A GREAT BATTLE IN THE ECCLESIASTICAL HEAVENS

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AS SEEN BY A LAWYER

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AN INTERNATIONAL CASE

REVIEWED BY

J. F. RUTHERFORD, OF THE NEW YORK CITY BAR

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2 IN THE MORNING DANIEL WAS FOUND UNINJURED.

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3 A GREAT BATTLE IN THE ECCLESIASTICAL HEAVENS

AS SEEN BY A LAWYER

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CATHOLICS, EPISCOPALIANS, )

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METHODISTS, LUTHERANS, )

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BAPTISTS, PRESBYTERIANS, ET AL )

_______________________________) PLAINTIFFS

VERSUS

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ONE MAN )

_________________) DEFENDANT

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WHY THE GREAT CONTROVERSY?

THE MOTIVE PROMPTING IT!

THE CHARGES MADE!

THE ANSWERS THERETO!

WHAT WILL BE THE RESULT?

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"Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven *** that those things which cannot be shaken may remain."—Heb 12:26,27.

COPYRIGHTED, 1915 BY J. F. RUTHERFORD NEW YORK CITY

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4

FOREWARD.

CERTAIN leading clergymen, representing numerous church denominations, such as Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Christian, Lutheran, United Brethren, and certain Catholic bishops, priests and prelates, have united in their cause of action against ONE MAN. They are assailing him from every conceivable quarter, using all possible means, foul or fair, to destroy that ONE MAN’S influence and power. They seek to enlist very possible agency, willing or unwilling, to aid them in their unrighteous conflict. They have precipitated the biggest ecclesiastical disturbance ever known. The noise of their battle is heard to the uttermost parts of the earth and their dust is blinding many people. The Ecclesiastical Heavens are being shaken with great violence. Who will fall? Who will remain unshaken?

As statements of judges and attorneys have been quoted by these allied forces, and without warrant used as a pretext for their attack, and used also as a basis for peculiar newspaper stories, the writer of this booklet feels duty bound to review the case and publish the facts to the world.

J. F. RUTHERFORD

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5 A GREAT BATTLE IN THE ECCLESIASTICAL HEAVENS

BELLIGERENTS FORESHADOWED

THIS is the day of big things! Big enterprises, big trusts, big alliances and big fights! A big battle always creates much noise and attracts some attention. This ecclesiastical disturbance is no exception!

In every great controversy there must be at least two parties.

Usually on is wrong and the other right. Each will claim to be right. Each one may be conscientious. Conscience, however, is not always a safe moral guide. It will depend on whether or not that conscience has been educated according to the divine rule.

It is sometimes difficult for even the unbiased to determine who has the right of the controversy. There is one Guide we can always safely follow.

THE SAFE GUIDE

Jehovah governs the Universe by fixed laws and rules, which we call principles. The man who acts in harmony therewith is governed by principle. The one who acts contrary thereto is controlled by passion. The parties to a great fight may be foreshadowed, and the right or wrong thereof be determined, by the application of these fixed principles.

Most men claim to be conscientious, and we credit them with so being, but their conscience is often guided by the wrong influence. To determine the right of the controversy we must ascertain the Divine rule and apply it. The majority are measurably controlled by passion and not by principle. For this reason the man who occupies an honorable position among men holds a place of great responsibility.

CLERGYMEN WHO SOIL THEIR SACRED VESTURE

A Minister of the Gospel occupies a most honorable position. A good man in such a place is a power for good, but when a Clergyman uses the garb of his sacred office to accomplish a selfish purpose, or to vent his

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6 Servants of God or of Satan?

spleen against one with whom he differs, he not only violates his obligation to God, but degrades himself and dishonors the cause of Christianity.

There are but two Great Masters—God and Satan. Every person serves one or the other of these Masters. God puts in operation good principles always. His Law furnishes an absolutely perfect guide. Satan exercises an evil power always. He is the father of falsehood, misrepresentation and abuse. Do all clergymen serve the same Master? "Ye are servants of him whom ye obey." "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His." (See Appendix for further proof on this point.)

HOLY WRIT SAYS, "SPEAK EVIL OF NO MAN"

Every Clergyman is presumed to be a Christian. Sometimes this is a vile presumption. Plainly God’s Word says to Christians, "Speak evil of no man." "Who art thou that judgest another!"

