Harvest Siftings

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - Eph 6:12

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY

"WHEREAS, the President of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY has this day made a statement in writing before the undersigned, who are now members of the Board of Directors, setting forth his acts done and performed since the death of Brother Russell, and his election as President:

"AND WHEREAS, we have heard a statement at length by Brothers Rutherford, Hirsh, Hoskins, Wright, Ritchie, Macmillan, Van Amburgh, Baeuerlein and others; "AND WHEREAS, it appears from the facts brought before us that Brothers I. F. Hoskins, R. H. Hirsh, A. I. Ritchie and J. D. Wright have not been legally members of the Board of Directors of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY for more than six months prior thereto, and are not now members thereof; and the necessity having arisen for a full and complete Board of Directors; and the President, acting under the power and authority conferred upon him by the terms of the Charter and the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, has appointed four members to complete said Board;

"NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the undersigned members of the Board of Directors, do hereby express our hearty approval of the acts and conduct of our President and General Manager and Executive Officer of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, which duties we desire him to continue; and we take this occasion to express our utmost confidence in him as a brother and servant in the Lord, and to commend him, with loving prayers and assurance of our support, to all who love our dear Pastor Russell and who believe that he was sent to be the guide of the Church to the end of her way;

"AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we believe that our dear Brother Rutherford is the man the Lord has chosen to carry on the work that yet remains to be done in Pastor Russell’s name and in the name of the Lord; and that no other in the Church is as well qualified as he to do this work; or could have received at the Lord’s hand greater evidences of His love and favor; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President be, and he is hereby requested to prepare a full statement of the facts leading up to the conditions now existing in the work at Brooklyn; and a full statement of the necessity arising for the appointment of members of the Board of Directors and why the same is done; and such other facts as may be necessary in this connection for the good and welfare of the Church at large; and that said statement be published if deemed necessary.

"In the name of the Master of the Harvest, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen! "A. N. Pierson, "W. E. Spill, "W. E. Van Amburgh, "J. A. Bohnet, "Brooklyn, New York, "A. H. Macmillan, "July 17th, 1917." "Geo. H. Fisher."

THE EVIL ONE AGAIN ATTEMPTS TO DISRUPT THE SOCIETY

CONFIDENTIAL STATEMENT OF FACTS BY REQUEST

To International Bible Students scattered throughout world:

Dear Brethren in Christ: In this hour of sorrow, mingled with joy, we think of the words of St. Peter, so appropriate at this time: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fire among you that is to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you." (1 Peter 4:12.) Time and again our dear Pastor warned us of this coming time, and now it is here. In The Watch Tower under date of 1897, page 44 he said: "Fiery trials are therefore to be expected by all of the Lord’s people, especially in this day of the Lord. As surely as we are sons of God we shall have them; and when they come we should promptly recognize their mission to us and see that we are exercised by them unto godliness, sobriety and deep and fervent piety."

Who then, will be able to stand? The Lord answers, Everyone whose heart is perfect. -2Ch 16:9.

Seeing the activities of the Adversary, and that a great trial was coming, I had hoped and prayed that the Church might be spared from it if it be the Lord’s will, but evidently it is His will that the fire shall burn out all dross; that only the refined gold shall remain. I assure you, dear brethren, that in making this statement I have no unkind feeling toward anyone. As I search my heart I am sure it is perfect toward all. The Lord is my judge. I feel, under the circumstances, that I owe it to you to take you into my confidence and make a plain statement of the facts, and then let each of you judge as to what seemeth good, and may the Lord guide you in hearing. I ask each one of you to be calm, watching and praying while you read, and see that you have no prejudice or feeling, either for or against; and that you do not form any distinct opinion until you have read all this statement. In order for you to understand, it will be necessary for me to speak of the brethren involved by name, even if it is painful so to do. Brother Russell long warned us that the evil spirits would exercise great power in the closing hours of the Church’s pilgrimage, and I am wondering if they are the cause of this fearful trial. He will make it clear in due time. Read Rev. 7 of Scripture Studies.

That you may understand why I was led to appoint four members of the Board of Directors in order to save the Society’s money from being tied up by law suits and its work wrecked, both of which have been threatened, it is needful that I relate to you some things that have occurred since I became your President. To do this, I am impelled to tell you what occurred in Great Britain with reference to Brother Johnson, whom I loved very dearly. Some of the four brethren hereinafter mentioned, members of the Bethel Family, acting under advice of a lawyer who is not too friendly toward the Truth, and under the advice of another who is not a lawyer, have been about some of the classes making derogatory statements against the President, Secretary and Treasurer and others of the Society with a view to creating a sentiment in the minds of the friends against these brethren. They have done this while traveling at the expense of the Society and as its representatives. Since they have made it public and disturbed the minds of many of the friends, it becomes my duty to you to make a statement of the facts

EPITOME OF FACTS HEREINAFTER ESTABLISHED

That you may intelligently follow the evidence hereinafter set forth, I first give a brief outline of what the facts prove: 1. That Brother P. S. L. Johnson was sent to Europe last November to do pilgrim work for the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY and, in order to procure a passport, was given a letter of authority which he understood in fact limited him to preaching the Gospel and ascertaining by inquiry certain facts about the work there and reporting them to the Society; that for some cause he overstepped his authority; that he charged several brethren with disloyalty to Brother Russell; that he discharged, without authority, two of the managers of the Society’s London office and compelled them to leave the London Bethel.

2. That the Executive of the Society appointed a commission of five able brethren of Great Britain to go to London and ascertain the facts and report; that Brother Johnson attempted to unduly influence this commission before it met; and being unable to do so, he repudiated it and refused to appear before it; that he was recalled from England by cablegram.

3. That Brother Johnson announce in various places in England that he was the "Steward" of the "Penny" mentioned in the Lord’s parable (Mt 30:8), and claimed all the powers and authority that Brother Russell possessed; that he had a well-laid plan to take full control of all the Society’s work in Great Britain and to establish a new WATCH TOWER there; that he announced to the friends in Great Britain that he should have been the Society’s President but declined to accept.

4. That when the commission met in London for the purpose of examining into the facts, Brother Johnson then repudiated the action of the Shareholders in electing the President of the Society at Pittsburgh, January 6, 1917, and ignored the President and began to communicate with Brother A. I. Ritchie and, through him, to appeal to the Board of Directors.

5. That when he was resisted by Brother Hemery, the remaining manager in the London office, Brother Johnson, together with an accomplice, got possession of the keys and forcibly took possession of the London office, the Society’s mail, opened the safe and extracted therefrom a large sum of money belonging to the Society by himself as special representative, against the manager of the London office and against the Bank where the Society’s funds were deposited and tied up the money in the Bank; that this law suit was decided adversely to Brother Johnson, and his solicitor was required by the High Court to pay the cost, and that later Brother Hirsh and allies and at the instance of Brother Johnson tried to have the Society pay Brother Johnson’s solicitor in the case, but failed.

