St. Paul Enterprise Articles Regarding the Death and Burial of, and Memorial Services for, Pastor Russell

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 1916 editions

Articles Regarding the Death and Burial of,

and Memorial Services for,

Pastor Russell

Published February, 1995 by:

Bible Students’ Archives

c/o Brian Kutscher

6144 University Drive

Dearborn Heights, MI 48127-2558

U. S. A.

Pastor Now Partaker Of The Divine Nature

St. Paul Enterprise Tuesday, November 7, 1916

——

Pastor Now Partaker Of The Divine Nature

Leaves Mortal for Immortality October 31 At 2:30 P. M. While Enroute In Texas On Sante Fe Train From California to New York

Bible Students throughout that portion of the world reached by the Associated Press were shocked last Wednesday morning to find on the front pages of their morning papers the above meager news of the death of their most beloved leader, Pastor Charles Taze Russell, the dispatches merely adding that he was accompanied by his secretary, M. Sturgeon, and that the cause of death was heart trouble.

Though all of us had fully expected Brother Russell to die, and could not desire any other course, knowing the clear teaching of the Scriptures to the effect that all who would live with Christ on the Divine plane must die with Him, and knowing that Brother Russell had covenanted thus to die and had desired such a consummation, even as he had declared in the Watch Tower of November 1, page 237, "Our Savior and King, WHOM WE HOPE SOON TO SEE FACE TO FACE;" yet no philosophy and no hope, however glorious, can ever insure mortals wholly against the shock of sorrow that comes at the separation of friends who are dearer to each other than the apple of the eye.

News reached us later in the day that the party accompanying the mortal remains of our Pastor would leave Chicago on the Pennsylvania road Thursday morning at 8:45. The Editor of this paper at once left to join the party there on its journey eastward. Messages from him since enable us to make this record, which will be read so eagerly by friends everywhere who wonder what the last experience and last words on earth of the one they love so well may have been.

Pastor Russell evidently was a sick man when he left on his last trip, and the business must have seemed to him to have been urgent indeed to take him again to the Pacific Coast, so soon after his previous visit; or he would have cancelled his dates and taken time for recuperation. But it has never been part of Pastor Russell’s program to cancel dates, and so perhaps it never occured to him that the King’s business would permit of any such action.

Brother Russell and Brother Sturgeon left the Dallas convention on the evening of October 22, after a strenuous day, and went for Galveston, where a service for the friends was held in the morning and for the public in the afternoon. Monday night he gave his third address of the day at Houston. This was a hard day’s work even for a well man in his sixty-fifth year of life.

On the next day at San Antonio he gave his famous address, "The World on Fire," before 2,200 people. His experience there demonstrated clearly how ill he was. Several times during the discourse he was obliged to discontinue speaking and let Brother Sturgeon take his place, he resuming the theme as a little strength would return to him. It thus happened that Brother Russell delivered four sections of this lecture and Brother Sturgeon three. Brother Russell carried it to the point where he cited Acts 3:19-21, introducing the Times of Refreshing that would follow the "fire of that day," when he weakened and withdrew and Brother Sturgeon stepped forward and explained the cooling off of the great fire, leading to the times of refreshing to follow. At this point Brother Russell resumed and proceeded as far as to the presentation of Elijah the type, finishing his argument regarding the world on fire, when for the second time Brother Sturgeon relieved him and gave the illustration of the picture of Elijah on Mount Horeb, etc.

Brother Russell again attempted the burden, and advanced to the explanation of the making of the Nicean Creed, when Brother Sturgeon again relieved him for a brief interval, explaining the effects of that creed; after which Brother Russell completed the lecture. In spite of his serious condition, he resumed his westward journey that night. Sister Josephine M. Frost of San Antonio engaged a pullman drawing room for the use of the sick Pastor and his Secretary. The Pastor at first shook his head at accepting it; as in all his forty years of constant travel he had not indulged himself in such luxuries! but when Brother Sturgeon explained to him that the sister had already paid for it, he accepted it as from the Lord. Could this dear sister have realized the prophetic cast of her words when she spoke of the service she was rendering as the breaking of her alabaster box?

Her thoughtfulness proved a great blessing. At eight o’clock, Wednesday morning, the train was halted at Del Rio, Texas, by a burned bridge. Four trains of United States soldiers were also stranded there. The troops, restrained by their officers, were noisy and rebellious, the weather was hot, and a noisy demonstration of some sort was going on in the town. The entire day was lost in this delay. Through all of the discomfort Brother Russell voiced not a word of complaint, save for the exclamation once uttered, "Oh, I’m so very tired, so tired."

At length, the bridge being repaired, the train proceeded. As they were at the center of the bridge, above the river, Brother Sturgeon remarked, "I have often heard you speak of going over the river, and now we’re over." Brother Russell smiled. Had he been feeling better, he would doubtless have been ready with some sally, for his sense of humor was very keen. He undoubtedly realized at this time that he was soon to pass over the mystical river, as several of his words and symbols seemed to indicate, although he said nothing directly.

