Wild_Thing

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Posts by Wild_Thing

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  Testing

  by Wild_Thing in

  1. forum
  2. tech-support

  having trouble posting topics, but it might be because there are too many pictures ... not sure.

  testing .....

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  Wild_Thing

  Having trouble posting topics, but it might be because there are too many pictures ... not sure. Testing .....
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  11

  JW History in Pictures #1

  by Wild_Thing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  the death of a cult leader.

  the gaudy and ostentatiousness of the proceedings following the death of charles taze russell is really interesting to look at.

  i can't decide if it is further proof of how much of a cult they were, even back then, or how much they are just like other religions, like the catholics.

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  Wild_Thing

  The Death of a Cult Leader

  The gaudy and ostentatiousness of the proceedings following the death of Charles Taze Russell is really interesting to look at. I can't decide if it is further proof of how much of a cult they were, even back then, or how much they are just like other religions, like the Catholics. Russell was like their Pope.

  Charles Taze Russell fell ill from heart disease while traveling on a speaking circuit. After a doctor confirming he was indeed near death, Russell requested that he be wrapped in a toga (made from a bed sheet) and died at the age of 64 on Tuesday, October 31, 1916 while aboard a train traveling through Pampa, TX. His body traveled by train to Kansas City, where his body was embalmed. It was then taken by train, routed through Chicago to New York on November 3rd.

  From the Watchtower, December 1, 1916:

  When the body reached Chicago, a large number of friends had assembled at the station, and as it was necessary to transfer the casket from one depot to another, a long procession of automobiles bearing the sorrowing friends formed and followed through the city. The casket was opened during the delay here, and many took the last look at him whom they knew so well and loved so much. From Chicago the body was accompanied by a delegation, delegations from other cities joining en route to New York.
  The remains reached the Bethel Home on Saturday, where they were viewed by the Family and by members of the Congregation. On Sunday morning they were removed to The Temple and lay in state until 10 o'clock in the evening. Thousands saw them here for the last time.
  All day Saturday and Sunday representatives of congregations in many of the cities east of the Mississippi and in Canada arrived on almost every incoming train. The Temple was inadequate to accommodate them all. The lecture room below was opened for the overflow. Every inch of available space was occupied from the basement to and including the second balcony.

  
  

  Elsewhere in THE WATCH TOWER will be found a full-page view of the floral display on the rostrum. It was the finest we have ever seen on such an occasion. The scene surpassed description. The rostrum of The Temple was so completely occupied by plants, ferns, flowers and a most wonderful collection of appropriate floral designs as to leave barely room enough for the speakers and the remains of our beloved Pastor. Moreover, the entire facing of every balcony and box was artistically decorated with a great variety of ferns and flowers.
  At the foot of the casket was placed a broken pillar of flowers, fittingly representing that dear body which, like the Lord's body, had been broken in the service of the brethren; while at the head was a magnificent floral cross and crown, the cross symbolizing his share in the death of Christ, and the crown symbolizing the Crown of Glory, which we believe he now wears with our dear Lord in Heaven.

  Picture that appeared in Watchtower, December 1, 1916. Russell's funeral at Russell Temple in Manhattan.
  

  
  THREE funeral services for Charles Taze Russell were held at The Temple in New York City on Sunday, November 5, 1916, where 17 "brothers" spoke. His body was transported to Pennsylvania and ANOTHER funeral service was held at Carnegie Hall in Pittsburgh on Monday, November 6th.

  The large auditorium of the Carnegie Library in Allegheny was packed at two o'clock the following afternoon, when the fourth part of the funeral services began under the direction of Dr. W.E. Spill, representing the Pittsburgh congregation. Love and deep interest were written upon every face in this vast audience also. Every available space on the platform was used to display the rich floral offerings of every description sent by Bible Students and friends from various sections of the country.

  Russell's funeral inside Allegheny's Carnegie Hall:

  
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  6

  A few questions I need help with please.

  by Pallbearer in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  howdy folks!.

  has that title changed?

  if so, what is it now called?

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  Wild_Thing

  Much has changed. If it weren't for the high level of control and demand for loyalty from their members, it would hardly be recognizable from the religion it once was.

  If you have been away that long ... you should look like JW tv. They make this horrible cartoon now to brainwash their kids. It's weird.
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  10

  A Teenager Ran Away From Home to Get Away From the Witnesses ... in 1909

  by Wild_Thing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  okay .... i guess technically they weren't witnesses yet; they were just russellites.

  but i still think it is funny that teenagers were heading for the hills to run away from their nonsense ... even back then!.

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  Wild_Thing

  Nathan, honey ... eat a Snickers or something. You sound angry. When I first tried posting this article, for some reason, it wouldn't post. So, I hastily tried to post it again and forgot to put the source. The next day, both posts magically appeared and of course it was the one missing the source that got the most attention! Who knew!