"Thou shalt not bear false witness." "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord." Sad indeed it is to see professed Christians, contrary to these Divine rules, resorting to slander, misrepresentation and vilification of a Christian gentleman who is giving his life to teaching the people to follow Christ. Even if the charges made by them were true no justification could be found in the Scriptures for uttering them, but when the charges are made in utter disregard of the truth and with the avowed purpose of doing injury we are constrained to ask, Are these the servants of God or the servants of Satan?

Every great man and every good cause has mortal enemies. Great truths are dearly bought. Great reformations have had to fight every inch of the way to triumph! For nearly a half century the defendant in this case has been a shining light in the world, battling for good, that the eyes of men might be opened to a realization of the goodness of God manifested in His Plan towards mankind. He has fearlessly held forth the light of Biblical Truth, and as it has shone with increased brilliancy his assailants have become more venomous.

LIGHT ATTRACTS BUGS—BIG BUGS, LITTLE BUGS, BLIND BUGS

There is a reason for every willful act. There is a controlling motive back of this great fight. Jesus said, "Darkness hates the Light." Error abides in darkness. The brilliancy of a light attracts blind bugs—big bugs as well as lesser ones—which vainly try to destroy the light and usually succeed in destroying themselves. As the defendant herein has held forth the light of Divine Truth and led thousands of honest Christians away from error, away from the bondage of various man-made

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7 The Unholy Alliance systems and out of darkness and into the glorious light of God, his enemies have exhibited a greater degree of ferociousness toward him.

UNHOLY ALLIANCE

ENEMIES FOR CENTURIES NOW BECOME STRANGE BED-FELLOWS

It is a well-known fact that for centuries Catholics and Protestants have been deadly enemies, and the Ecclesiastical Heavens have long been in turmoil because of the mortal combat between them. In the controversy we are here examining, Catholics and Protestants have united in a campaign of persecution. Enemies for centuries now become bed-fellows—strange bed-fellows these! Doubtless many who are following their leaders, however, are blind, and verily believe they are doing God service, by assaulting the great light bearer.

The public press exercises a mighty power, either for good or for evil. It has been a marvelous factor in the education of the people; therefore a power for good. When, however, the press is used by selfish and designing men as an instrument for the destruction of the good name of a fellow-man it then becomes a power for evil. A few unscrupulous newspapers, headed by The Brooklyn Eagle, always willing to be used as instruments for the promulgation of sensational and scandalous matter, have joined the aforesaid alliance and taken up the cudgel against One Man, the defendant.

The vulgar and the scandal monger, eager to ply their vocation, have joined the ranks and are performing their part.

SAME OLD GAME OF THE PHARISEES AGAINST ONE MAN

Back of this motley brigade, and constituting the real brains thereof, are certain keen, intellectual, far-seeing and designing men, who, without authority from the Lord, have taken the title of, "Reverend," "Doctor of Divinity," "Cardinal" or "Priest." Long have these rested in ease and comfort, as the Prophet describes them (Isa 56:10, 11), while their poor parishioners have fed upon husks until they are famished.—Amos 8:11, 12.

Long have these designing men kept their flocks in bondage by keeping them in the dark. Now God’s Day of Reckoning is at hand.

Seeing their berths of comfort and popularity in danger, the walls of the Babylonish systems crumbling, while many of their former supporters are hastily withdrawing in obedience to God’s command (Re 18:4), these men, without regard to religious belief or sectarian affiliation, in sheer desperation have joined hands against ONE MAN, the defendant, and have summoned to their aid all whom they can induce, cajole or coerce, and are exerting all their power in trying to stem the tide of Truth rapidly rising against them, striving to

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8 Object of Attack save their positions of ease. The ONE MAN has turned the light upon them, exposing them to the gaze of the people. "Darkness hates the Light." This Unholy Alliance is straining every nerve and sinew to destroy this ONE MAN, his influence and his work.

It is the same old game of the Pharisees. It is history repeating itself.

EVEN GOOD JOHN WESLEY’S WIFE JOINED HIS PERSECUTORS

The same class assaulted St. Paul and persecuted him to the death. Martin Luther and other great reformers were victims of a like element. The great and good John Wesley was another victim his own wife joining his persecutors. The same Pharisaical class defamed the Lord Jesus when He was on earth. They called in question the legitimacy of His birth, applied all manner of vile epithets to Him, denounced Him as an enemy of the government, and finally caused His crucifixion. Having in mind that similar treatment would be meted out to His faithful servants, Jesus said, "The servant is not greater than his Lord; if they have persecuted Me they also will persecute you."