At one time Brother Sturgeon held the Pastor’s hand and stroked it lovingly, saying, "This has been a great hand for smashing the creeds." Brother Russell replied, "But it will smash them no more." Later, Brother Sturgeon mentioned the seventh volume, a theme of such great expectation among the friends everwhere, but Brother Russell remarked, "Some one else can write it."

At Los Angeles, Brother Russell closed the meeting with the hymn, "Abide Sweet Spirit, Heavenly Dove." Two other remarks of significant interest to the friends occurred during the passing of the last words between the Pastor and the Pilgrim. Brother Sturgeon volunteered the question, "How about the smiting of the Jordan?" Brother Russell replied, "Some one else can do that, Brother." Being asked when the Steward would pay the penny to the laborers, he answered with the words he never hesitated to use upon occasion, "I don’t know."

Arrangements had been made to reverse the Watch Tower schedule of Pastor Russell and Pilgrim Brother E. D. Sexton, so that the latter went to San Diego, and the Pastor to Los Angeles. Brother Russell left his bed, which he had occupied ever since leaving San Anotnio, to fill the engagement at Los Angeles at 4:30. At 6:30 Sunday evening they left on a Santa Fe train for the East. Brother Sturgeon, realizing Brother Russell’s great need to have undisturbed rest, secured a drawing room.

They were scheduled for Topeka Nov. 1, Tulsa, Okla., Nov. 2, Lincoln convention Nov. 3, Saturday afternoon in Chicago, and Sunday evening in New York, when he was scheduled to preach the sermon which he had prepared for delivery there. Brother Russell breathed his last breath of earthly air at the time mentioned in the heading of this report, while the train was passing through Pampa, Texas.

Brother Sturgeon, seeing the end approaching, prepared a telegram to the Bible House as follows: "Before the close of October our dear Brother Russell will be with the Lord in glory;" but before he sent it added the words- "we are alone and Brother Russell is dying like a hero."

On Saturday night enroute to Los Angeles Brother Sturgeon had worked over the Pastor all night. Sunday night he had thought him better, because of his having gotten up to speak in the afternoon. But Monday night he was up all night again with him. His restlessness required frequent change of position to relieve his suffering. When too weak to speak and indicate this wish to be raised or lowered, he would motion by raising his arm, and as Brother Sturgeon placed his arms about him to perform the service, his ear would come close to the Pastor’s mouth and he could hear him whisper.

It seemed that Brother Russell wished to show Brother Sturgeon that he realized the nearness of death. Monday morning, as he was lying on the drawing-room couch, he said: "Brother Sturgeon, make me a Roman toga." "I don’t know how," said Brother Sturgeon. "I’ll show you how," he said; and taking two sheets, he folded them down about a foot at the top and had them fastened on at the shoulders with a pin, one in front and one behind. He lay down in this robe, a very picture of death, and passed into death thus garbed.

Because of the laws of the state, Brother Sturgeon could not be permitted to proceed to Kansas City for the services of an embalmer, but left the train at Waynoka, Oklahoma, causing a delay of seven hours in the journey eastward. Chicago was reached Thursday morning. Several hundred friends of the Chicago class were at the Dearborn St. station to meet the train, and had provided a hearst to convey the remains of their Pastor to the Union Depot. Thirty six-passenger touring cars were engaged to convey the friends across, and these, with private cars, made a considerable funeral procession through the streets of Chicago’s business district. Elders of the Chicago class served as pallbearers. An elaborate floral tribute was provided by the class there.

The casket was opened in a freight apartment of the Union Depot, and the Chicago friends were privileged for the last time to gaze upon the human features of their precious teacher and friend. Brother Sturgeon was then joined by Brother and Sister L. W. Jones of Chicago, Br. and Sister Charles S. Osburn of Wilmington, Ill., and Sisters Anna Bonney and Susan J. Blades of Wichita, Kan., and resumed the journey east. Brother E. W. V. Keuhn of Toledo, Ohio, joined the party later, Brother Kuehn having often been Brother Russell’s traveling companion, and, together with Dr. Jones and several other brethren, having made with him the famous tour around the world in investigation of the work of foreign missions.

The party arrived in Pittsburg Thursday evening, expecting to reach New York Friday morning. Memorial services were planned for two o’clock Sunday afternoon in the New York Temple, journey to be resumed Sunday evening back to Pittsburgh, where memorial services were planned to be held Monday afternoon, with interment Tuesday, November 7, in the cemetary near Allegheny controlled by the Society of which Brother Russell has to this time been the only head, the cemetery which it is said was once his farm.

