(3) That the Charter of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, written by Brother Russell, stated in plain terms the form of government by which the Society was to be governed. This, he declared, was intended to apply especially after his death.
(4) That at his death, Brother Russell left a will (see "Watch Tower," December 1, 1916), in which he explains why be had control of the Society during his lifetime and the manner in which he desired the affairs to be continued after his death.
(5) That Brother Russell had not been dead more than a few days when his Will was declared to be illegal and, therefore, not binding, and that its provisions need not be observed by those who took charge, thus beginning the real murmuring against Brother Russell’s arrangements, which has continued ever since.
(6) That Brother Rutherford, being well assured in advance that he would be elected President of the Society, drew up some by-laws before his election, which were taken to the shareholders’ meeting at Pittsburgh, January 6, and placed in the hands of a committee of three brethren, with the instruction that they suggest before the shareholders’ meeting that these by-laws be adopted by the Society for the government of its affairs.
(7) That these by-laws, prepared by Brother Rutherford, expressly stated that the President should be the executive and manager of the Society and that he should have full charge of all its affairs, both in foreign lands and in America.
(8) That the passage of these by-laws, under Brother Rutherford’s instructions, by the shareholders was contrary to the Charter of the Society, and, hence, not binding, since the Charter provides that "the Directors shall have full power to make by-laws." (See charter, Sec. VII, elsewhere in this pamphlet.) (9) That Brother Rutherford, knowing that these by-laws, recommended by the shareholders, were not legal on returning from the election called a meeting of the Board of Directors, at which there were present Brothers Rutherford, Van Amburgh, Pierson, Ritchie and Wright. Brother Hoskins, being ill, was absent, and Brother Rockwell had just removed from Bethel. At this meeting of the Board, these by-laws, placing the control in the hands of Brother Rutherford, were adopted thus making them legal.
(10) That the Brethren present at this Board meeting who took part in the adoption of these by-laws, not being able to forecast the future, and not surmising that our brother would misuse the power, thought best at that time to take this action.
(11) That not many weeks had passed before there were misgivings in the minds of several of the Directors as to the wisdom of the action taken, and though they expressed no immediate protest, they recognized that they had placed altogether too much confidence in Brother Rutherford in giving him such sweeping control, for they saw that he was interpreting the by-laws to mean that he alone was the controller of the Society to the exclusion of the Directors.
(12) That one of the seriously objectionable results of this power in the hands of the President was that he appointed a special representative, Brother A. H. Macmillan, who for two months previous to this time, since Brother Russell’s death, had shown himself unfit to represent the Society and its affairs in such an important position, and that to this special representative was delegated autocratic powers by the President, so that in the absence of the President, the word of his special representative was declared to be final on all matters, much to the sorrow and discomfort of many of the force.
(13) That instead of properly representing the Society and assisting the President in preserving inviolate its charter and Brother Russell’s will, Brother Macmillan did the very reverse. He apparently viewed Brother Russell’s Will as a mere trifle, not worthy of consideration, and time after time as he visited various parts of the country, he held up the Board of Directors to contempt and ridicule.
(14) That instead of the President exercising restraint over his special representative, he apparently sanctioned his unseemly conduct, as indicated in his statement in "Harvest Siftings," page 11, where he says Brother Macmillan "has proven faithful and loyal."
(15) That after three months or so had passed, it became clearly evident to the majority of the Directors that they had seriously blundered in placing the complete control in the hands of one man, contrary to the charter (article VI of which reads: "The corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors, consisting of seven members"), and that under this one-man rule the Directors were not allowed to direct, and could get little or no information regarding the affairs of the Society, for which the laws of the land held them responsible.
(16) That Brother Van Amburgh is the only Director who has fully supported the President in his methods and policies; whereas prior to Brother Russell’s death, Brother Van Amburgh frequently opposed Brother Russell in the business that he brought before the Board for consideration, thus taking hours of Brother Russell’s valuable time; and that since Brother Russell’s death, Brother Van Amburgh has given his undivided support to Brother Rutherford, and is permitted to exercise more authority than ever before; and has repeatedly refused members of the Board the privilege of getting information from the Society’s records.
(17) That prior to the time of Brother Johnson’s return from England, in the early part of April, things had not been running smoothly and to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors, and that Brother Johnson’s return had nothing whatever to do with the real issues.
(18) That when Brother Johnson returned to America he appealed to the Board of Directors for a hearing of the difficulties in England. Two hearings were allowed by the President, neither of which was an official Board meeting, and in neither of these was Brother Johnson given more than slight opportunity to state his case..4b (19) That when Brother Johnson requested time and again that the President call a meeting of the Board to give him a fair opportunity to state his case, the President became angered and told Brother Johnson and the Board it was none of their business, that the management was all in his hands, and that he had closed up the matter of Brother Johnson’s affair and would not open it again.
(20) That when the members of the Board saw this attitude on the part of the President, which was but another exhibition of the same autocratic powers which he had many times exercised since his election, they concluded it wise to take counsel together and earnestly prayed over the matter, the result of which was that at the next Board meeting, one of our number offered a resolution to amend the by-laws which the Board had unwisely adopted early in the year.
(21) That the purpose of the Directors in wishing to amend the by-laws was not that the four members of the Board might take over the control of the Society, but that the Board might be restored to its proper position, according to Brother Russell’s will and charter.
(22) That when this resolution was offered to rescind the objectionable by-laws, the President was greatly angered and offered such strenuous opposition that the Board yielded to his suggestion to hold the matter over for about a month.
(23) That meantime the President took a trip West and completed the scheme by which he has attempted to declare illegal and put off the Board four of its properly constituted members, three of whom for many years past were recognized by Brother Russell as legally chosen Directors.
(24) That the President’s declaration that these members of the Board have had no legal standing as Directors for years past, would mean, if true, that Brother Russell has been transacting "illegal business" through an "illegal Board" for many years.
(25) Be it known, therefore, that Brother Rutherford in his "Siftings" has beclouded the real issues by claiming that the Directors have espoused the cause of Brother Johnson and want to send him back to England, when we had no desire or intention of doing anything of the kind; and be it further known that Brother Johnson is in no sense the cause of our differences here at the headquarters.
(26) Be it known further that we had no thought whatsoever of interrupting the affairs of the Society by tying up its funds, as Brother Rutherford charges us, but merely to make them subject to the Board’s direction; and that no thought could be farther from our mind than that of wrecking the Society. God knows our hearts and our intentions. Instead, we have been for many years engaged with all our heart and strength in supporting the Lord’s work and in extending the influence of our Society and the Truth, which we all love so much. Our aim from first to last in this respect has been to fulfill the duties of our office, to which three of us were appointed under Brother Russell, and to faithfully fulfill the trust reposed in us; and to estop, if possible, a gross and wholesale departure from Brother Russell’s Will, his Charter, and the policies outlined by him to be followed after his death, to all of which the Directors solemnly bound themselves........MORE....
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