This case will be of special interest to lawyers and others who have in mind the illegal trial of our Master. Verily, human nature has not changed, even in this twentieth century of enlightenment!

PAPAL ROME AND HER MONGREL PROGENY AGAINST ONE MAN

In the case here we see Greek Catholics, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Gentiles and Jews, Presbyterians and Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, Congregationalists, etc., etc., not only in America, but in Canada, in Europe, and from the four corners of the earth, united for the avowed purpose of overthrowing this ONE MAN.

The fight against Martin Luther seems a pigmy compared with this one. In Luther’s case it was Papal Rome against one man. In this case it is Papal Rome and all her mongrel progeny against One Man. Who is the ONE... MAN, the defendant

THE GREATEST LIVING PREACHER

In this case? PASTOR RUSSELL! He is the most talked of preacher in the world. He preaches to more people than any living man.

Even his enemies concede that much. The Editor Afield of The Continent a member of the unholy combine and one of its spokesmen, recently said of Pastor Russell: "His writings are said to have greater newspaper circulation every week than those of any other living man; a greater, doubtless, than the

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9 Ordination Cards combined circulation of the writings of all the priests and preachers in North America; greater even than the work of Arthur Brisbane, Norman Hapgood, George Horace Lorimer, Dr. Frank Crane, Frederick Haskins, and a dozen other of the best known editors and syndicate writers put together."

Herein lies one of the causes for the attack by the allied forces. Some history will here be recalled with interest.

PREACHERS’ UNION AND HOW ORDINATION CARDS TO PREACH ARE ISSUED

For nearly three hundred years after Martin Luther’s day there was a gradual development of Protestant denominational churches.

Trouble would start in one denomination; a division would result; some would withdraw, and the seceders would organize a new denomination. Each seceding class became known by some sectarian name, such as "Baptists," "Methodists," "Campbellites,’ "Congregationalists," "United Brethren," "River Brethren," "Christadelphians," etc. Each sect, by its own authority, authorized certain persons to preach, and seemingly no one had any special objections to this until about 1840.

The Bible teaches that THE Church is one, the Body of Christ, whereas the Protestant Systems, each claiming to be "The Church," number nearly two hundred. Because of this apparent inconsistency, they feared that all their organizations would be brought into disrepute, and therefore there should be some alliance between all of them; hence, in 1846, the "Evangelical Alliance" was formed. While allied, each sect formed its own Ordination Boards, which boards exercised the power of ordaining or authorizing others to preach.

One of the rules resulting from this Alliance has been, and now is, that no one shall be allowed to preach unless he has received an ordination at the hands of one of these "Ordaining Boards" already existing. Anyone attempting to preach without being licensed or formally ordained by one of these "Ordaining Boards" is branded as a scab preacher.

This Alliance has become virtually a Preachers’ Union, and an edict has gone forth that if anyone desires to preach he must get a union card (ordination); otherwise he is irregular. Some of the independent thinkers have held aloof from this Alliance, claiming the right to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience and to exercise the liberty of free speech.

HELL-FIRE GONE, COLLECTIONS COME SLOWLY

The defendant herein, Pastor Russell, has refused to accept such man-made ordination, recognizing the Scriptural method provided by the Lord, and none

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10 Seats Free—No Collections

other. He has refused to be forced into the Combine; hence Tim Combine seeks to force him to quit preaching. One of their strong men engaged Pastor Russell in debate, hoping thereby to discredit his scholarship and teaching. This acted as a boomerang to the allied forces, because the debate exposed the fallacy of the doctrines long taught by these systems, causing many of their flocks to flee from them. One honest member of the Alliance who heard that debate said to Pastor Russell, "I am glad to see you turn the hose on hell and put out the fire."

Hell-fire gone, the collections come slowly.

PREACHERS’ ALLIANCE, IN DESPERATION, ASSAILS "SEATS FREE AND NO COLLECTION" ADVERTISED BY ONE MAN

Then Pastor Russell adopted a kind of trade-mark on all of his announcements—"Seats Free, No Collection"—and the Alliance concluded that this was a reflection on their constant begging for money, and therefore another cause for anger. For some time now the poor fellows have had great difficulty in inducing the people to part with their money. Their congregations have been reduced to a handful, while thousands flock to hear Pastor Russell. The people prefer to go and hear the ONE MAN where the "seats are free and no collections," and where they can get some comforting food.