The time that remains before the forms of this issue must be closed does not permit any attempt to write a fitting tribute to the memory of him who has gone to his great reward, nor even to recount the striking events and achievements of his singularly successful career. In the language of a brother here, it is certain that no man has lived on earth since the days of the Apostles who has done so great work, and it is doubtful whether any of the Apostles devoted so many years and traveled so many miles and reached so many people with the message of the Kingdom as Pastor Russell did. To properly sum up this work will require labor and deliberation. Many pens and many tongues are certain to devote themselves to that loving and inspirig task; this paper will be of that number, in days to come.

Meanwhile, what of the future? What effect will Pastor Russell’s translation have upon the work? Doubtless this question has been in the mind of all who have taken note of the event, both friends and those outside. We are not prophets; the future alone will tell what it will bring. Nevertheless, the teachings of the Scriptures regarding the work to which we have consecrated our all, the admonitions of the Word as to our various duties as servants of the Lord, are sufficiently clear to make it possible for all of us with very little hesitation to say what many of the results OUGHT TO BE and therefore, in the Providence of God, WILL BE.

One thing is certain, THE WORK WILL GO GRANDLY ON UNTIL THE FULL DESCENT OF THE DARK NIGHT IN WHICH JESUS DECLARED NO MAN CAN WORK. God’s entire will as to the harvesting and the sowing will be accomplished before that night fully descends. Not the death of a thousand saints could in any way interfere with the majestic tread of Divinely ordered events. On the contrary, with God at the helm, and all things working according to the counsel of His will, and for the good of those who are called according to His purpose, we are sublimely confident that the translation of any saint will but promote the appointed consummation. If there is further work to be done here, the promotion of That Servant will accelerate and facilitate the work; otherwise God would have deferred the time of the promotion.

If Pastor Russell is now a partaker of the Divine Nature-and we all believe it if we believe anything at all-he is far better furnished to assist in the work, nay, to supervise the work, than ever he was while in the flesh. If he was able to meet with us once a year or twice a year to minister to our growth and our enduring power, he is able now to meet with us, unseen, but far more real, many times as often. Heretofore we could know that he was in New York or Seattle or Londin, thousands of miles away from us, taking days to reach him by letter or in person. Now the Lord can send him instantly anywhere to minister to those who are yet to become heirs of the great salvation, and we cannot hold a single meeting anywhere for study or preaching or testimony and be sure that he is not near us with his now boundless possibilities for assistance. The other side seems surely nearer, since Pastor Russell is there.

If we could but have had this picture before our minds while he was here, how many heart aches we could have saved him, holding him in respect as a prospective heir to glory, and refraining from annoying him with tales of friction in the classes and freakish new winds of doctrine. And if this lesson now sinks into our hearts, how it should warn us to redeem the time that remains by showing such respect to those prospective heirs of glory who still remain this side of the veil. Our love for Brother Russell should surely inspire us as never before to be true to his many counsels and let brotherly love and mutual upbuilding continue.

If this spirit animates us-and it will undoubtedly animate all who maintain a hope of the great promotion-it will above all other considerations cause us to be true to those who shall step into his place as the governors of the course of that machinery. We will have the right spirit that breathes in the resolutions of the St. Paul class.

Zeal and loyalty will take on new life. Mutual forbearance will be more striking than ever, as we realize that the need of it will be greater.

It is within the bounds of possibility, if not probability, that some will be led astray by ambition or pride to have their own way, now that the master-director is gone. It is possible that some will become sulky, and rebel against the arrangements that may be made to complete the work. These are unpleasant things to contemplate at such a time. We are warned by the Word of God, however, to expect the fiercest of testings, siftings and separations in the last days; and we know that it is not the ostrich, with head buried in the sand, that is most safe. The one forewarned and forearmed is safest. Pardon, therefore, this word of brotherly concern for the common safety.

We are fully convinced that, come siftings as they may, those who test every action in the light of the doctrines and methods and spirit of Brother Russell, as he tested his by the Scriptures, will stand firmly to the end, and go to join him in the company of the celestials. This is a safe test of conduct for all of us, from the least to the greatest, and therefore should be applied to our every action. And we believe that if any should prove unfaithful in the severe tests to this rule of action, others can only plead with them to apply this rule; and if they will not heed, they must be quietly and sadly but firmly left behind to go their own way into danger of final loss. Let us set our faces individually as the flint to run on in the light we have seen, in sweet accord with all who are striving to run with us. Let us be unwaveringly loyal to those who shall be commissioned to direct matters. Let us maintain our faith that the circle of the brethren at the Bethel who have lived with Brother Russell and have imbibed daily the sweet atmosphere of his well-rounded Christian character will know best how to plan the work. If this is our spirit, all will be well with us individually. As for the work, we cannot thwart that. It is a certainty that those who are loyal to our traditions will successfully prosecute the work to its consummation and will then receive the rewards of faithfulness. The only question is: Which ones of us will be found among that number when the roll of them is at last complete? It is a solemn question and a distinctly individual one. If we can keep our mouths closed and our hearts open, there will be little danger.