  To make you feel better, here is the original post where I included the source: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/4822423643881472/teenager-ran-away-from-home-get-away-from-witnesses
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  10

  A Teenager Ran Away From Home to Get Away From the Witnesses ... in 1909

  by Wild_Thing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  okay .... i guess technically they weren't witnesses yet; they were just russellites.

  but i still think it is funny that teenagers were heading for the hills to run away from their nonsense ... even back then!.

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  Wild_Thing

  Yes, it is from the Brooklyn Eagle! Sorry I forgot to put my source.
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  Teenager Ran Away From Home to Get Away From Witnesses

  by Wild_Thing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  okay ... maybe they weren't called witnesses yet.

  this was when they were called russellites.

  i just find it funny that teenagers were running for the hills to get away from them, even back then!.

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  Wild_Thing

  Okay ... maybe they weren't called Witnesses yet. This was when they were called Russellites. I just find it funny that teenagers were running for the hills to get away from them, even back then!

  
  

  
  

  Appeared in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 9, 1909.
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  10

  A Teenager Ran Away From Home to Get Away From the Witnesses ... in 1909

  by Wild_Thing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  okay .... i guess technically they weren't witnesses yet; they were just russellites.

  but i still think it is funny that teenagers were heading for the hills to run away from their nonsense ... even back then!.

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  Wild_Thing

  Okay .... I guess technically they weren't Witnesses yet; they were just Russellites. But I still think it is funny that teenagers were heading for the hills to run away from their nonsense ... even back then!

  
  

  
  
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  12

  A Picture of the First Bethel

  by Wild_Thing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here is a picture of 124 columbia heights in brooklyn that russell purchased when he moved his operations to brooklyn.

  it belonged to another preacher, henry ward beecher, before he died.

  russell also bought his other properties that beecher had on hick street, which i guess would be the first assembly hall.

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  Wild_Thing

  That is amazing! Thanks for that information, dropoffyourkeylee! I had no idea he was Harriet Beecher Stowe's father. That's pretty fascinating!
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  12

  A Picture of the First Bethel

  by Wild_Thing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here is a picture of 124 columbia heights in brooklyn that russell purchased when he moved his operations to brooklyn.

  it belonged to another preacher, henry ward beecher, before he died.

  russell also bought his other properties that beecher had on hick street, which i guess would be the first assembly hall.

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  Wild_Thing

  Here is a picture of 124 Columbia Heights in Brooklyn that Russell purchased when he moved his operations to Brooklyn. It belonged to another preacher, Henry Ward Beecher, before he died. Russell also bought his other properties that Beecher had on Hick street, which I guess would be the first assembly hall. I was wondering if anyone knew if there was any connection between Russell and Beecher besides Russell just buying all his properties. It seems weird that he would buy that much property from the same person, and for the same purposes. The home on Columbia Heights was called "Beecher Bethel" before Russell bought it. After Russell bought it, it just became "Bethel" of the "House of Bethel".

  This picture appeared in the Feb. 20, 1909 edition of The Brooklyn Daily Eagle right after it was sold to Charles Taze Russell.

  
  

  Also, here is the listing that appeared in the paper before it was sold, if you want to know details about the inside. I just found it interesting.

  
  
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  1

  It's All Charles Taze Russell's Fault

  by Wild_Thing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have not been a witness for some 15 years now, and to be honest, i always gave russell a bit of a pass.

  i always thought he started the international bible students association with sincere motivations, and didn't have all the horrible rules rutherford would eventually put in place, even if he was a bit wacky (pyramidology, anyone?).

  i thought the biggest fruitcake was rutherford who changed the name to jehovah's witnesses and gave the religion a new face that looked completely different than what it did under russell.. but i have reading quite a bit about russell recently, and he was just as sinister as rutherford.

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  Wild_Thing

  I have not been a witness for some 15 years now, and to be honest, I always gave Russell a bit of a pass. I always thought he started the International Bible Students Association with sincere motivations, and didn't have all the horrible rules Rutherford would eventually put in place, even if he was a bit wacky (pyramidology, anyone?). I thought the biggest fruitcake was Rutherford who changed the name to Jehovah's Witnesses and gave the religion a new face that looked completely different than what it did under Russell.

  But I have reading quite a bit about Russell recently, and he was just as sinister as Rutherford. The only reason he moved the Watchtower to Brooklyn is because he thought he could sell more books, and he did some pretty sinister things to hide his properties from his wife when they got a divorce/separation. He treated his wife horribly. And the only thing I think he really cared about was money.

  Evidently, he was charismatic, judging by the crowds he drew and the people that got obsessed with him. He started this whole mess with his charlatan showmanship, and I squarely place blame on Russell's shoulders for this mess we are all in.

  So I just a safe place to say this to get it off my chest ... SUCK IT, RUSSELL!