Unable to successfully combat the shafts of Bible Truths shot forth by this great modern religious reformer, his enemies have resorted to the old device of throwing sand in the people’s eyes by attacking his private life and business methods. If a bad man reforms and becomes a preacher for one of these systems his past deeds are forgotten and he is heralded as a hero in their cause, no matter what he believes, nor the character of the language used to express his belief.

But when a good man, such as the defendant herein, who has a clean private life, boldly proclaims "the faith once delivered to the saints" and exposes the errors of the Dark Ages which have long held the people in bondage, all conceivable charges are trumped up by his enemies, and these magnified, for the manifest purpose of preventing the people from seeing the Truths he is teaching.

SOME NOTABLE EXCEPTIONS IN PREACHERS’ UNHOLY ALLIANCE

Do not understand me to say that all the preachers are in this Unholy Alliance. There are exceptions. Thus is the rule proven.

There are some good Christian gentlemen in the ministry who are, no doubt, doing the best they know to serve the Lord, but these are taking no part in this unholy warfare

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11 Creation Photo-Drama

The active members of the Unholy Alliance, however, have grown desperate. Their operations are not confined to a single Community. They have carried the fight into every State in the Union; every province of Canada: throughout Great Britain; the European Continent; China; Japan; India; Australia and the Islands of the Sea.

Members of this Preacher’s Union or Alliance caused thousands of extra copies of their favorite medium of slander and libel—The Brooklyn Daily Eagle—to be printed and sent all over the world. As soon as announcement is made that Pastor Russell is to be in a certain city to speak, this reprint of the Brooklyn Eagle puts in its appearance and is freely distributed. Some people are deceived into believing that the Brooklyn Eagle is one of the greatest papers printed; whereas, although published in the great city of New York, its regular circulation only about 25,000.

POPULARITY OF THIS MAN PROVOKES PREACHERS’ UNION

It is a well-known fact that Pastor Russell’s sermons are published each week in hundreds of newspapers in different parts of the world. This provokes the members of the Alliance, and in nearly every country of the world they have held meetings and passed resolutions denunciatory of Pastor Russell and his work; and they try to coerce the newspapers, by threats of boycotting and other means, to cease printing his sermons.

As an illustration, we cite the four-column editorial in the Evening Journal, of Wilmington, Delaware, December 4th, 1914, setting forth how the Ministerial Union tried to force that paper to cease the publication of Pastor Russell’s sermons.

There are many similar occurrences throughout the country.

OVER 9,000,000 SEE HIS CREATION DRAMA FREE

Pastor Russell, the defendant herein, is the author of the Photo-Drama of Creation. It is a wonderful production. The Bible story, beginning with creation, is set forth in an orderly manner to modern times. This beautiful story is told to the people, assembled in public halls, by means of a phonograph, or talking machine, and illustrated by many artistically colored stereopticon views and motion pictures. It has attracted wide attention throughout the world, and I am authoritatively informed, by the manager of the Photo-Drama, that nine million persons have seen this great exhibition, in America alone, and that, too, "Seats Free and No Collection!"

The Photo-Drama of Creation is the greatest educational philanthropy that has been given to the world. The money to finance it was contributed by many persons who are anxious to teach the present generation the wonders

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12 Religious Intolerance of the Bible. Had the preachers done their full duty, it might not have been necessary to have the Photo-Drama, but "God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform," and so HE is using many untitled and humble-minded persons to spread the Message of glad tidings concerning Christ and His Kingdom of blessings, and pointing the people to the near end of Babylonish reign.

If our forefathers, who laid the foundation of the American Government as a land of religious freedom, could see the religious intolerance manifested by this combine of ministers, they would turn over in their graves. The methods adopted in their frantic endeavor to crush Pastor Russell and his philanthropic work are shocking to every fair-minded, liberty-loving person.

SAMPLE METHOD OF PREACHERS’ UNION

Laurel, Mississippi, is the scene of action. Mr. Nicholson, Manager in Charge of the "Drama," rented the Opera House at this place from Mr. Taylor, the owner, in which to exhibit the Photo-Drama. The two gentlemen were standing in front of the Opera House preparing for the advertisement. Mr. Taylor was delighted with the opportunity of having such a wonderful exhibition given in his house, and was congratulating himself, when along came the leading Methodist minister of the place, who is designated "The Boss of the Preachers’ Union" there.

