I do not see the resemblance of the Modern Day Watchtower Society that constantly is "hinting", "begging", "prodding" and "whispering" for money to keep the "Good News" to Brother Russells Watchtower, do you? We definitly have two different groups of men, one Watchtower who returned money to those who they felt were not able to give the gifts they sent and another that would take the widow's last mite and allow her to sell her to give away her house and everything, leaving her no place to live. The Organization would gladly accept that as sacrifice so Bethel Reps could fly around the World in First Class Airplanes to dedicate Branches and sign New Bibles for all to enjoy. "A Tale of Two Towers" it so obviously no the Christian Organization Russell wanted, he would excommunicate them all for greed!
How many Watchtowers have you read where a family in Africa sells their last cow to send money to build a Kingdom Hall and the local Branch send's the money back because they know the family is too destitute to give such a large donation for their circumstances, you dont! The Modern Watchtower is the exact opposite of what Brother Russell wanted it to be, they are nothing more than a Shell Corp for money extraction from the poorest and lowest individuals on the social ladder and poverty scale. Again, could you see this Watchtower sending money back to a family because they read the letter and realized the family had no business in giving too much? Times have changed towards the greedy side of the Magazines.
It's obvious by his writing at this point in his life to write this would cause people to watch their wallet and pocket-book. You will never find this style of candor and honest evaluation of gift giving in the Watchtower now because they don't have the faith Jehovah is going to fend for them so they must beg and prod at every meeting the publishers attend.
""to squeeze the tithes from the people, that the people were free to do as they pleased, although the tenth of all increase was demanded by the Law. All of the consecrated are of the antitypical "royal priesthood" for whom God will provide, and who are to engage somehow in self-sacrifice in God's service. The saints are, therefore, typified by the tithe-takers and not by the tithe-payers; and besides, among them are not many great or rich --chiefly they are of the poor, rich in faith only. We assured him that we believed that we had done our full duty in placing before the consecrated an opportunity to share in the Lord's work through the general fund of the WATCH TOWER TRACT SOCIETY, used for publishing and circulating tracts by the million, to forward the translating of DAWN and Tracts in other languages, and to assist in colporteuring the DAWNS and Tracts. Those who are of a willing mind need no prodding and, so far as we know, are doing all that they can do in this way. We have even returned money to some we had reason to believe from their own letters were giving beyond their ability. We assured him that our commission from the Lord was not to beg, or even to "make a poor mouth" to thus excite pity and draw money , but merely to preach the gospel and leave to the Lord to provide (in his own way) the things needful for ourselves and for his work. "