Of course, the great sermon publication feature of the harvest is at an end. But the other features undoubtedly will go on. The Watch Tower we MUST have. It will be our bond of visible unity. It will keep us in fellowship. It is not unlikely that Brother Russell has left unpublished manuscripts as a basis for still future ministry to us through the Tower. Surely his earthly work is not even yet all done; he though dead, yet speaketh.

The great outline for Pastoral Work, just given to us complete from his hand, will surely be prosecuted with even greater vigor than if he had lived; for we have the additional incentive of giving this service as a tribute to his matchless leadership. Surely the Lord did not permit That Servant to remain long enough to outline that work for naught. The stamp of the Lord’s approval seems clearly upon it; therefore it should go forward with vigor. And may it not prove true that the very vigor with which this work is done will crystalize the opposition of Babylon’s Federation and divide the troubled waters and cause the descending of the night and the passage of the faithful over the stream to the Better Side? Is it not more than probable that the last work outlined by That Servant will prove to be the last work of the Church in the flesh, so that in this significant sense it may be truly said that Brother Russell had FINISHED HIS COURSE?

W. H. BRADFORD.

——————————-

Banner Items from the Tues., Nov. 7, 1916 Edition of the St. Paul Enterprise

——

Resolutions Adopted by the St. Paul Ecclesia of the International Bible Students’ Association at Testimony Service at the Home of Brother and Sister T. P. Grout, 821 Curfew Ave., Wednesday Evening, Nov. 1, 1916:

It is with feelings of keen personal loss that we have heard today of the passing beyond the Second Vail yesterday of our most beloved earthly leader, brother and friend, our Pastor, Charles T. Russell, while in his usual active service of Divine Truth on a Santa Fe train.

We cannot find words to express our sense of personal bereavement. Nevertheless, we have the sublime assurance that he is now with the Lord and His glorified saints, so that we rejoice even in sorrow, and realize that our faithful servant, possessed of the Divine nature, is even better able to minister to us, though unseen.

Presuming that he has left behind his own suggestions as to the arrangement for a visible successor to the great work he has laid down, and that the work will thus continue in the spirit in which our Pastor has prosecuted it in the past, until the time in our Father’s providence when all the saints shall be joined in triumph, we pledge to all our brethren in the organization our loyal cooperation in such arrangements.

We join in praying for such a measure of Divine Grace for ourselves and for all, that we may be able to exhibit, in the midst of whatever trials may come, more and more of the Master’s Spirit, in our mutual relationships and in the prosecution of the work left us yet to do; that the loss of our leader’s personal presence may but lead us to reflect more and more the richly benevolent spirit that characterized all his life.

Unanimously passed by the Class, over forty members being present, and signed at their request, in their behalf, by their servants,

H. B. MORRISON, Secretary.

CHAS. L. DICK, Chairman.

——

The Man Clothed in Linen With the Ink Horn

In a letter received from Brother Abbott, mailed at Pittsburgh, is an interesting note. He says that under the picture of Brother Russell that forms the frontispiece of the 1916 convention report issued by Brother Jones, the following inscription will be found:-

THE MAN WITH THE INK HORN. "And behold the man clothed with linen which had reported the matter, saying:-‘I have done as thou hast commanded me.’"-Ezekiel 9:11.

Brother Sturgeon has the literal ink horn. It is an Ideal fountain pen of India rubber with a gold filigree marked-"To Pastor Russell."

Now that there can be no more convention reports containing sermons and question meetings of Pastor Russell, the friends everywhere will be expecially anxious for copies of this last one, so soon to come off the press. Brother Jones will doubtless be overwhelmed with demands for this great book, and the early orders will be the most certain to be filled. For that reason, no one who desires to have Brother Russell’s latest answers to question, etc., should fail to place their order at once. We are not commissioned to say this, but will say it anyway, of our own account.

The book also contains an address by Brother Oscar Magnuson, on successful methods of putting our literature into the hands of the people. This will be an inspiration and practical aid to all the sisters who are to go into the Pastoral Work, and it alone is worth the price of the book to all who enter that work. Orders should be addressed to DR. L. W. JONES, 4100 Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois.

——

The Man Clothed in Linen.

Ezekiel 9.

——

And the Lord said unto him,

From the center to the rim

Of the city travel thou and set a mark

On the foreheads of the men

Who sigh and sorrow when

They see the Light o’erpowered by the Dark.

Oh, Dispenser of the Meat,

We have heard the message sweet,

Raise each heart and raise each voice to Heaven’s Dome.

And the King Omnipotent

Praise until our breath be spent;

For harbored art thou, havened art thou, Home.

And the Man in Linen said,

As he humbly bowed his head,

And the ink-horn by his side was emptied quite-

As thou hast commanded me,

I’ve accomplished Thy decree,

Please take me into Glory, Honor, Light.

* * * * * *

From a heart filled with grief and joy, I say to all the dear ones, even as he is saying now, "Praise ye the Lord."

R. D. WORK

Nov. 1, 1916. Philadelphia.

