Sloppy and incomplete research could persuade someone by means of innuendo and assumption that Russell had ties to Masonry. The facts are however that nobody has been able to come up with any concrete evidence of links between Russell and Freemasonry, and Russell's recorded speeches and writings (including question and answer sessions) have demonstrably shown his lack of knowledge regarding Masonry.
Go to just about any 19th centruy Lutheran church and you'll find "masonic symbols."