6. That everything at the Brooklyn office was moving smoothly, with no discord, until Brother Johnson demanded of the Society’s President that he be returned to England and, being refused, then exercised his influence over Brothers Hirsh, Hoskins, Wright and Ritchie and induced them to believe that the President was ignoring them. He influenced them to ask for a meeting of the Board of Directors to give him the third hearing about what he did in Europe; that when the President refused to call a meeting for that purpose, then he advised them to set aside a by-law which the Shareholders had passed and which the Board of Directors had passed, and take away from the President all of the authority and turn it over to these four brethren. Brother Johnson on the 25th day of July last, admitted that the trouble hereinafter described was the result of the refusal of his demand for a re-hearing with a view to his being sent back to England.

7. That the other four brethren, acting under the advice of Brother Johnson, began a systematic campaign amongst the brethren, charging that the President is ignoring Brother Russell’s will and going contrary to the precedent established by Brother Russell. That a plan was outlined by them and they, acting under the advice of Brother Johnson and the lawyer, set about to influence some of the prominent brethren against the President and bring pressure to bear upon him to surrender his authority of the Society to these four brethren. That they outlined a course exactly parallel to that pursued by Brother Johnson in England, and openly stated that if the President and the PEOPLES PULPIT ASSOCIATION resisted their action that they would resort to the course of law and tie up all the money of the Society, so that it accolade not be used, and that they would either run the Society or wreck it; and that their wrongful action was prevented by the President..2b BROTHER JOHNSON GOES TO ENGLAND Brother Russsell had arranged last Fall for Brother Johnson to visit Europe, and those left in charge after Brother Russell’s departure thought well to carry out his wishes and send him. Brother Johnson called at the State Department at Washington, and the Bureau of Citizenship in New York for information concerning passports. Returning he informed the Committee that it was necessary for him to have credentials showing that it was imperative that he visit the foreign countries in the interests of the Society; otherwise the government, because of the war, would not grant the passport. Myself and Brother Johnson together prepared a letter to present to the State Department, with the understanding that it was for the procuring of a passport . When it came to the signing of the letter Brother Van Amburgh, the Secretary, refused to sign, because it granted sweeping authority to Brother Johnson. Then it was explained in the presence of Brothers Van Amburgh, Ritchie and myself, and Brother Johnson, that the only purpose of the letter was to enable Brother Johnson to procure a passport, and that his authority would really be the same as any other pilgrim or lecturer. Brother Ritchie then remarked to Brother Johnson that it would be well for him to inquire at the Society’s offices he visited in Europe and get all the information he could about the manner of conducting the work, to all of which Brother Johnson agreed. It then became necessary for him to have a letter of introduction to the London office, and of course this had to be written consistent with the other letter, because the Government of Great Britain would examine all of his papers when he arrived at the border, and anything inconsistent would probably result in sending him out of the country, hence we wrote a similar letter to the London office with the same understanding.

TROUBLE BEGINS IN ENGLAND

About the 5th of February a cablegram was received from Brother Johnson, reading as follows: "Situation intolerable. Shearn, Crawford, dismissed. Appealing to you. Withhold answer pending my mail."

About the same time another cablegram was received from Brothers Shearn and Crawford, as follows: "Astounding developments, office and Tabernacle. Please defer all judgment."

The International Bible Students Association, organized under the laws of Great Britain, has a council of five members, Brothers Hemery, Shearn and Crawford constituted the members in England, while Brother Russell and myself were the two members here. The same three brethren above mentioned were the managers of the London office, conducting the work there.

Knowing that Brother Johnson had no authority to discharge Brothers Shearn and Crawford, and being doubtful of the situation, I sent the following cablegram to Brother Johnson: "Have contending sides sign agreed statement of facts and send for my decision."

Then in a few days I left for California. Some time after I reached Los Angeles I received information from Brothers Crawford and Shearn, also from Brother Johnson, that the two brothers mentioned had been discharged from the London office and the London Bethel. I appointed five able brethren in Great Britain as a commission to investigate, and then sent the following cablegram: "Shearn, Hemery, Crawford, Johnson, London: "Shearn, Crawford dismissal absolutely without authority. Restore them immediately. Must have fair trial before my commissioners. Show cable commissioners. Report awaited."

The next day I received a cablegram dated Liverpool, February 24, 1917, and reading as follows: "Rutherford, Watch Tower Society, Brooklyn, N. Y.

"Surprised at cablegram. Have you not received my letters second, eleven, twenty-one, January? Shearn, Crawford, leading sixth sifting. Ezekiel Nine Beware. Cablegram campaign engineered Crawford, Shearn, Ezra Nehemiah Mordecai experience type mine here. Since January Twenty-eight am Steward Matthew, Twenty, eight. Shearn, Haman then hanged on gallows for me. Was then given Esther Eight, Two Fifteen powers like Russell’s. Crawford, Sanballet, Shearn, Tobiah. Guard Senior, Gishen. Will you be my right hand? Must keep my hands on "Johnson."

(This, and subsequent cablegrams sent out by Brother Johnson cost the Society hundreds of dollars for their transmission.) Within the next two or three days I received the following cablegram from Brother Hemery, dated London, Feb. 26th: "Johnson claims full control everything. I resist as your representative. Dispute with co-managers his, not mine. Los Angeles cable has attention. What are Johnson’s powers?"

On the 27th of February I cabled Brother Johnson as follows: "Your work finished London; return America, important."

Believing from the information that I had, and from the language used by Brother Johnson in his cablegram, in which he stated that he was "steward" with all powers formerly held by Brother Russell, I was convinced that his mind was deranged and that he was disturbing the work in Great Britain. Thereupon I cabled from Los Angeles to Brother Hemery as follows: "Johnson demented. Has no powers. Credentials issued to procure passport. Return him America. Sympathy."

A cablegram dated London, March 7, 1917, addressed to Brothers Ritchie and Van Amburgh, was received from Brother Johnson, which is as follows: "Society’s interest demand I retain powers Board, not executive committee, gave me. I appeal Board through you against Rutherford’s repudiating Board’s representative. He is subject Society. Society’s representative subject to it as against him. Letter follows. Continue letter appointment and credentials. Increased injury otherwise. Congregation unanimously voted me confidence appreciation against Shearn, Crawford. Rutherford’s committee approves me.

Disapproves him. Bethelites approve dismissals. Acted harmonious with my powers. I protest in God’s name to Board through you.".3b Later, Brother Hemery learning of this cablegram, sent the following, dated London, March 18th, addressed to Brother Rutherford: "Understand Johnson cabled untruths Ritchie. Hope soon report his collapse."

The following cablegram was received from Brother Hemery, dated March 14th, London, addressed to myself: "Johnson rampaging. He [and] Housden seizing mails and cash. Hasten sealed cancellation authority. Cormack two others sympathize with him. Solicitor recommends Johnson’s forcible ejection. Have placed embargo on bank."

After the commissioners were appointed and Brother Johnson learned that they were to go to London to investigate the facts and report, he visited each one of them personally and tried to influence them in his behalf and against the others. This fact is proven by the following letters from Brother Crawford:

LETTERS FROM BROTHER CRAWFORD

January 20, 1917.

