Charles Taze Russell began Zion's Watch Tower in July of 1879. But the earliest clue I could find in its pages that Bible Students celebrated birthdays was in the Nov. 15, 1905 issue, which offered for sale copies of "Heavenly Manna" sugggested for birthday and Christmas gifts. On April 1, 1907 it was announced that the new edition of the "Manna" would "contain the same texts and comments as the former one, but will have twice as many pages. Every alternate leaf will be blacked ruled, for use as an Autograph and Birthday Record." "WHEN SELECTING CHRISTMAS GIFTS. Remember the new MANNA Birthday books, 35c each in cloth; $1.00 each in fine Morocco, postpaid."
In the Feb. 15, 1909 ZWT when reporting on "The Jacksonville (Florida) Convention," comments on the observance of the birthday of the founder of the Watch Tower Society, Charles Taze Russell. "On the closing day of the Convention Brother Russell was ushered to the platform on a pretext and there informed that the Convention, aware of the fact that the day was the anniversary of his birth, desired to express their love in some substantial manner and, concluding that Brother Russell would most enjoy a birthday token which he could enjoy with the Bible House family, they had shipped to him at Allegheny a box of grape fruit, a crate of pineapples and two boxes of sweet Florida oranges. He was handed the receipted bill and express receipt, accompanied by some very comforting words by the chairman of the Convention meeting in the name of the entire Convention. He spoke with a great deal of feeling, in which the eyes of quite a number of the audience showed deep sympathy. Brother Russell replied in a few words, thanking the dear friends and assuring them of his appreciation of their gift, but telling them that, most of all, he appreciated the love that prompted it and wished them to know that next to the Lord's love and esteem he prized the love of the brethren."
MUSHY!
In the April 15, 1910 Z.W.T. appeared a poem by the Class at Nashau, N.H. entitled "Birthday Greetings."
Considering that Russell's birthday was at the end of October, there appeared this belated announcement in the Feb. 15, 1911 issue: "PLEASE ACCEPT BROTHER RUSSELL'S THANKS" "Brother Russell's birthday brought a shower of telegrams and loads of letters and cards. He highly appreciates these evidences of love of the dear friends in every quarter. He would have delight in answering each personally, but the interests of the general work forbid. He requests that the dear friends accept THE WATCH TOWER twice a month as his answer to their letters."
Puleezzz!
In the July 1, 1911 number of Z.W.T. was offered for sale "Post-Cards. An excellent assortment of Scripture post-cards of our selection, both birthday and for general use. Price, 20c per doz.; $1.50 per 100 assorted, postpaid (40 birthday and 60 general)."
In the April 1, 1914 issue M.L. Stapleton sent Russell a letter accompanied with money as a present for his birthday. The following is Russell's response:
"DEAR BROTHER
"Thanks for your welcome letter written on my birthday, and for the money that was enclosed. My earthly needs are few, and these are abundantly supplied by the WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY--food, shelter and $1 per month for clothing and incidentals. Your donation, therefore, received with much appreciation, is turned in the Tract Fund for the general use of the work--printing tracts, sending out Pilgrims, and now the presentation of the Divine Plan in the PHOTO-DRAMA OF CREATION.--"
There are a few other mentions of birthdays celebrated by readers of the Watch Tower, but I have chosen only those that specifically mention Russell. While the founder and president of the Watch Tower Society and his followers continued to celebrate their birthdays, it was to later be discontinued sometime after Russell's death when "new light" came forth from the next president of the Watch Tower Society, Judge Rutherford, revealing that birthdays were pagan in origin. He put an end to that and numerous other things the early members believed and particpated in.