———

Voices of the People, or What our Readers Say

Just as the forms are being locked up, word reaches us from the Editor that he is stopping at the Bethel Home and having rich fellowship with the Brethren. He says the Nov 15 Tower is already on the press from the pen of our Pastor, and that the Dec. 1 Tower will be a memorial number.

Voices of the People, or What our Readers Say

These are Our Readers’ Columns for the Fair, Free and Frank Discussion of all Matters of Human Interest.

Alva, Okla., Nov. 2, 1916.

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

You know by now of the death of our beloved Pastor. He died below Canadian, Texas at 2 o’clock in the afternoon of Oct. 31; was taken off the train at Waynoka, Okla., just 24 miles west and some south of here.

Brother Sturgeon was going to take him where he could be properly embalmed, but had to stop at Waynoke, where an inquest was held and he was prepared for burial.

Brother Sturgeon held the train for fifty minutes. A cousin of mother’s was on the train coming from his farm below Waynoka to here and saw them take dear Brother Russell off, and so when he came past mother’s house he saw the light in the window and came in and told mother. We were so surprised, it was such a shock to us. My brother (Lyman Voyles), Brother B. W. Backer of Stigler, Okla., who was staying at our house, and Sister Helen Noah motored down to Waynoka in Sister Noah’s car.

They kept even with the passenger train then going to Waynoka and got there as the train pulled out. They almost flew, for they thought-what if our dear Pastor was alone?

They were unable to find any one at first who could give them any information whatever, but finally they met a little boy who told them where to go. There in the back of a furniture store was all that remained of our beloved Pastor.

Brother Sturgeon was alone (no Truth friends there) and he was so glad to see them. They proceeded to finish preparing him for the trip back to Brooklyn, put the coffin on the car and they stood on the sides and the little body started for the depot. Brother Voyles stayed and came with Brother Sturgeon to Alva on the train and then bid him goodby. He also sent the message to the friends and got Brother Thorn to fill our dear Pastor’s place in Tulsa. (Speak in his stead, for none can fill his place.)

My brother had the pleasure of hearing Brother Russell in Kansas City speak to the class on Rom. 12:1, and he said how wonderful it seemed and how it came to him when he came in that night and saw dear Brother Russell dead. He had surely offered himself wholly and had been consumed to the last spark of energy in the Lord’s service. Truly 2 Sam. 3:38 was fulfilled. To think of such a little out of the way place where he was cared for, yet he would have had it so; and only four friends with him.

In our meeting last evening our text seemed very good, "Casting all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you." Those would have been our dear Brother Russell’s words of comfort to us, would they not?

In our last Tower it seemed that Brother Russell saw eye to eye. How good the Tower is-stronger meat than ever. Our elder remarked that he never heard Brother Russell speak so plainly to the elders before.

On page 328, first paragraph, beginning with "Take, therefore, heed among yourselves," etc., to "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His Grace,"-doesn’t it seem as if Brother Russell has his hands raised in giving us his last blessing?

How dear those words were to me when I read them. It seemed as if I could see him and hear them being spoken, although I never saw him in the flesh; but I ask the prayers of all that I may prove faithful. Would appreciate letters from any of the Truth friends that care to write.

We love the Enterprise and have been taking it since we first heard of it, and it grows better all the time. May you indeed be a more than conqueror.

Your sister, by His Grace,

MRS. NORAH VOYLES KEITH,

1008 Locust St.

—————————————————————

St. Paul Enterprise

November 14, 1916

——

On Pastor’s Last Rites

The following Items of Interest

On Pastor’s Last Rites

Editor Abbott and Pilgrim Bohnet

Writes Many Facts WhichFriends Eagerly Await

Editor’s Wife Retaliates In His Absence.

At United Cemeteries, Pittsburgh, Pa.,

November 1, 1916.

Written by J. A. Bohnet,

Pilgrim for the Enterprise.

A telegram from Lincoln, Kan., by Brother Menta Sturgeon reads:

"Brother Russell died enroute yesterday; will wire instructions for burial later. Can reach me Chicago, care Jones." This telegram would have shocked us greatly had we not been called on the phone at 6 a.m. this morning by Brother Bricker and informed of our brother’s sudden death. As it was, we have felt stunned by this sad intelligence all this day. Our best earthly friend has left us; gone Home to his merited eternal abode in the heavenlies. Sheep are we without an under-shepherd. And, while deeply regretting the loss of his wise counsel, we are rejoicing that his earthly labors are ended, his trials are now over. He is in the home of our Father and still has oversight of all our affairs, manifoldly more capable of serving our interests now than ever before. Glad are we that he died gloriously, without a touch of ignominy or pain.