"Lancaster Gate, London, W., England.

Mr. J. F. Rutherford and the Executive Committee, WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Dear Brethren in the Lord: "... Briefly, the circumstances are as follows. About a month or so before our dear Brother Russell passed beyond, the Elders of London Tabernacle-realizing that the arrangements then existing in the Tabernacle were not giving complete satisfaction to the members of the Congregation-unanimously agreed to call a meeting and inquire into all the circumstances which lay at the root of the trouble...

Shortly after, word came that Brother Johnson was on his way, and we wondered if by chance he had been charged by Brother Russell with the expression of his mind on the matter. When Brother Johnson arrived, however, he knew nothing of the correspondence and at once set about, as he thought, to set things in order in the Tabernacle. We all wished him God Speed and gave him every assistance possible. Judge, then, of my surprise when, a few days later, I found all the eleven Elders condemned by Brother Johnson, and myself with two other brethren of the Office staff charged by him on the following three counts: 1) With attempting to deceive Brother Russell. 2) With concealing the real purpose of the Resolution. 3) With having an evil motive in signing same.

"At first I did not take the matter seriously and tried to believe that Brother Johnson surely did not mean to brand all the eleven Elders of the Tabernacle as hypocrites, etc., without any proof or hearing whatsoever, and the three brethren of the Office as even worse. -1Ti 5:1, 19....

"The situation that was created became impossible, because, in the first place, neither of the three involved were conscious of any sin or evil motive nor had they wronged any one either by word or action; secondly, to relinquish Eldership meant to expose two of them (myself included) to the probable operation of the Military Act, a step which, to every reasonable mind would surely seem wrong. Brother Johnson’s reply to this point was that having committed this sin I must now bear the consequences; in the third place, this procedure was altogether contrary to the policy advocated by Brother Russell-whose recommendation was that the Pilgrims and Office workers who represented the Society as lecturers should be Elders either in a home Church or in the Tabernacle.

"A few days later Brother Johnson came to London, when I had a further word with him and endeavored to point out how unreasonable his attitude was...

"Your brother and servant in the Anointed.

"W. Crawford."

Also the following letter written ten weeks later will be of interest: "42 Selborne Rd., Ilford E., April 3, 1917.

Dear Brother Rutherford: "Doubtess Brother Johnson informed you that he dismissed me and my wife from the office and home and instructed us to leave the premises immediately. As I had no time to make any arrangements and Brother Johnson threatened to put my furniture out or have it used if not removed at once, I was forced to have it taken to the above address to be stored.

"I am sorry to say that Brother Johnson seems to be going from bad to worse. To my mind he is either under the influence of spiritism or else has temporarily lost his balance of mind. No sane man would act or do the things that he has done during the last month or so. For no cause whatever but merely evil surmising on his part he has denounced me for hours in the Tabernacle, telling them that I was dead spiritually and no longer a brother, etc., etc. He has also gone to my wife when I was absent on more than one occasion, telling her the same ridiculous story and tried to separate us. Once he gave her such a talking to in this way that when I came in I found her weeping and almost in hysterics.

"... Brother Johnson has been telling the classes that he is the steward of the parable of the Penny and that he would have been the president only he refused to allow his name to go forward for nomination.

"A peculiar delusion of his which he has been preaching to the classes is, Brothers Shearn and Guard and I are fulfilling certain types recorded in Nehemiah, Chap. 2:4 and 6. He says that I am "Sanballat," Brother Shearn, "Tobish," and Brother Guard "Geshem."

"The classes here are in sore straits through his visits. He seems to have unsettled nearly every class he visited. The brethren have been much relieved however by the receipt of your cable and are glad to know that his doings did not represent the Society.

"Brother Johnson, however, does not now acknowledge your authority to counsel his dismissal and says that can only be done by the Executive Committee. He refused to allow either Brother Shearn or me to be reinstated.

"... Now just a word about the Commission of Inquiry. It was very kind of you to make this arrangement and I much appreciate your efforts to have justice done. I would like however to make a few remarks regarding the members of the Commission and how the inquiry carried out. It was no fault of the members of course that they had all been interviewed by Brother Johnson and their minds influenced to some extent by Brother Johnson’s views of things, and indeed was there when your cable of instructions was received.

"Yours by His grace, "W. Crawford."

BROTHER JOHNSON WRITES BROTHER HEMERY

We also quote a letter addressed to Brother Hemery, written and signed by Brother Johnson. This letter appears as an Exhibit in the High Court of Justice in the case wrongly instituted by Brother Johnson in the name of the Society against the London managers. The document follows: ———-"1917 w. No. 541.

"IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE CHANCERY DIVISION MR. JUSTICE EVE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY -VS- HEMERY AND OTHERS "This is the Exhibit marked ‘J. H. 4,’ referred to in the Affidavit of Jesse Hemery sworn herein this 22nd day of March, 1917, before me, "A. S. JACKSON, "A Commissioner of Oaths.

"A. J. Greenop & Co.

Bush Lane House Cannon Street London, E. C., 4."

———-

"BIRKENHEAD, 24th February, 1917.

"Mr. J. Hemery, 34 Craven Terr., London, W.

"Beloved Brother Hemery: "Grace and peace. Glad to receive your letter. Will answer it first, and then give you something else.

"Re a further trip. I had better remain at London from the time of my arrival there until the following Thursday or Friday then go to Glasgow, with possibly a day off at Manchester. I will wait and see what Manchester develops next week. On the way back, so far as I can see, I would like an appointment at Edinburgh so as to set matters clearly before the Edinburgh Church. Everywhere I go I am now giving an account of this trouble . This must be done to circumvent the mischief that they are already working. They are working on quite a campaign, and this we must frustrate. Shearn is spreading the report that I have interfered with his success in the Military matter. As to whether I will have appointments after Edinburgh or not will depend on what develops. Keep your eyes open, please, for sore spots. These are the places to which I wish to go.

"Thanks for information about Sister Annie, and the adoption. I understand your letter to mean that I wont even have to go to Court to have it settled-that our agreement before the Bethel family made it binding and legal; am glad.

"Re food: I wish, dear Brother, that you would follow my suggestion on this line. I am speaking very advisedly when I say it is imperative that staple articles be gotten and stowed in a safe place, safe from men and from rats. Please let them be bought at different places. I would suggest, the making of a false ceiling as a receptacle, and let it be lined throughout with tin, as a safeguard from rats. Wheat is the special thing needed, and monkey nuts. The famine will be very sore shortly, and the prices very heavy. You will notice Elisha calls attention to the famine, and that is what I have in mind. You will remember that I told you when I came at first, that there would be this condition shortly, and now I know it is at the very doors and therefore suggest that it be done immediately, for the good of the family. I have a way of answering questions that would be perfectly right, and will secure the food. Will tell you about this when I see you.

"Re Brother Shearn’s furniture: I think you did very well on what you have bought. However, the balance of his furniture must leave the house as soon as possible. We will wait for indications and so, for the present, will let the furniture stand as it is.