Learning what was about to take place he became enraged, shook his fist in Mr. Nicholson’s face, exclaiming in angry tones, "You try to show these things in this town and you will have the biggest fight on your hands you ever saw; better get out of town, and get quick!" Mr. Nicholson proceeded, undaunted by this threat, to prepare for the exhibition. The Ministerial Union at once held a meeting, in which all engaged in denouncing Pastor Russell and the "Drama," except the Episcopalian minister, who stood firm for religious tolerance and common decency. The union passed resolutions against the "Drama" and Pastor Russell; then called upon the Mayor of the City and Chief of Police and induced them to notify the "Drama" Manager that it should not be exhibited in that city.

The Ministerial Union then used its power with the Electric Light Company, and induced its owners to cut off the electric current and refuse to furnish such to be used by the "Drama."

Their influence was brought to bear upon Mr. Taylor, the Opera House owner, to such an extent that he tore down the advertisements which, by his own direction, had been placed upon the billboards. The Photo-Drama Manager then went to Judge Beavours, the leading attorney of the city, and appealed to him for assistance. He is a "Lawyer of

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13 "Haberdasher"

A MODERN GAMALIEL

the Old School," who is willing to fight for the right. He at once informed the Electric Light Company and the city officials that he would apply to the courts for an injunction against them, and have them restrained from unlawfully exercising their power.

This frightened the city officials and the Electric Light Company, and the preachers weakened. They decided to not further attempt to prevent the exhibition of the Photo-Drama. The Mayor sent word to the Manager, saying, "Go ahead, only don’t knock us or the preachers." They feared the result when the people should see the pictures and know they had been so woefully misrepresented. The people came and were delighted, some saying, "We cannot understand the ministers’ opposition!"

And thus this Unholy Alliance continues its fight against the ONE MAN, who, like a mighty ship in a storm, majestically rides the waves, keeping steadily on his course to the goal. While the storm of persecution rages, the common people crowd the halls where he goes, eager to hear, in this hour of peril, the message of comfort that he brings to their hearts. The scope of his work and his influence continue to grow, and members of the Preachers’ Union gnaw their tongues, rage and imagine vain things.

CHARGES SPECIFICALLY EXAMINED AND COMPLETELY REFUTED

The defendant, Pastor Russell, is my friend. I have known him for fifteen years or more, and for several years have represented him as his legal counselor. I have carefully investigated every specific charge that has been made against him. Being familiar with the facts, especially relating to the charges against him that have been adjudicated in the courts, I deem it my duty to the public that I publish these facts.

Pastor Russell needs no defense amongst those who know him.

These lines are more especially to advise the public.

Sneeringly, his opponents refer to him as a "haberdasher" and "seller of shirts." It is true that when Pastor Russell was a young man, and before reaching his majority, he was engaged in the mercantile business, selling Gents’ Furnishing Goods, and his business ability was demonstrated by the fact that he soon was operating five different stores.

If it is a disgrace in the eyes of the Preachers’ Union for a man to labor with his hands, then surely they are welcome to all they can get out of it. Pastor Russell was in good company. We are reminded that St. Paul was a practicing lawyer for a time, and a successful one, too, and that he also made

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14 Corporations tents to provide his temporary necessities. Jesus was a carpenter. Blessed is he that labors.

PASTOR RUSSELL INCORPORATES BIBLE SOCIETY

His enemies charge that he has organized various corporations through which he conducts his religious work, and that he uses these as a means of personal and financial gain to himself, and that the corporations are merely blinds which he deceives the people. What are the facts?

In 1884 the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY was organized, and was incorporated under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, for the purpose of the mental, moral and religious improvement of men and women, by teaching the Bible by means of the publication and distribution of Bibles, books, papers, pamphlets and other Bible literature, and by providing oral lectures free for the people.

NO VOTE EVER CAST AGAINST PASTOR RUSSELL

This is a non-stock corporation; it pays no dividends, no salaries, and no one has ever, as its books clearly show, reaped any financial benefit therefrom. It is supported entirely by voluntary contributions made by those who are interested in the promulgation of Bible Truths. Its work is exclusively religious.

For each contribution of $10.00 the contributor is entitled to one voting share. While there are nearly two hundred thousand shares, and it would be an easy matter to elect some other man as president, there never has been cast a vote against Pastor Russell.