So well do I recall his expression at the head of the Bible House stairs one afternoon, ten years ago, that he, like Jesus might be cut off in a manner that would be considered derogatory to his character, a thing he dreaded more than anything else. Well do I remember the serious face as he related to me the event of our Lord’s taking away; how that He was crucified as a malefactor, blasphemer against God, the awful crime of that day, whereas immorality at that time (was) rampant on every hand and nothing was thought of it. The thing Jesus held most sacred and inviolate was the very thing he was convicted of as worthy of death. Jesus was touched on His most tender spot. He was anything but a blasphemer. This is what hurt Jesus most of all. This is the cup He shrank from, yet was made to drink.

"The thing that I hold most sacred is my morality," said Brother Russell. "Blasphemy you hear today on almost every street corner and nothing is thought of it. But immorality now is the dreadful thing. I shrink from the possibility of my being innocently cut off from this life charged with immorality. I trust I may be spared the shame of having to drink this cup. And yet the innocent Jesus was not. Will it be the same in my case? God forbid! It seems to me I could endure almost anything but that. I pray it may be the Lord’s good pleasure to spare me from that awful humiliation."

In God’s good providence our dear brother was spared the drinking of that cup, for the Gospel Age work is about finished. In the case of Jesus it was only just begun, and his lamentable experience was essential to the success of God’s plan. We rejoice in Brother Russell’s honorable death. His fair name remains unsullied on the pages of history, even as his life is without spot or blemish. No man can truthfully say our brother ever dealt dishonorably, and none can say he ever spoke evil of anyone. His has been an exemplary life in word and in deed, and he was loved and esteemed most highly for his work’s sake. He literally wore himself out in the interest and service of truth and righteousness. A truly great man has gone to his high reward. Some one has ventured the thought that upon either side of Jesus sit Brothers Paul and Russell, the one the honored of all at the beginning of the Gospel Age, the other at the end of it. Who knows? If so, none will begrudge him the honor; all will say, "Amen!"

On one occasion it was my privilege at a public service to introduce our Pastor to the assembly. Inadvertently I mentioned incidentally that the speaker was laboring, not for earthly gain but for the reward of the after life. Brother Russell very promptly, yet kindly, corrected the statement by declaring that he is not striving for any reward in the here-after, but has already in this life an ample reward for the service he is rendering; that the Lord has greatly blessed him and given him already a rich return for his labor in the love and esteem of earthly friends, health and comfort.

Brother Russell labored under a heavy handicap, inasmuch as three days out of nine he had severe headaches. Frequently he was forced to take Bromo Seltzer to enable him to give the public address and then afterwards suffer the consequences of its partaking. But without it he could not have given the talk at all. Yet he never complained, although often was he compelled to seclude himself and avoid the greeting of friends following this exertion. His suffering was intense and he could not endure having to meet God’s people with a painful expression on his face; with a nearly breaking heart he wreathed his face in smiles. Only his most intimate associates knew how he suffered. Fortunately the noble brother was asleep within two minutes of the time his head touched the pillow at night, midnight usually being his retiring hour. Is it any wonder he died a score of years ahead of his natural time? His father looked younger at 84 than did the son at 64. In his lifetime Brother Russell has equalled the service of a man whose life reaches several hundred years. In other words, in actual experience, Brother Russell was several hundred years old.

On another occasion, Brother Russell told me that in his early life, after having read the Bible verse relative to speaking "idle words," he resolved to refrain from all manner of levity and joking, and that during the next day there were repeated promptings and offered incentives for getting off a good joke, but resolutely he refrained from indulging in what had to some extent become quite natural and habitual. Time after time he fought down the prompting all that day and well into the day following. Then he realized it was contrary to his nature to be strictly sober and long-faced under circumstances that admitted of merriment and amusement. "Indeed," said he, "yesterday was the most wretched day of my life, for so many occasions arose for witticisms and innocent remarks that by some might be regarded as idle words or jokings."

————

Arrangements For Pastor’s Burial

November 2

A telegram from Brooklyn announces funeral services in the New York temple at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, and a sending of the remains to Pittsburgh Monday for interment.

Another telegram says, "Prepare grave for Brother Russell in designated spot at Rosemont United Cemeteries. Have undertaker at depot to meet the 9:30 train Monday to convey the body to the place of service. Six brethren will accompany."

Arrangements are made to call for the body with an auto hearse, take it to Carnegie Music Hall of 1,100 seating capacity, where Brother Russell so often preached to the public on Sundays, and where the famous six-night debate with Rev. Eaton took place. There the corpse will be on view and services held, after which the remains will be brought by limousine funeral to the Rosemont section of the United Cemeteries and buried in the Bethel lot of 192 graves. The Society having also another lot close by of 96 graves space. All the grave earth is being hauled away from the grave location, afterwards to be brought back and the grave filled in. It is expected the funeral attendance will exceed 1,000, with never before so impressive a ceremony. Arrangement is being made for handling the crowd by auto along Cemetery Lane, three-fourths of a mile, a macadamized county highway. Brother Russell’s body will be interred in the middle of the top row of graves, the grave of honor. To whom shall be the secondary honor of burial on either side? Who knows?