COMMISSIONERS INTERVIEWED BY BROTHER JOHNSON

"Thank you for the Manchester matter. I have it under advisement; also Brother Smedley. I am going to dictate a for letter to all of the eight brethren who furnished me names, asking them to come to Bethel for a Conference with me, March 3rd at 2 p.m. I am going to lay the whole position before them. Brother Rutherford has appointed four of these eight as a Committee to investigate; Brother Housden is the fifth member of the Committee.

"I trust Sister Cormack has returned, and thank you for what you have done re Elders and Deacons. Re Brother Cormack: Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will do as you suggest; we must put an end to grasping for power on the part of everybody concerned. I will write him today on this line, sending the letter to the office.

"Re the six Elders elected who signed the Resolution: You will notice in Esther that on the 1st day that the Jews stood for their lives, which, I understand, would refer to last Sunday, the ten sons of Haman are spoken of simply as slain and that in the 2nd day they were hanged up. This 2nd day I understand, will be March 4th. At that time, since they are the sons of Haman, the Agagite (an Agagite represents a sinfully ambitious person), I am sure that everyone of those brothers were ambitious, and their ambition moved them, along with other things, to sign that Resolution, and I will therefore, after proving this point, recommend their dismissal. This process will be their.5a hanging. First, however, we will settle the matter with Shearn and Crawford, but the whole thing will be settled March 4th and after that there will be joy and rejoicing on the part of the faithful and many new ones will come into the Truth to take the places of others. I increasingly fear that Brother Cormack is the son-in-law of Sanballat, and what you write me only strengthens that fear. If that proves to be true I will ‘chase him from me.’ "Thanks for the cablegram from Brother Rutherford. He is undoubtedly the victim of a cablegram campaign, engineered by Shearn and Crawford. This morning I sent Brother Rutherford a long cablegram telling him that I was anti-typing Ezra, Nehemiah, Mordecai, and that on the 28th of January, after hanging up Brother Shearn on the scaffold that he had prepared for me, I was appointed by the Lord according to Es 8:2, 15, the Steward referred to in Mt 20:8. I asked him to be my right hand man. I expressed astonishment at his cablegram, and inquired whether he had not received my letters of Jan. 2nd, 11th and 21st; told him that Haman represented Shearn in Esther, and Tobish represents him in Heb., while Crawford was represented by Sanballat, and Geshem represented Guard Senr. I trust this will change his attitude, for he is evidently becoming excited. I told him I could not keep hands off. Now, my beloved Brother Hemery I will be responsible for everything. I think you see enough to see what the Lord has been, and is, doing for me. I believe that you consider that my deductions from these Books are correct. Everything that unfolds from them makes it all the clearer to my mind, that the Lord has given me the proper light on the books. I did not mention in my cablegram to Brother R., and that again by forgetting, that the congregation unanimously voted confidence in me, and approval of what I have been doing for them against Shearn and Crawford. Seemingly the Lord permitted this forgetting again in order that you, as Chairman and Brother Seeck, as Secretary, might convey the news.

We have been somewhat too inactive with cablegrams and have allowed the other side to keep the wires hot.

However, the Lord is on our side against all them that rise up against us. I notice from THE TOWER, that Brother Rutherford is in Santa Barbara, on the 25th. I trust my cablegram reaches him. I think the Lord is going to let him mix things up quite thoroughly, until He shows him who has been His choice as Brother Russell’s successor . Brother Rutherford wrote me that the Executive Committee is not in existence any longer. I am wondering how this is.

Seemingly from this, he is acting wholly alone as the authority. It may be all right, but I do not understand it. I think Brother Rutherford will come to see the position properly in a very short time. My cablegram this morning ought to open his eyes.

"Re the Elders and Deacons: I had better see the Elders and Deacons together for part of the time, and then the Elders alone the rest of the evening. What do you think of Brother Dingle as an Elder and speaker in the Tabernacle? Please let me have your opinion. Have you any other recommendations? According to Neh. there will be twelve Elders in that congregation, and not eighteen. Notice the passage that speaks of Ezra arising with six priests on each side. This is at the water gate, which I understand to refer to the Elders. One after another of these gates are becoming clear to my mind. I have nearly all of them now, and will have them all, I believe, in due time.

"Am not at all well. My brain is quite weary, and the Lord, seemingly in compassion for me, has arranged but one meeting a day for me until this trip is finished. Annie is a great help to me, I am sure that the Lord has given her to me to give me much needed relief. If this relief would not have been forthcoming, I am satisfied I would have had a repetition of my 1910 breakdown, but the Lord will sustain me to finish the work that he has given me to do.

"I send the family, the associate managers, your wife and yourself, much Christian love. The Lord bless and keep thee.

"Your brother and servant, "P. S. L. JOHNSON."

SUIT INSTITUTED WITHOUT AUTHORITY

When Brother Johnson was unable to influence the Commissioners he remained quiet for a day or two, and then suddenly it occurred to him to deny that I had been elected President of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY. He began to cable Brother Ritchie, and write him letters, and then proceeded to forcibly take possession of the mails and money in the London office, and employed a lawyer and instituted a suit in the High Court of London in the name of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY and against Brothers Crawford, Hemery and Shearn, and the bank where the Society’s money is kept, and tied up all the funds of the Society. Brother Hemery thereupon cabled me as follows: "Johnson applying court Friday next for injunction restraining bank. Cable us instructions immediately."

I immediately cabled Brother Hemery to oppose injunction and in reply received from him the following cablegram: "Am consulting Greenop. Please cable him direct to oppose injunction and take necessary steps, restraining Johnson’s interference as not representing Society any capacity."

Thereupon I cabled Mr. Greenop, London solicitor for the Society, as follows: "Resist Johnson’s injunction. Does not represent Society. Restrain him."

On March 24th Brother Hemery cabled me: "Johnson business frazzled. Situation normal. Most money received. Deposits safe. Johnson’s supporters repented. He left Bethel suddenly by upper room window."

On the same day Brother Hemery wrote me in detail a letter, of which the following is a copy:

LETTER FROM OUR LONDON MANAGER

"24 March, 1917.

"My Dear Brother Rutherford: "At last I am able to write to you with some measure of satisfaction with reference to this sad business which has been the subject of so many cablegrams exchanged between yourself and us in London...

"The immediate situation is this, as my telegram would indicate. Johnson’s rebellion, and his attempt to seize the whole of the British work, and its funds in bank deposits, has failed, though the matter of the injunction is not yet out of the High Court because of the question of costs. Judge Peterson adjourned the hearing of the Motion until next Friday.

