I am a Bible Student; I believe it probable that Sturgeon misunderstood and misinterpreted what Russell requested, and in his mind interpreted what Russell said in the manner as he presented it. I personally feel that Russell was probably very cold and was simply seeking some way to wrap his body so as keep from feeling so cold.
I have also suspected that Sturgeon may have been influenced in his report by Rutherford.
Although Russell had been dead for only a few weeks, the December issues had already begun to insidiously emphasize "organization", although not many of the Bible Students at that time understood the implications of such statements, nor to what end such statements would lead.
I do not know that this is true, but, if one reads closely what Sturgeon wrote, much of what he has written are his conclusions about what was happening just before Russell died, not necessarily what Russell himself was thinking.
Worship of Russell:
If anyone is actually worshiping Russell, whether ourwardly or in the heart, then that one has failed to understand what Russell presented, and by their worship of Russell would be denying what Russell taught, which would be a self-contradiction if such a person was claiming to believe in what Russell taught.
Russell spoke on this in 1910, when, in the context of speaking concerning those who find Brother Russell in the scriptures, and who were preaching Brother Russell, he stated:
I do not find it there. Some of them say that I am blinded on that subject, that they all can see better than I can. Perhaps they can, I do not know, but I think, dear friends, that there is a danger in that direction, and I would like to put you all on guard. I think it is the Lord's will that we should recognize every agency God uses, but we are not to recognize any agency of God as being in any competition whatever with the Lord or with his divine arrangement. He is the fountain of blessing, he only is most to be praised. I think that is the right sentiment. I believe you all agree with that. And yet I think there is a danger of some dear friends preaching Brother Russell. Brother Russell would like for you not to do so.
He thinks it would not be to the glory of God. Let me repeat, then, dear friends, that in my opinion we have so much of the Gospel of God, so much of his plan to study, so many opportunities of showing forth his praises, that we should employ all our time in that way. My advice, therefore, is that we give very little attention to anything outside of that.
The Scriptures do indeed say that we may render honor to him to whom honor is due, and that is applicable to anybody and everybody; as, for instance, we look back and we see Martin Luther, and he did a grand work, and we thank God for him; and we might say the same of John Wesley, and very truthfully; I am glad in God's providence he lived, and that he was a faithful man. And there were others of the Lord's people in the past. Let us be glad and rejoice in every one, and be thankful to God he has used various agencies in helping us, and in helping others, and in bringing forward his great cause; but let us not go into anything that would be at all like man-worship, for I am sure that would be displeasing to the Lord and injurious to ourslves. I remind you again of the Scripture in Revelations where the Church is pictured, which we called attention to, I believe, thirty years ago. John, the revelator, who was seeing these things, fell down to worship the angel who showed them to him, and the angel said, 'See thou do it not; worship God; I am thy fellowservant.'
And so, dear friends, if our Heavenly Father and our Heavenly Lord have used Brother Russell in any measure he is very glad and very thankful to be used. And if the Lord is pleased to use him any more, he will be glad to be used down to the last breath, but he does not want any worship, he does not want any undue adoration, he does not want any praise. He is glad to have the love of all those who are brethren of the Lord and to be considered a fellow-servant with all, striving to bring to pass all the glorious things that God has promised, striving to tell the good tidings of great joy to as many as the Lord, our God, shall call.
-1910; ("Convention Report Sermons", pg. 125) http://www.heraldmag.org/olb/contents/russell/crs.pdf
My own thoughts pertaining the the faithful and wise servant:
http://ctr.reslight.net/?p=127
