so a few months ago, a friend sent me an actual copy of finished mystery which was published in 1917 (not a pdf download... the actual book).
i must say, this was the most disturbing book i have ever had the displeasure of reading.
but i only read it because this was the main publication that was being distributed worldwide when jesus supposedly chose the watchtower in 1918 and i basically wanted to see for myself what jesus saw in the wt that would compel him to choose this religious corporation over all other religious denominations.. anyway, if anyone is interested in knowing the actual contents of this book, here are some bullet points i put together from some of the notes i took as i read the book:.
Thanks to our friend Atlantis there is a well-organized collection of links to many early publications -- including The Finished Mystery, Vol 7 (this PDF may, or may not, be the same edition that Alfred so kindly reviewed).
The thread:
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/203891/1/Archives
The link to the Finished Mystery:
Len
so a few months ago, a friend sent me an actual copy of finished mystery which was published in 1917 (not a pdf download... the actual book).
i must say, this was the most disturbing book i have ever had the displeasure of reading.
but i only read it because this was the main publication that was being distributed worldwide when jesus supposedly chose the watchtower in 1918 and i basically wanted to see for myself what jesus saw in the wt that would compel him to choose this religious corporation over all other religious denominations.. anyway, if anyone is interested in knowing the actual contents of this book, here are some bullet points i put together from some of the notes i took as i read the book:.
I found the confirmation I wanted in Watchtower's own pages, same date of 1917.
It has been the privilege of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY since its organization to send out brethren designated as pilgrims, or lecturers, to proclaim this glorious message to those who have hearing ears. The Lord gave the harvest message to the Laodicean church, the faithful ones of whom compose the "feet members" of Christ; and he gave it through his especially chosen servant, according to his promise. (Matthew 24:45-47) All the "feet members" who are now engaged in proclaiming this precious message received their enlightenment by partaking of the "food" which the Lord sent through his chosen servant. THE WATCH TOWER unhesitatingly proclaims Brother Russell as "that faithful and wise servant." He delivered the message faithfully, finished his course and has now entered into his reward. Through him the Lord gave to the church the message that is so essential to each one who in this harvest time would win the glorious prize.
The WATCH TOWER and Herald of Christ's Presence, March 1, 1917
I love Rutherford's endorsement there of Russell, "unhesitatingly proclaims" -- nothing quiet or private there.
The above is a transcription where I copied from an electronic copy, corrected the OCR errors, and presented it here. I'd rather see a good-quality scanned copy. Len
so a few months ago, a friend sent me an actual copy of finished mystery which was published in 1917 (not a pdf download... the actual book).
i must say, this was the most disturbing book i have ever had the displeasure of reading.
but i only read it because this was the main publication that was being distributed worldwide when jesus supposedly chose the watchtower in 1918 and i basically wanted to see for myself what jesus saw in the wt that would compel him to choose this religious corporation over all other religious denominations.. anyway, if anyone is interested in knowing the actual contents of this book, here are some bullet points i put together from some of the notes i took as i read the book:.
Hi Alfred,
What a great amount of work that you've done in order to summarize it for us. Thank you very much.
I enjoyed point number 1, "Charles Taze Russell is the faithful and wise servant (p.4)"
That point confirms a great Watchtower teaching flip-flop. The say the following about that teaching:
*** jv chap. 28 p. 626 Testing and Sifting From Within *** . In 1881, Brother Russell himself had expressed the view that that "servant" was made up of the entire body of faithful spirit-anointed Christians. He saw it as being a collective servant, a class of persons who were united in doing God’s will. (Compare Isaiah 43:10.) This understanding was reaffirmed by the Bible Students in 1927.
Of course, what they cleverly neglect to disclose to the modern flock is that there was this in-between belief that Russell was, by Watchtower teaching, the "slave". Oh, they kind of quietly allude to it, saying to the effect that he admitted it, but only in private conversations. I'd like to shout (if we can get double-confirmation on that point number 1 above) that this 1917 publication (under Rutherford's control, Rutherford's ratification of Russell's belief) that Russell himself was certified as the discreet slave for some period of time.
This, in effect, gives us another instance of their growing list of teaching flip-flops.
Len
in the early 30's, it was a humble cartoon beginning.
steve palooka (i don't know where he fit in?
i thought it was joe) became the champion of the ongoing great depression.. .
Hmmm .... just learned that Joe Palooka's younger brother Steve was the fictional middlweight champion. May as well keep it all in the family.
Len
in the early 30's, it was a humble cartoon beginning.
steve palooka (i don't know where he fit in?
i thought it was joe) became the champion of the ongoing great depression.. .
In the early 30's, it was a humble cartoon beginning
Steve Palooka (I don't know where he fit in? I thought it was Joe) became the champion of the ongoing Great Depression.
Some war propaganda was a natural with such a champion.
As today, his brand would hawk certain products.
Somewhat racy for the period, my folks probably shielded me from this one.
some 55 years ago when i was thinking of going to bethel one of our locals came home on furlough and shared with me much about living there and witnessing there.
he told me that jws are so dense in population that you'll call on the same residence every two weeks.
i didn't like that idea.
Some 55 years ago when I was thinking of going to Bethel one of our locals came home on furlough and shared with me much about living there and witnessing there. He told me that JWs are so dense in population that you'll call on the same residence every two weeks. I didn't like that idea. Maybe that's one of the things that turned me off. Just maybe he was pulling my leg -- what do you think?
How is territory coverage in the various boroughs nowadays?
Len
our friend living the dream has written a wealth of his experiences when at bethel -- all of them well told.
i had a bit of spare time tonight and decided i would search for the ones i missed.
well, google doesn't cut it.
Hi AudeSapere,
I think the writer neutralizes some of my own memories and that allows me to put things in better perspective and heal without completely villifying the people who played such a big part in my life for 25 years.
That's my feelings, as well. And I hope when he gets done with this series he can do as you and I hope for -- his own awakening period. However, in retrospect, perhaps this series is exactly that. Perhaps these very experiences became his awakening.
Len
our friend living the dream has written a wealth of his experiences when at bethel -- all of them well told.
i had a bit of spare time tonight and decided i would search for the ones i missed.
well, google doesn't cut it.
Our friend Living The Dream has written a wealth of his experiences when at Bethel -- all of them well told. I had a bit of spare time tonight and decided I would search for the ones I missed. Well, Google doesn't cut it. However, by going to his Topics Started pages they are all there. Help yourself.
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/member/39418/started/1
Len
does anyone have scans of certain golden age magazines?
specifically, i'm looking for the following articles:.
"the ehret system of elimination", golden age, march 20, 1929, p.
One of our online friends pointed me to this link:
http://watchtowerbooksstore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=37
That has the first issue, although in poor condition, on my above list for $20 . If I get it I will scan it myself and ask for help in publishing in some compact format. As I don't have OCR capability it would end up as a raw scan as seems typical of most Golden Age's I've seen.
Hey Leo, does that mean that other metro libraries may also have similar? I'll be in Houston in April and Rice U. has some great resources. The city has a huge lib as well.
Thanks for that offer, JV. If push comes to shove I know how to get to get in touch.
Len
if you are interested in the writings of george storrs, you will be excited to learn that one of the biggest finds in old adventist literature is now on barbara anderson's website, www.watchtowerdocuments.com.
the book is mentioned in jehovah's witnesses-proclaimers of god's kingdom, page 48 in the footnote as follows:.
*the expression "watch tower" is not unique to russell's writings or to jehovah's witnesses.
Hi Atlantis,
Sorry I'm tardy in checking back here.
I got your PM and appreciate your help there.
Len Miller