But the case will not again come into the Court. On receipt of your cablegram of the 30th, in which you instructed me to take full possession, I, knowing something of Johnson’s mind, immediately got in touch with the bank to safeguard the deposit of ú800. I was none too soon: he was there immediately after me, endeavoring to use his letters from head office to gain control of the money. We fought for it. At last he issued an injunction through the High Court for a claim on the money, and against the bank for withholding it. The writ was returnable yesterday. However, when the case came before the judge yesterday, Johnson’s counsel said, after reading my affidavit, that he did not propose to proceed with his motion; but we here, trying to protect ourselves, had made a little slip, and thus gave them a chance to haggle over the costs for the action, and this is all that remains to be settled as far as the motion is concerned. This will mean that the bank account here stands in the names of Brothers Shearn, Crawford and my own, and this.6a arrangement will suit very well until any further readjustment needs to be made according to whatever you may decide to do.

"Now I must tell you how the immediate events developed. After your telegram giving cancellation of all Johnson’s activities, he was quiet for twenty-four hours or so, then suddenly blossomed out with the statement that the election of the President of the Society was absolutely out of order. He asserted his right to sit at the head of the table in the Bethel family, and in order to make sure of his right, he went and sat in the Chair before the family assembled. I refused to acknowledge him as having the right to represent you, and said to the family that this was open rebellion. I called upon them to give no adherence to the rebellion against your authority as representing the Society. To my surprise most of the brethren stayed with Johnson, and they continued to handle the work. That morning Johnson raved at me for a couple of hours and dismissed me half a dozen times more. His insistence, and his mouthing, made some of the brethren think that he was the person in authority, and they had, unfortunately, listened to his claim of being the antitype of many Scripture characters and, as they now say-for they have repented-they seemed to have lost their reasoning faculties. It was about the middle of the week when I began to discern the true inwardness of the situation, that Johnson was not merely intending to take control of the office in the meantime, but that he had an ulterior purpose in mind: gaining the whole control of the British field, of its resources, and running a separate WATCH TOWER.

Looking back I can see many things which show the working of his mind, but which he carefully hid. I tried to rally the family, but three brothers stayed by him, enabling him to carry on the execution of of the orders, while Brother Cormack preferred, as said, to be neutral, though his neutrality gave him a good deal of intercourses with Johnson and none with me. I demanded of them a statement of the monies received and expended, but was refused this. In the meantime I was in constant communication with our solicitors, Messrs. Greenop, doing everything to safeguard the financial side of our work, and felt quite assured that, though we might have some present difficulties, the sum could never be handled by Johnson. Brothers Shearn and Crawford, as members of the Council of I. B. S. A. and as associates in the work, were called in...

"Last Saturday I called together in the city a few of the Elders and Deacons of the London Church, and told them the situation. They immediately began to take steps to relieve the situation, and from Sunday night last, we have had someone in the house all the time. A plan we had for the beginning of the seizing of the mails on Monday morning, failed through an act of treachery, but we began on Tuesday morning, and since then every letter delivered has come through my care. Johnson was furious. He, and Brother Housden with him, spent much time in mediating over the situation. I asked again for the money and statement, believing that the money was safe in the safe. As refusal was made, it seemed necessary to take some more stringent measures, for we had found it impossible to do anything in the way of arresting Johnson for lunacy.

SOCIETY FUNDS TAKEN FROM SAFE

"So on Wednesday both Brothers Johnson and Housden having gone to bed rather early, Johnson’s door was held while Brother Cronk, one of our Elders, and I went up to Housden’s room and demanded the keys. Two helpers were nearby, and on Housden’s refusal to hand them over, they were taken out of his pocket, though without any violence, for he made no resistance. On going down to the safe, I found the money gone. They had scooped a deposit of ú50 in gold which we had by us, about ú40 which had been given to the relief of the Military situation, and which was neither the Society’s nor the Church’s money, and a good sum of about ú150 besides, the takings during the days when they held the mail. Besides this sum there was a cheque of ú350, a donation, and which I believe we shall yet save to ourselves, though at the moment there is a little doubt. Housden refused to say where the money was, and we had to talk to him pretty plainly. He promised however, that he would not aid Johnson any more. We had spoken to him about the possibility of the police coming in. I should here tell you that the day before, Brother Dingel, who had his head twisted with Johnson’s talk, saw the folly of the situation, and apologized and repudiated Johnson’s position. He, feeling some responsibility, had gone up to Brother Housden’s room to plead with him. The window-blind was up, Brother Dingle switched on the electric light, and got so busy talking with Housden, that neither of them noticed that they were breaking the lighting regulations. About 11:30 p.m. the door bell rang, and I went down to see what was the matter. A constable was at the door wanting an explanation of this violation of the very stringent London lighting regulations. He insisted upon seeing those who were responsible, and I had to take him upstairs. You can imagine the situation! Here was a constable appearing at the bedroom door immediately after our talk about the constable coming.

However, that matter was soon over, and the constable went away, knowing nothing, of course, of our conversation...

LEAVES BETHEL THROUGH UPPER WINDOW

"About 6 o’clock in the morning Brother Johnson’s foot began pounding on the door, an he had not a great difficulty in driving away the bit of wood that had been wedged against it to keep him within bounds. It had been his habit of late to go wandering about the house between two and four in the morning, evidently seeing if his possessions were safe, for he is a very suspicious character. Brother Cronk, who was sleeping in along with another brother, spoke to Johnson, told him he could go into the bathroom if he wanted, but he must remember that he could not have things his own way, and that a constable had been up to see Brother Housden the night before. Of course this was a bit of bluff to help to keep Johnson within bounds. He went up to Housden’s room, and when he found that Brother Housden would not come out to him, he began to think there was something wrong with 34, Craven Terrace. Instead of going into the bathroom, he hastily dressed himself, left his baggage open, got out on the balcony, and then the milk deliverers saw the ludicrous sight of a man in a tall hat and frock coat and, as they said, with goloshes only, letting himself down from the balcony into the street. It the matter were not so serious, the ludicrous side comes on this, because it was only the fear for his skin, impelled by an evil conscience, that made him do this foolish thing. The front door was loose, he could have walked down and walked out. We wondered what had become of him, but one or two strange telephone messages through the day assured us that he was standing by the speaker endeavoring to get some knowledge of his friend, Brother Housden. He turned up at the Court yesterday, and saw his failure written large across the happenings at the Court. Afterwards he said he was willing to go back to America, and Brother Housden expressed his readiness to go also, putting it as if he thought he should go to take care of Johnson, but, as I believe, with the fear in his heart that this embezzlement of the money might bring serious consequences to him.

"During the day Brother Housden delivered to Brother Gentle, who had had some talk with him, a package of money containing about ú220 in gold, treasury notes and other paper, but here seemed a little trickery, because he has said he was willing to deliver up the money to me, for Brother Gentle ‘phoned to say that the money had been placed in his care, but he was to hold it until he had a note from Johnson’s solicitors giving him liberty to hand it over. I immedately reminded Brother Gentle of his danger in handling what was practically stolen property, and of what he himself has said to Brother.7a Housden on this matter. He had no difficulty in coming to a decision, and I got the money, ú217, last night. They have paid out ú40 to their solicitor to meet preliminary expenses, but we are asking for a full statement of receipts and expenditures, but whether we shall get it or not, we do not know. The cheque for ú350, which Brother Housden had said was in the package, was not there-I had the money counted over in Brother Gentle’s presence. I am at the moment waiting for news respecting this cheque, and may be able to report something before this letter is despatched.

