Was watching this recently done new history of the society - here it is on youtube if you missed it when it first came out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV82K1z7N_4&feature=youtu.be
Lots of contradictory and nutty comments - for instance stating one minute that 1914 proved such a faith strengthening event because it fulfilled all their predictions, how encouraged they were, and then a few minutes later claiming the opposite - that many were disappointed and shocked because their expectations were not met!
Then came across this stunning claim, which was emphasised twice:
Around the 48min mark David Splane says (in the context of what would happen to the Bible students after the disappointment of 1914 and Russell's death in 1916): "It is evident that Jehovah had already chosen this organisation. (interesting how he calls it an "organisation" when earlier they claimed that it wasn't one, that Russell did not start a "new religious organisation" as there were too many already!) Because of the faithfulness and the sincerity of the men who were behind it, it is was obvious that Jehovah had already chosen this organisation to get his work done."
So where does that leave the 1919 doctrine? The doctrine that Jesus inspected ALL Christians then, and chose the Bible students then? According to Splane, Jesus/God had already made their decision long before the official inspection in 1919, and that decision was based, not on the quality of the spiritual food, but on the "sincerity" of the men?????
If you are interested in and have not had a chance to examine the early history of the adventists movements that influenced Russell, I highly recommend this summary:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_c-PdT0SsE
It highlights how absurd and arrogant it is to claim that one particular group of millennialists was somehow "unique," "special," "different," or more "faithful & sincere" in order for it to be chosen by God above all others.....