At the last election he was absent, his own votes were not cast, yet more than one hundred thousand votes of others were cast for him as president. The contributors and voters are men of strong character and many of them of superior financial standing, scattered throughout America and Canada. Such loyal supporters as these testify to the high esteem in which the president of this institution is held. Like other corporations, its business affairs are controlled by a Board of Directors.

ANOTHER CORPORATION NECESSARY

In 1909, the work of this non-sectarian religious corporation having largely increased, and Greater New York City being the most accessible place from which to direct its work, both in America and foreign lands, it was deemed, by its Board of Directors, wise to move the headquarters to Brooklyn.

I was consulted about the matter and advised that under the laws of the State of New York the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY could not have the same privileges as it enjoyed under the special statute of Pennsylvania, under which it was organized, and suggested the advisability of

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15 Corporations the organization of a similar corporation in New York State.

This suggestion was followed, and the PEOPLES PULPIT ASSOCIATION was organized under the Membership Corporation Law of New York for the identical purposes for which the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY exists. The PEOPLES PULPIT ASSOCIATION holds title to the property in New York wherein the work of said Society is conducted.

GREAT BRITAIN CORPORATION I.B.S.A.

Later it became necessary to have a European corporation in the interests of the work, a large portion of its activities being in European countries; hence a corporation was formed under the laws of Great Britain with headquarters at London, under the name of the INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION. It was organized for the identical purposes for which the parent corporation, the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, was originally organized, and all three of these corporations are practically one and the same. All contributions are made to the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, which finances all the work of the three corporations named.

Throughout the various countries of the world are classes of Bible Students who, independent of all sectarian creeds or systems, regularly assemble at their homes or public halls, for the purpose of Bible study, and these are known as "Associated Bible Students," because their work and study are in harmony with that conducted by the aforesaid corporations. None of these are corporations for profit; they pay no dividends, no salaries, and no one has ever reaped any financial benefit therefrom, but all funds thereof are used for the promulgation of Bible Truths.

UNITED STATES INVESTMENT COMPANY

Much ado has been made by his enemies about business corporations with which Pastor Russell is connected, particularly with reference to the UNITED STATES INVESTMENT COMPANY.

The fact is that this company was never a corporation in the strict sense of the word. It was a limited partnership organized under the Statutes of Pennsylvania. Its capital stock was $1,000. Pastor Russell furnished that $1,000 out of his personal means.

This company was organized for the purpose of taking title to certain property which it did take over and afterwards disposed of, and every dollar that was received therefrom went into the treasury of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, and was used for its religious work.

Pastor Russell did not receive one cent profit therefrom, nor has any other person ever reaped any pecuniary profit therefrom.

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16 Capital-Income This company has been out of existence for more than two years, and does not own anything today, even its capital stock being expended by the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY in its religious work.

There is no corporation in existence anywhere in the world in which Pastor Russell owns a single share of stock, nor in which anyone else holds any stock for his use or benefit.

PASTOR RUSSELL’S WEALTH

When Pastor Russell closed out his business, many years ago, he had upwards of a quarter of a million dollars. The greater portion he freely spent in the publication of Bible literature, which was distributed to the people without charge for the purpose of enlightening them concerning the harmonious Plan of God as taught in the Scriptures. The remainder of his wealth he transferred to the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY in harmony with and in fulfillment of an agreement between himself and wife made before their domestic troubles began.

Pastor Russell now has no money, no bank account and owns no property aside from a few personal effects, nor does anyone hold any property or money for his personal benefit.

His life for the past forty years has been devoted exclusively to religious work, during which time he has received as a monetary compensation his meals and a modest room in which to work and sleep, traveling expenses and $11 per month for incidental expenses, which amount is supplied by the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY.

The charge that he has used these corporations for his personal and private gain is absolutely false, as the books of the corporations abundantly testify. Every dollar that comes into his hands he accounts to the Society for the same.

As an illustration, it was incidentally shown in a lawsuit in which the books of the Society were necessary as evidence that on one occasion Pastor Russell was on the opposite side of the continent from New York when he was handed a draft for $10,000, payable to his own order and which he could have cashed and appropriated to his own use, but, on the contrary, he sent the draft at once to the Treasurer of the Society, authorizing him to indorse his name thereon and cash it for the benefit of the work of said Society, which was done.