(Later. -Cheque was returned to drawer, and is safe from Brother Johnson’s hands.) "The costs in this case must be heavy, for Johnson had to employ not only Solicitors, but Counsel. The writ was served on the Bank as well as us, and they employed their Solicitor and Counsel, and it was necessary that we should do the same. The law is that a solicitor who enters into an action of this kind becomes personally responsible for costs if this case fails. I should judge from the look of the Solicitor which they employed, that he has not much money, hence his desire to get ú40 to go on with. It may be that they have paid him more, but I know of no payment beyond this. Our Solicitors, Messrs. Greenop, are intending to push this matter somewhat as a lesson to Brother Johnson’s solicitor, and, of course, in our own interests. Johnson has made an awful mess of this business, for the Bank’s position is that the account is really not the WATCH TOWER account, but was under the control of the original signatories. The question of the validity of his letters of accreditation did not arise, for the simple reason that my affidavit killed the business. Had this question of validity been raised at all, probably they would have been rejected because not notarily signed before the British Consul in New York. It is not at all likely that we shall have any further trouble with these letters, but for safety’s sake it is to be hoped that the cancellation papers have the British Consul’s signature on them, and you might note this for any future use of such papers.

"Johnson speaks of being willing to return to America, but what his movements will be remain to be seen. He is foiled in all his efforts, and there is nothing more ludicrous in the whole business, and which may be said to be a proper ending to all his abnormal claims, that this Plenipotentiary-a word which he has used a hundred times of late-charged with full powers of authority, who for fear of his skin and with a coward’s heart and an uneasy conscience getting over the rails outside his bedroom window with his tall hat escaping from no danger but that which was created by his imagination.

A CASE FULL OF LESSONS

"We received him as a good brother, accepting him at his own estimation of himself, and now have to admit that we were imposed upon, and to say that he has been here as an imposter. But in saying this, I would not at all have you think that his life and work here have been that of a hypocrite. The whole case is a strange one, and has been full of lessons to us-the ways of working of Divine Providence. From the moment that Brother Johnson got off the steamer St. Louis at Liverpool, he ceased not to talk about himself. It was not easy to measure him, for, being an unusual man, and the circumstances being unusual, it seemed better to wait until we could know more of him. For a while he seemed to act very cautiously and wisely, but meeting a little opposition, as he thought, and which perhaps was actually present, he developed a severe side of character. From a time when he thought he found some opposition in Brother Shearn and Crawford, and he had asserted authority, he visibly swelled in importance. As I have previously told you, I believe that the work he did here, though done in so rough a fashion, was according to the Lord’s providence, and I say this after much time for reflection, and even though I am so nearly related to the affairs. But the unusual situation in which Brother Johnson found himself, allowed his mind to develop very rapidly some things which had been there for six or seven years. From time to time he had told me of thoughts in his mind, and of some of the happenings during his nervous breakdown in 1910. (You will perhaps remember that when I was with you in the United States in 1910 Brother Johnson was then sick, and I did not see him.) From what he has said, I have no doubt that he has seen himself in his imagination as successor to Brother Russell. The voices which he heard in 1910 have left their impression upon him. Coming over here he seems to have thought that his work was antityped by Ezra’s commission to help the spiritual work of Jerusalem. His smashing blow against Brothers Shearn and Crawford at once made apparent a reconstructive work. It was easy then for him to think of Nehemiah and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He seems to have spent almost every moment of available time in watching his work, and before he left us the other day, he had found twenty-five to thirty instances where, from point to point in what had been done or said to a brother until something else was said, fifty-two days had elapsed. It is surely true, as I told him, that there was some sort of connection between Nehemiah and himself, not only that both of them were Jews, but Nehemiah’s way of tearing the hair of his opponents, and in telling the Lord that he should be remembered in all the work he had done. After seeing himself in Ezra and Nehemiah as first his Pilgrim work, secondly his commissioners work, he began to hint that he had seen a possible further work, and that this was typified in Esther. He did not say what it was, but at last hinted that he thought may be he would be Steward.

CLAIMED TO BE ‘STEWARD’

"Going down to Liverpool, he lost such reserve as a Plenipotentiary ought to have, and he proclaimed himself openly as the "Steward of the Parable." I heard of his cable to you, and of what he had said, and I immediately, as I informed you, took a stand of opposition to his claims. From that time his hidden scheme got a shock, for he saw that he would have little hope of making great progress here as a leader if I were not with him. He tried to coax, cajole, and to some extent by flattery, but on my refusal to compromise one little bit, he came in open opposition. I cannot say that Brother Johnson is insane, but there is a sort of madness of pride that is in his heart. That he lacks balance is clear, for he would not have sent such telegrams had his mind been in proper balance. He has played for high stakes, and there seemed to his mind two weeks ago, a chance of winning his game. Now he is a pricked bubble. I regret to have to say that I have no confidence in him whatever. He has such cunning which in not insanity, and he is so capable of attending to his affairs, that I see no other conclusion but to say that he has been attempting a great imposture upon those whom he hoped would be with him, and by whom he hoped to continue his scheme.

"There has been no greater surprise to me in all this strange business that certain members of our family should cast in their lot with him. I mentioned the name of Brother Cormack in my cablegram to you. He has, to my mind, taken an ignoble part in this sad business. Instead of taking the only stand that could be taken by one who was loyal to the work, for some reason or other as between himself and the Lord he said he preferred to wait until Brother Johnson’s cancellation papers should be here. In other words he ignored your telegrams and the telegrams which were sent over the signature of the WATCH TOWER SOCIETY. Brothers Dingle and Guiver who gave me great disappointment by their action, have come to see the foolishness of their way in aiding Brother Johnson, and have expressed deep and, as I believe, sincere apologies. Brother and Sister Cormack are the only ones in the house who are waiting for the cancellation of Johnson’s papers, for Johnson is, of course, out of the house, and Brother Housden has gone home. I believe that if Brother Cormack, whose long association with the work should have given him a more decisive character, had taken the only stand that could properly be taken, that neither Brothers Dingle nor Guiver would have been so led astray by Johnson’s words, and-I rather think promises. I do not know what to say about Brother Cormack. The situation here under the National Service Scheme is that no one can take on a new employee unless by special permission. I do not feel it right that Brother Cormack should stay longer in the home, and I am doubtful about his staying on in the Pilgrim service. I do not feel that I can commend him to your favorable consideration, but I am glad to think that you know him, and know of his long service in the cause of the Truth, and also to believe that the Lord will guide you as to what you may decide in his case. In respect to Brothers Dingle and Guiver, I feel that their repentance is so sincere that I would suggest they be allowed to continue in the work in such way as may seem good here. Brother Guiver so far has been saved from the operation of the Military Service Act, because of an endeavor we made to save some of our helpers. If his work here is discontinued, he immediately comes under the claims of the military. Brother Dingle is beyond age, and we would be thrown under the National Service scheme aforementioned. But I believe their hearts are now right, though their standing in the Church will surely be affected. As for Brother Housden, I do not know yet where he stands. He has returned the money, but I believe it is more for fear of what he has done than belief in the fallacy of Brother Johnson’s claims. I want to keep in touch with him to save him., if this is possible. In the meantime we are now quite capable of going on with our work as in normal times. Brother Kirkwood can do the general office work-the execution of orders, etc., and he is a very useful brother. We have good stenographic help, and indeed, have no difficulties in the work.

