Pyramidology is a form of Occult and Russell was deep into that
Charles T Russell -a freemason and the connection to the illuminati...
by dolphman 177 Replies latest jw friends
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vienne
Pyramidology in the Russell era had nothing to do with the occult. It was widely believed even by well known religious figures and archaeologists. It's acceptance was short lived.
From Separate Identity, vol 1:
The Witness of the Great Pyramid
They were introduced to speculations about the Great Pyramid of Giza at least by 1875.[1] How soon they adopted the view that the pyramid was God’s “great stone witness on the border of Egypt” is unknown, but it must have been in this era. As with so much else, claims made about Russell’s belief that the Great Pyramid was a secondary witness to the divine message are often wholly or partly false. One writer suggests that Storrs introduced Pyramidology to “the Millerites,” and that belief centered in Adventist bodies. Those who lack persistence and skill as researchers, the lazy and polemicists may have an interest in limiting belief to “fringe” groups, but this distorts the record. Pyramidology was discussed in America at least by 1861.[2] Believers were a diverse group that ran the spectrum from Astrologers to Thomas De Witt Talmage, a popular Presbyterian and Reformed pastor, who had “no doubt” that Isaiah’s reference to a stone witnesses on the border of Egypt meant the Great Pyramid.[3]
Charles Piazzi Smyth, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, popularized and elaborated the theories of John Taylor, who without visiting the pyramid suggested that it was constructed by Noah. Smyth traveled to Egypt, examining and measuring the pyramid. He penned Our Inheritance in the Great Pyramid which was published in 1864. It attributed the Great Pyramid to Melchizedek and gave it a scientific and religious import. Smyth’s theories gained a following among Egyptologists, not the least of whom was William Matthew Flinders Petrie. But when Flinders Petrie traveled to Egypt in 1880, making his own measurements he found so many flaws in Smyth’s theory that he abandoned it, calling it “lamentable nonsense.” By the end of the 19th Century no reputable Egyptologist supported it.
James K. Walker, president of the Watchman Fellowship, suggested that Pyramidology was “a major source of revelation” for Russell, writing that Russell admitted to this. As is true of most of what Mr. Walker writes, this is absurd. At least one writer claims that Pyramidology attracted Adventists primarily, and many claim that pyramid belief was rank superstition, occultism, or connected to the Masons. All of this is wrong, some of it out of context and some contrived. Certainly, Walker’s claim that Russell was dependent on pyramid measurement for his chronology is false. Ron Rhodes described Russell’s belief that the pyramid fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy as “cornerstone component” of his belief system. This is also false.
In 1881, Russell wrote that he had “great respect” for the teaching of the Great Pyramid, adding, “We do not build our faith upon it. It has well been called ‘A Miracle in Stone,’ and it commends itself to us as a work of God, and not planned by men, for it seems in every respect to be in perfect accord with God’s plan as we are finding it written in His Word; and this it is, that causes our respect for it.”[4] It is no more true that Russell found in the pyramid a cornerstone of his theology than it is of Clarence Larkin, the Baptist expositor, who also saw the pyramid as God’s stone witness on the border of Egypt.
Russell was introduced to Pyramidology through his One Faith and Millennialist connections. Storrs, writers for Age-to-Come journals, and others promoted Smyth’s ideas and added thoughts of their own. Thomas Wilson’s Our Rest focused on the dual themes of Christ’s return and the Great Pyramid. Russell could not have avoided the discussion. The quotation above shows us that he read J. A. Seiss’ Miracle in Stone when it was published in 1877. Seiss published on the theme in 1869, but while Russell may have read that tract we cannot prove he did. The nature of the Great Pyramid was the subject of lectures, pamphlets, books and public discussion. If it later became the pet theory of fringe religion and occultists, it was not that in this era. We honor Isaac Newton for his science. We forget that when everyone else believed Phlogiston was a scientific reality, he did too. If he were alive today, we’d raise our eyebrows and scoff. Context is everything here. Put in context, Russell’s adoption of Smyth’s theory made him a man of his times. He believed it when others did.
Seiss, whose works are still published, is honored as a serious and scholarly exegete. Others of repute in the religious world found the theory attractive. A long list of favorable reviews of his Miracle in Stone appeared in the religious and secular press. The Illustrated Christian Weekly expressed some reservations but recommended it. The Reformed Church Messenger approached it in the same way. So did The Christian Intelligencer. Messiah’s Herald wrote, “We’re glad that it is being studied by men of learning and piety; and those who have a taste for study in that direction, will find many things in this volume to help them.” We do not know how Russell was introduced to Seiss’ book. He probably heard of it from various sources. The Pittsburgh Dispatch reviewed it, saying: “The lectures of Dr. Seiss are as remarkable for the polished beauty of their construction, as for the information which they contain. That mysterious pillar, the Great Pyramid of Gizeh, its relation to ancient history, modern discoveries, and Bible connections, are thoroughly canvassed in this volume.” If we are to fault Russell at all, it is for believing the theory long after its defects were apparent.
[1] The Great Pyramid, Bible Examiner, 1875, page 233 ff.
[2] 1861 New York Tribune Almanac, page 3.
[3] T. De Witt Talmage: Lesson of the Pyramid, The Peekskill, New York, Highland Democrat, October 24, 1891.
[4] C. T. Russell: The Year 1881, Zion’s Watch Tower, May 1881, page 5.
https://www.amazon.com/Separate-Identity-Organizational-Readers-1870-1887/dp/1304969401
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Vidiot
Alex Jones is IN DA HOUSE!!!
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sparrowdown
The monument Rutherford erected for Russell.
Smythe's Monument.
These guys were pyramid buddies - apparently it was a thing.
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vienne
Vid, you made me laugh.
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Diogenesister
http://tjrecherches.chez.com/freemason1.htm
http://www.chez.com/tjrecherches/freemason2.htm
http://www.multimania.com/xmd/Pyramide/debuga.htm
A
An interesting and still available piece of research by French exJW'S on the subject of Russell's being a mason. The conclusion seems to be not, given that some of his ex-mason Bible student readers had to correct anachronisms in his writings.
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Finkelstein
All the investigations that's been dome concerning if Russell was a Mason have proven false but he did derive some ideologies from this organization and he did use Freemason Halls as he traveled about giving public talks.
The probable reason why JWS places of worship are called Halls from the use of Freemason Halls.
Nevertheless it would fair to say Russell was a freewheeling self determined ideological individualist.
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_Morpheus
Downvote me all you want , crackpot. I will never fail to speak out about Crazy ramblings like rothchilds and world takeovers by jews and whatever the hell else keeps you up at night
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TD
....apparently it was a thing.
It (pyramidology) was indeed.
Stylish women at the time were actually wearing winged sun broaches.
The fascination in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was called the "Egyptian Revival" and was embodied in art and architecture as the Art Deco movement.
If some could be troubled to actually become familiar with the time period, then thirteen-year-old threads wouldn't be resurrected over and over...
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St George of England
What does it matter if Russell was a Mason or not? It was the 1950's before being a Mason and a JW was frowned upon; I can remember several brothers who belonged to the local Lodge when I was a youngster. Masonic Halls were also hired for Circuit assemblies.
George