On the occasion of the above lawsuit a committee of five gentlemen, experts, were appointed to audit the books of the corporation, and not one penny was found as having been misappropriated by Pastor Russell or anyone else.

I know these facts because it was necessary for me, as counsel, to go over the audit.

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17 Domestic Affairs

DOMESTIC TROUBLES

Pastor Russell was married in 1879. For the first thirteen years of their married life he and Mrs. Russell lived happily together. They were both engaged in religious work, and had been even before their marriage. A semi-monthly religious journal, THE WATCH TOWER, was published, of which Pastor Russell was and still is the editor. She became dissatisfied with his manner of conducting this journal and attempted to dictate the policy thereof. Being the head of the house, Pastor Russell would not submit to his wife’s dictating the manner of conducting his business affairs. Without notice, she voluntarily separated herself from him in 1897, nearly eighteen years after their marriage. For nearly seven years she lived separate and apart from him, he furnishing her a separate home.

In June, 1903, she filed in the Court of Common Pleas at Pittsburgh a suit for legal separation. They had been actually separated for nearly seven years. In April, 1906, the cause came on for trial before Justice Collier and a jury.

It has been remarked by a number of lawyers who have read the record in this case that "no court has ever before granted a separation upon so slight testimony as appears in this case."

The record discloses nothing except a misunderstanding between husband and wife, and which at one time was adjusted, by mutual consent. The issue being submitted to the jury they evidently concluded that, being already actually separated for a period of seven years, a legal separation might as well take place.

There never has been an absolute divorce of either of the parties.

GREATEST FISH STORY EVER MANUFACTURED

Upon the trial of this cause Mrs. Russell testified that one Miss Ball had stated to her that her husband said, "I am like a jelly-fish, I float around here and there. I touch this one and that one, and if she responds I take her to me, and if not I float on to others."

All this matter the Court struck from the record and would not permit it to go to the jury. In his charge to the jury the Judge said: "This little incident about this girl that was in the family, that is beyond the ground of the libel and has nothing to do with the case because not being put in it, and it was condoned or allowed to pass."

It is manifest that this "jelly-fish" story was entirely the product of Mrs. Russell’s imagination, and other facts which appear in the record conclusively show that it could not have been true.

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18 Domestic Affairs

Pastor Russell emphatically denied that any such thing ever occurred. It would seem unreasonable that any man would make such a statement about himself.

But the most conclusive facts disclosed by the record showing her statement to be untrue are these: Miss Ball came to them in 1889, a child of ten, and was taken into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Russell. She was treated as a member of the family. She was an orphan. She kissed both Mr. and Mrs. Russell good night each evening when she retired. They treated her as their own child.

(Court Record, pages 90, 91.) Mrs. Russell testified that the "jelly-fish" incident transpired in 1894, when the girl could not have been more than fifteen years of age. (Page 1.5, Record.) Mrs. Russell lived with her husband for three years thereafter and was separated from him seven years longer before suit was filed, or ten years after the alleged incident before she filed her suit for separation. In her complaint, or bill for separation, no reference whatever is made to the Ball or jelly-fish incident. Her husband had no notice that she intended to make such a charge, and when upon the trial it was intimated by her counsel that he expected to prove such, counsel for Pastor Russell asked for a continuance of the case, which the Court denied. Miss Ball was then living and Mrs. Russell knew where she was and could have procured her as a witness, or have had her deposition, in court. No attempt was made to procure her attendance or her deposition.

Pastor Russell could not have had her there to testify because he had no notice or intimation that his wife would attempt to bring such into the case. It is but reasonable to conclude that this jelly-fish story was manufactured for the occasion. Truly it is a great fish-story!

A CLINCHER

Another point that conclusively shows that the "jelly-fish story," or Miss Ball incident, was manufactured and untrue is this fact: Three years after the alleged incident Mrs. Russell herself selected and called together a committee of three before whom she and her husband met to discuss their differences and tried to arrange them.

Two members of that committee testified at the trial that all the differences of Mr. and Mrs. Russell were discussed and that their trouble grew out of the management of the paper, or journal. The committee decided against Mrs. Russell’s contention, and, in their language, the two "kissed and made up."

The Miss Ball or jelly-fish incident was not even intimated to this committee. (Court Record, pages 79, 113-116.)

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19 Domestic Affairs

MRS. RUSSELL TESTIFIES HER HUSBAND WAS NOT GUILTY