"Other people than my own," explained Pastor Russell, "wouldn't believe that this wheat contains extraordinary qualities. It is too much of a miracle for them to comprehend."
That is an incredible statement to make, it's a pity he didn't print that in his own publications but I think reporters in those days were much more reputable and would not have reported it if he didn't say it.
Firstly he states that HE owns his people and that he can make them believe whatever he tells them to believe. It's fine for the Watchtower to claim that Russell didn't personally make anything financially from the sale but the Watchtower did, he basically owned the Watchtower and 'owned' his followers through the use of this instrument. Even though the Watchtower would not admit to this, it is more damning that the sale and profits were directly attributed to them rather than an individual person (being Russell). The fact remains that Russell was personally responsible for this.
Although the defenders spent much more effort in portraying Russell as being innocent of all this, it is the organization that is supposed to be the earthly part of God's Kingdom and in the spotlight. In reality, back then, Russell was the organization but it's interesting that they focus on Russell and not the organization.
It also goes beyond the idea that 'miracle wheat' was just given that name or label by the original owner, with the suggestion that there was no claim that it was miraculous, his statement shows that he did want to convey that it was.
W 53 5/15 Brother Russell neither named it nor profited from it
Yearbook 75 The conduct of Brother Russell and the Society in connection with Miracle Wheat was completely open and aboveboard.
You are doing some fantastic research on this ILoveTtatt, you are furthering the proof that the above claim is false and that this claim that they have maintained even in 1975 was also not completely open and aboveboard. Interesting though, not only was Bro. Russell unblemished with this affair but the Society was also.
I wonder what is more damning, that Russel went along with this scam in the first place or the claims and excuses that the Watchtower make 60 years later.