"As I wish that you should have the foregoing as soon as possible, this portion shall be sent shortly. In it I shall hope to give you my thought of the relation of this matter to the general work in the country, and an account of the Church in London, and I hope, information of Brother Johnson’s return.

"In the meantime, with warm love in the Lord, and prayers that the Lord will guide you in all your way, I am, dear Brother Rutherford, "Your brother and servant in Him, "J. Hemery."

BROTHER JOHNSON LEAVES ENGLAND

Brother Johnson, as seen from the above, left the London Bethel and his whereabouts were unknown, until on April 4th when the following cablegram was received from Brother Hemery, dated London: "Discovered Johnson sailed (Steamship) St. Louis Saturday."

Learning thus that Brother Johnson was on his way to America, it was arranged that brethren should meet him at the dock and bring him to Bethel. I had been personally requested by his wife to keep him here until he recovered. When he appeared in the Bethel Home, to all intents and purposes he was sane upon every point except himself . He asked me if he might have a hearing before the Board. I called the members of the Board to the Study, and several other Brethren, and we listened to Brother Johnson for two hours. I presented to him a copy of the cablegram which he had sent me wherein he claimed to be the "Steward" of Matt. 20:8, and asked him if he sent it. After much effort he finally acknowledged that he did.

On another occasion the Board and other brethren sat and listened to Brother Johnson for two hours describing how the Scriptures foreshadowed his experience in England, and his activities there. It was the unanimous consent of all present that Brother Johnson was of unsound mind. I then stated to him, in the presence of the other, in substance: Brother Johnson, for the purpose of this matter we will concede that you thought you had authority to do what you did in Great Britain, and that you were acting honestly. Let us drop the matter now and not think of it any more. We all shook hands kindly, and he went to his room. He continued in the Bethel home uninterrupted for two months, except on one occasion he announced at the table that he is the "Steward" mentioned in Mt 20:8, but in a few days thereafter withdrew the statement. Our hope was that he was recovering, and we rejoiced..

THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE IN AMERICA

"However, some time near the latter part of June he approached me in the dining room and said, "I feel able now to go back to England and take up my work there." I replied, "Brother Johnson, you are not going back to England; you have no work there." He insisted that he should go, but I told him that he could not go. He left me then, with the statement that he would appeal to the Board. (On July 25, 1917, Brother Johnson admitted to me that his appealing to the Board is at the bottom of the trouble with Brothers Ritchie, Hirsh, Wright and Hoskins.) In about two days he came back and insisted that I call a meeting of the Board of Directors; that he might appear before them. I declined to do so, saying to him that the matter was entirely closed; the Society would not send him back to England, and the best thing for him to do would be to remain quiet. When I firmly refused to call the Board he became agitated and said: "You are a usurper and I will appeal to the Board and I will see that I have a hearing"; or words to that effect. The next morning he approached me in the dining room and handed me a paper, of which the following is a copy: "Brooklyn, N.Y., June 13, 1917.

"Dear Brother Rutherford: -"We, the undersigned members of the Board of the W.T.B. & T. S. herewith kindly request that you call a meeting of this Board to hear Brother Johnson on his activities in Great Britain and to examine the facts of the case. We will be glad to have you call this meeting at as early a date as possible.

"Praying the Lord’s blessing on our deliberations on this matter to the end that it may be to the Lord’s glory and the good of the cause we all love, we remain with much love, "Your Brethren and Servants in the Lord, "Isaac F. Hoskins, "A. I. Ritchie, "R. H. Hirsh, "J. D. Wright."

This paper had been written by Brother Johnson himself, and he had taken it to Brothers Hoskins, Ritchie, Hirsh and Wright, and had them to sign it, asking me to call a meeting to the Board, when two of these brethren sat at the same table with me at every meal, and one just immediately to my left, and all four of them in the dining room regularly and could easily have spoken to me direct about the meeting.

They had not mentioned this matter of a meeting to Brother Van Amburgh, who is also a member of the Board. It seemed rather a strange thing that they should take this procedure, so I called them into the drawing room for a conversation about the matter. These four brethren insisted that I should call a meeting of the Board of Directors to hear Brother Johnson. I finally told them that the matter had already been closed; that it was not a matter for the Board now to take up; it was folly to think about sending Brother Johnson back to England; that he should not go; and that I would not permit him to force a meeting of the.9a Board in the way that he was proceeding; but asked the four brethren named to have an interview with him and go over the facts if they desired and report the same at a meeting of the Board. I thereupon delivered to them the commissioners report, and my findings upon the report, and other documents bearing upon the case.

COMMISSIONERS EXPRESS VIEWS

The following letters from Brothers MacKenzie, McCloy and Warden, three of the Commissioners who examined into the London affair, also letters from other representative British brethren, show how Brother Johnson would be received in Great Britain now: "Glasgow, 4th July, 1917.

"My Dear Brother Rutherford:- "Greetings! In my little note to you on your appointment to be President of the Society I indicated that I hoped to write you more fully soon, and let you know how we are getting on at Glasgow. Since then, however, much has transpired and somehow I delayed writing until now.

"You are often in my thoughts, and am constantly remembering you at the throne of Heavenly Grace, realizing more than ever your need of help and strength in the arduous duties that devolve upon you.

"I would like to express to you my appreciation of your confidence in me in selecting me as one of the Commissioners in connection with the London difficulties, and my willingness to do anything that I could in the matter; and I would like to tell you how much I appreciated your calm, charitable judgment, and your firm but loving recommendations to those concerned, and my regret that they did not fall in with them at once. I enclose copy of letter that I wrote to Brother Crawford (after your judgment had been communicated to him) in reply to some letters I had from him; this letter will indicate to you my view of the whole matter.

"Brother P. S. L. Johnson was evidently used of the Lord in bringing to light much of the discord and lack of harmony that existed in the London Tabernacle and Office, but he surely did not go about the matter in the right way. He came to us with great messages of love and comfort and to encourage us, but am afraid he did not by any means succeed in his mission; he rather caused a great trial to come upon the brethren.

"He began his work well, and we were all impressed with his earnestness and zeal, and it may be we took too much out of him, and so helped to bring about his breakdown.

"Some of the statements he made, such as who he was and what he was, and that only himself and Brother Russell got the truth apart from the SCRIPTURE STUDIES, or could get it, made us wonder what he wanted to be at, and then when we heard of his doings and sayings at London we concluded the poor Brother had gone off his head, and suspended arrangements to have him with us in St Andrew’s Hall. Then when I went to London and saw and heard of his actings there I had no further doubt but that his mind was unhinged. Of course, we do not blame our dear Brother Johnson; he was not responsible, but really what took place after that and before his departure to the United States was the most undignified conduct of any brother I have ever heard tell of. It was a great relief to know he had ultimately returned to Brooklyn, and I sincerely hope he is getting restored to health and strength of body and mind, and that his heart is right.

