I was doing a little reading in Zion's WatchTower of Feb. 15, 1900 and saw an article called, "Withdrawal Letters". This is what it said:"These are not samples to be copied by pen, but regular letter already to date and sign and can be posted unsealed for one cent each.It is a kind but plain statement of our view of the true invisible Church and its head Christ Jesus and its bondage of love as contrasted with human institutions under Synods, Confrences, and Presbyteries and held together with creed-bondage. All who get free from "Babylon" should send one of these letters to each church member with whom he associated in "Babylon". It will do them good and it will insure that you will not be misunderstood and misrepresented unintentionally. Otherwise your withdrawal is almost certain to be misrepresented as "Infidelity"-as leaving the true church and not merely leaving a human organization never recognized by the Lord nor instituted by him, but by fallible men. Order all you need with tracts and envelopes accompanying free---after getting a sample and deciding you wish to use them."
Have You Ever Heard of "Withdrawal Letters"?
by minimus 18 Replies latest jw friends
-
-
RevMalk
hmmmmm....
should I oreder one to send to 25 Columbia Heights?
-
Scully
I think the Latin phrase for those is baptismus interruptus.
I'm quite sure that such a letter received by the WTS would be followed in short order by an announcement in a congregation somewhere that the writer "has disassociated and is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses."
Love, Scully
-
minimus
I believe this was a basis for telling people before they got baptized as a JW, they should send a letter to their church in resignation.
-
bisous
way back when dinosaurs ruled the earth, my husband sent a withdrawal letter to the Catholic church.
-
RevMalk
When in all reality it was free advertising for the WBTS Book Club.
All who get free from "Babylon" should send one of these letters to each church member with whom he associated in "Babylon
-
Scully
minimus writes:
I believe this was a basis for telling people before they got baptized as a JW, they should send a letter to their church in resignation.
Yes, that seems to be the case. Funny though, how upon receiving this "kind but plain statement of our view of the true invisible Church and its head Christ Jesus and its bondage of love" the church that one was formerly attending didn't feel compelled to have someone make an announcement that So-and-so "has disassociated and is no longer a" Catholic/ Protestant/ Presbyterian/ Anglican, etc. And they certainly never instructed other members of the church, or family members, to treat the sender of this letter as though they were demonized, loathsome, Apostate? sinners of the worst kind.
Love, Scully
-
minimus
That's because Russell---not Rutherford wrote this.
-
minimus
If JWs sent a "withdrawal letter" today, I wonder what would happen??
-
Stephanus
way back when dinosaurs ruled the earth...
Now they just rule the Watchtower.