Thanks, Lady Lee, for this. Of course, it directly contradicts the WTS version of how the “theocracy” was established in the organization. While admitting to appointing a “Service Director” by the Society for each congregation, the official version is this was done only to facilitate work in the field service—work which Rutherford himself never engaged in, being “too busy” as he said with writing and administrative work. Also, the Society claims it was a congregation in London which asked the Society to appoint all of its officers rather than have them chosen by direct election in the congregation. That was in 1938, but this request fit in with Rutherford’s program all along.
The truth is, as you point out, that Rutherford had been planning all along to turn the WTS and the congregations of the International Bible Students into his own personal kingdom. I have also read the book 30 Years a Watchtower Slave and was appalled at the abuse and evils Rutherford committed during his all too long 25-year administration. It is clear that Rutherford no more valued human rights and freedom than any other dictator has. Starting with his purge of four of the Society’s directors after he assumed the presidency, he worked steadily on destroying the autonomy of the individual congregations and melding them into a single organization which he alone would control.
Looking at the sad state of the WTS today, we can see the roots of the tyranny it now exercises and the cult it has created in the actions of J. F. Rutherford more than ninety years ago. Rutherford’s successors have never relinquished control over the individual congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses and never will. The only course for those who value their freedom is to leave and never look back.
Quendi