"Some one has said that he (Brother Johnson) feels that there is more work for him to do in Britain. Well I feel sure that if he comes over again having the same great ideas of himself, and such small ideas of mostly everybody else, he would neither be welcome nor a help here, but if he is fully restored and has now the mind of Christ Jesus (the humble mind) we would all be delighted to have him again. But dear Brother Rutherford, is it not within the limits of possibility for you to come over yourself. You know how we would welcome you, and what a comfort and help you would bring us. The Lord would take care of you crossing over if he wants us to get a verbal message through you.

"Now I have said nothing about how we are getting on at Glasgow, and will not wait to write much now, only to tell you that there is a good deal of harmony in our midst, and we are endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. The number of those who are appreciating the Berean Studies so especially.9b commended by our dear Brother Russell and so warmly recommended by you, is increasing, and those of us who have learned to appreciate these fully are waiting on the Lord, great desiring that the blessings obtained through these Studies may extend to all.

"With much love to you and to all, "Yours in the one great Hope, "Gilbert MacKenzie."

"Birkenhead, June 29, 1917.

"My Dear Brother Rutherford: -"Have just seen our Brother R. G. Smith and glad to get your love. I am very pleased to hear that Brother Paul Johnson is improving in health and hope the rest may do all that is required for him. He tells me that it is Brother Johnson’s wish to return to this country to correct the wrong impressions he made here. His desire is good, but I think it would be a very unwise procedure indeed, and I feel sure with your sounder judgment you will not permit him to come over here again for a good long time, until his visit has died a natural death. If his interpretation of the Scripture is as when he was here, it would only result in disturbance instead of a comfort to the brethren. I am sure Brother Johnson would see the wisdom of your reasoning, if he is now well in mind and body.

"I am sure, dear brother, your hands must be full just now, but we all pray for you and feel sure the Lord will give you all you need. Faith can firmly trust Him, come what may. Is Brother Johnson in communication with Brother Johnson in communication with Brother Housden and influencing him in his views? I am inclined to think so. I don’t think he should do that now.

"Now my beloved brother in the Lord accept our united love.

"Yours in the same hope, "Thomson McCloy."

"Dumbreck, Glasgow.

"Dear Brother Rutherford: -"I have heard that Brother Johnson has the desire to return to Great Britain to finish what he considers his work here.

"Previous to Brother Johnson’s dismissing Brother Shearn and Brother Crawford from the office in London I received a letter from him which I read to the Elders of the Glasgow Class, who were all unanimous in the opinion that Brother Johnson’s mind had lost its balance, and we accordingly communicated with London and cancelled a meeting arranged for him in the St. Andrews Grand Hall, Glasgow. The incidents that happened from then up to the time of Brother Johnson’s departure from Great Britain further confirmed us in the decision that we had come to, and personally think it would be to the advantage of the brethren here if Brother Johnson did not return at present.

"We at Glasgow, with many of the other classes, have little difficulties of our own at present, and it is only with special care and the spirit of the Lord being manifested amongst us that these difficulties can be adjusted to the benefit of the brethren, and unless Brother Johnson has improved in his health I do not think he would be of any help to us.

This does not mean that Brother Johnson was of no assistance to the brethren when he.10a first came to Britain: in fact, I am of the opinion he helped us over here in many ways, but meantime we do not see any reason to agree with his interpretation of the Scriptures regarding "the steward."

"We daily remember you, dear brother, before the Throne of Grace, having some idea of the many difficulties that you have to contend with, and how much you will need to use that wisdom which cometh from above. May our loving Father continue to guide and direct you in all your labors of love for his dear children.

"Yours in One Hope, "W. O. Warden."

NOT WANTED AGAIN IN ENGLAND

"Manchester, June 30, 1917.

"My Dear Brother Rutherford: -"Greetings in our dear Lord.

"The purpose of my writing at present is just to give you some idea of the influence our Brother Paul Johnson exercised when on his Pilgrim trip in Great Britain.

The first time I came in contact with him was at the Manchester Convention last New Year. While I could see he was a brother of great ability, yet I was not fully satisfied with his presentations, particularly his interpretation and application of the Parable of the Penny. He evidenced great loyalty to our dear Brother Russell, which pleased me much. Yet there was as I have proved since, an over statement of just what were our dear Pastor’s views. I met him later at Glasgow and Aberdeen, and then finally spent two days with him here in Manchester. These two days proved to be very saddening and just went to prove some of my earlier suspicions regarding his mental condition. You are of course conversant with the fact of his several claims which it is not necessary for me to further detail, but my purpose is to write and say that instead of his presence being a comfort to the brethren it proved rather the reverse. Had he been allowed to continue his tour further the result must have been serious trouble in many of the Churches. I can assure you that if it were proposed for his return to Great Britain most of the classes would request that he be not received. If Brother Johnson feels he has a work to do in this country it is certainly not the Lord’s work unless he has altered his many strange interpretations and personal applications. He told us in Manchester here that it was his sure belief that Brother Russell had been exalted to the Lord’s right hand and that the left had been reserved for ANOTHER.

"You must understand the spirit in which I am writing you this note and trust it may be helpful for you at this time.

"Your brother by His grace.

"John J. Cochran."

A letter from Brother Hemery, dated London, June 29, 1917 says: "Brother Johnson came to us as if charged with a special mission to comfort the British brethren. It was quite apparent that he had a considerable idea of his privilege, and also of his ability to do this work. It was strange to me that his public ministry was so unproductive, and that from almost every point of view. He neither comforted the public, nor, except in the earliest part of his ministry, the brethren amongst whom he ministered. His later claims put him out of the means of being a help to the brethren, for they want to be faithful to the channel which the Lord has given, and they could not understand anyone attempting to set themselves up as the Lord’s channel, and yet in opposition to the main spokesman for that channel. Brother Johnson might think that I am speaking my own feelings when I say thus, but I am putting these out of account, and looking at the matter from the point of view of the Lord’s work as I see it. I am very sure that if I were to ask the representative brethren of the country, they would, with a unanimous voice say, ‘Do not on any account send us Brother Johnson.’ His talents were esteemed; he himself was also esteemd until he put forward his strange claims, and showed so clearly that he had a desire for place and power . A return visit now, even if he were quite right in his attitude, would be too near his former mistakes in point of time, and such a ministry would inevitably be received with suspicion, and would fail of its desired effect.".

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OTHERS DISCOVERED IN CONSPIRACY

Early in the Spring of 1917 Brother Ritchie made a pilgrim trip to the Northern States and portions of Canada. Reports began to come in that he was stating to some of the friends that a division was taking place at the Bethel Home, and that had be been elected as an officer of THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY he would have considered himself a member of the Grea