It is designed to have photographic views of the funeral march and interment, as many of the Truth Friends doubtless will want them. Perhaps also a picture of the floral display and the grave, if possible all in one. In such event we expect the Society will handle the order, to whom we prefer to turn over the photo plates.

The grave occupies conspicuous space on a beautiful slope, plainly in sight from the office windows, and at a distance of about 300 feet across from the entrance way. The grave location is the choice of our dear departed brother, and the section rule is in accordance with his suggestion.

The lining of Brother Russell’s grave-pure white, emblematic of his purity of life-was decorated with one thousand feathery mountain ferns and elaborately studded with white chrysanthemums, the handiwork of the cemetery associates under the oversight of the writer, assisted by Brothers F. E. Williams and N. E. Nelson and wife of Duquesne. It was loving hands that wrought this work of art as a last tribute to our noble brother. The cemetery associates are Brothers Gillespie, Levens, Lindsay, Hurst, and Sisters Castor and Shoemaker. All about the grave was a profusion of floral designs, the tributes of far and near ecclesias of our precious faith and hope. The securing of the fernery and flowers necessitated an auto night trip of 25 miles by Brother Wahn of Avalon. It was the writer’s sad privilege and honor to operate the lowering device at this memorial interment of the specially appointed servant of God, the feeder of his little flock of faithful believers, and thus was laid away the earthly remains of the most highly honored Godly servant of modern times.

The casket with its outer box (shipping case) was put in an encasement of solid cement of six inches thickness, top, bottom, sides and ends, to make the interment perfectly secure. Brother A. N. Pierson of Cromwell, Conn., superintended this feature of the burial as also the arrangement of the flowers about the grave. After the impressive parting hymn was sung by the double quartette, Brother I. F. Hoskins’ prayer following, the friends were invited to take each a flower as a memento of this never-to-be-forgotten event.

Brother Wm. L. Abbott being present I will here leave the subject for his presentation of all further account of the proceedings. He has consented to remain with us over another day.

———-

Dear Enterprise Family:

The Friends will remember how Brother Abbott put my personal letters while on the Western tour in 1915 uncensored into the Enterprise, and can imagine something of how I felt about it. I have waited patiently and waited long to get even-but, oh, revenge is sweet. I am publishing his personal letter because I believe he will be better understood by letting the friends know things they never otherwise would know.

Anyway, it is a woman’s foolish impulse that I do this, and I do it regardless of the consequences. I think my husband has it coming to him when you remember how he printed my letters.

-MRS. WILLIAM L. ABBOTT.

————

N.S. Pittsburgh, Pa., Nov. 7, 1916.

Dear Little Girl:

I am at Brother Bohnet’s home and unreasonable as it may sound to you, I have the first opportunity for writing you a letter.

There were memorial services at the New York Temple at 2 o’clock Sunday. There was considerable rain, but there were many more than could get into the Temple that came. I heard there were 300 friends in the basement who could not squeeze in. I stood during the long services.

We left at about 11:30, having two special cars on the regular train, which arrived at Pittsburgh about 9:45 a.m. yesterday. The memorial services were held in the Carnegie Music Hall in Allegheny and the burial was out here. I have a wonderful story to tell, hampered however by many suggestions not to breathe a word about things till they first appear in the Watch Tower to come out in December.

When coming into Pittsburgh from New York, Brother Driscoll, with whom I was a traveller all the way, said: "By the way, I was made a committee to see you and tell you to get nothing in the Enterprise till after it comes out in the Tower." It fairly stunned me, for I knew that the paper was printing. I said: "You are surely deliberate in telling me about it and now the wheels are turning." "Can’t you stop them?" he asked. "I don’t see how it is practicable now," I said, and later and on due reflection I told Brother Pyles that I shall not permit a little clique of self-constituted dictators to run my affairs. However, dear, I need to be very careful to do nothing indiscreet.

Brother Russell, even when greatly desired by me that he would give me some suggestions in the conduct of the paper, consistently refused to be anything but neutral, though he was gracious and appreciative of our desires for his advice. And there are many who have much yet to learn from his wise example.

Of course, I desire to conduct things discreetly under such circumstances, but my work is to tell things of interest to my readers. They have paid for such, and if the death and burial of Brother Russell is not of interest to the readers of the paper, then what is?

I find that the Labor Tribune prints two kinds of papers, and that the sermons go only to the friends who think when subscribing for it that they are helping put the Truth matters before a large number outside. I am glad we have never attempted anything that savors of such unfairness, and I have had letters explaining that though they liked the Enterprise best they took the Tribune in order to get the sermons before the laboring classes. The poor friends are preyed upon by every sort of device.

I had upper 7 and Brother MacMillan had lower 7, and in the night I dreamed of Brother Barton’s picture of getting above our troubles and using them for stepping stones to higher things. Bro. MacMillan is so petulant, lacking in tact and egotistical that I have been tempted very sorely by him.

