Hi Maximus,
Jan is quite right in citing Jim Penton's excellent summarizing what the charismatic Mac did as "Macchiavellian." He was the enforcer. Don't measure internal feelings by external actions. Happens all the time. The end justifies the means. (If you have not read Penton, you should.)
It's been a few years since reading Penton's work, so the information is a little foggy. I'll need to review it again to bring some points back into focus. From what I remember, Russell didn't want the mantle of leadership passed to Rutherford, and many (if not most) Bible Students were loyal to Russell. I assume MacMillan felt the same way, yet he was a great force in maneuvering the mantle of leadership against the wishes of the Elijah-like Russell. I wonder why MacMillan helped sabotage the Elijah-like mantel of leadership that rested with Russell by redirecting its intended shoulders (which was not Rutherford)? If MacMillan really believed God was backing this Elijah-like mantel through Russell, why did he sabotaged the process Russell had in place after he died. Wouldn't MacMillan think he was going against the arrangement God had in place?
Guess I better take another look at Penton's work.
--JAVA
...counting time at the Coffee Shop