I love Brother MacMillan, but I cannot do other than resist several little traits he is possessed with. I could tell a heart-breaking story of his persistent attempts to humiliate me, but I have striven as bravely as I can to permit none of it to disturb the serenity and even tenor of my way; but it seems to me deplorable that even in the death of our great leader and the solemn days at hand the spirit of enmity for me could not be buried.

The wealth of this world could not induce me to put myself forward or to force myself into the light, and yet to an astonishing degree the dear friends have grasped my hand and expressed such loving sentiments that I realize my friends among God’s people are legion; and still I fully realize that a few stand back with green eyes of envy and think bitter things and say cutting things; yes, and in the back and in the dark run daggers into me.

I have thought a good deal of that faithful servant, and how in Matthew that wicked servant who smites his fellow servant was so closely connected that until the fulfillment of the prophecy it could not be understood, but it must be remembered the "but and if" and that there would be "wailing and gnashing of teeth." Of course, this is a figurative expression. It was the robe of Elijah with which the waters of Jordan were smitten, and then the waters were divided so both Elijah and Elisha crossed. And when Elijah was taken away in the fiery chariot his robe fell, and Elisha wore it.

I could not help but think of the prophecy of the day of preparation for the Kingdom, how the chariots would seem like flaming torches and how railway trains were described as chariots of fire. And also how, like Elijah, Brother Russell was aboard a chariot of fire when he passed beyond. And I seem to feel that the robe he dropped, as he left this life, may divide the friends before the rightful owner finally wears it. Already I see opportunities for many to be divided in opinion as to how things shall be. Brother MacMillan stated in my presence, "Brother Russell said to me, ‘Want you to remain in charge until I come back,’ and now he never will come back," and at once another brother, (and that was not me either) said, "Well, he has come back." And so I see the time of trouble approaching, but I fully resolve to have nothing to do with it-absolutely nothing.

I am enclosing a sweet poem by Sister Seibert which she gave to me personally and which she wrote on learning the news of Brother Russell’s death. It was read both here and at New York. Strange to say, I took no pictures whatever, though I have my camera constantly, but I shall take some today. I have a rose preserved in alcohol taken from a funeral wreath by Brother Pierson specially for the purpose and am going to present it to the friends in St. Paul.

Brother N. E. Nelson, with whom I have had some controversy as to the proper conduct of the Enterprise in its relations to some things I did not believe expedient to publish, proved to me conclusively that he is a brother indeed and that our hearts beat in unison, though our heads may differ. Brother Nelson made it possible for me to save this white rose-emblem of purity-for the St. Paul friends by taking me in his auto to a drug store, where I got a bottle and some alcohol and something to seal the bottle with, then he carried me back again.

Brother Bohnet, old bachelor that he is, was the head of a large household last night. There was one table for the sisters and then another for the brothers. The work of filling the grave was done last night, and we are most fortunate in having words from Brother Bohnet’s own pen for the friends through the Enterprise.

Poor Brother Bradford must suffer much because he befriended me. I have been asked so often that I can see how wicked-positively devilish-stories against him have been told and retold until they are scandalous and impair his possibilities for service, I fear.

But with all these things that jar one’s sensibilities and curdle his blood for a moment, the friends are still the most wonderful people in all the earth. Words fail utterly to tell of their many virtues; but it is an easy thing to point the finger of scorn and criticism, yet we must not sit in the seat of the scornful. I cannot fail to contrast some of them, however. You remember how at Bethel last year, you and I were impressed with the fact that all the friends during the prayer meeting remained absolutely undisturbed or in any way moved when the little dog outside poured forth the sadness of his little heart every time the organ was played and the friends sang. I could not do otherwise than be equally impressed at Milwaukee with how the noise in connection with the preparation of the Auditorium for Candidate Hughes’ meeting was annoying, but not permitted to disturb the dear people of God; and particularly where Brother Russell was conducting the question meeting and they were preparing for the Pure Food Show back of the great drapery which divided the auditorium and the pounding and sawing was exceptionally loud. Brother Russell went along with the service with absolutely not one bit of intimation that he was disturbed.

I saw a painful contrast yesterday, however, and it made my heart bleed and hindered what otherwise might have been a good witness for the Truth. I arrived at the Carnegie Music Hall, where the memorial services were held, fifteen minutes before they began and found the house already filled and small chance of even standing room. Passing for the last time the bier of our dear Brother, I went along down past those standing and found the very last place, way back in a corner, where there was a door into a hallway that led to a room for ladies. Beside me stood somebody’s frail little mother. She looked very tired indeed, and warm too, and a sister brought a chair and opening the door into the hall placed the chair so it held the door open, permitting some circulation of air which had become very oppressive-almost stifling. But soon the sister arose and, just like one of Christ’s little ones, which she was, said, "It looks too selfish for me to occupy the chair long," and she rose. Then I helped the tired little lady into the chair, assisted her in removing her coat and handed her a card to fan herself with. She merely looked grateful, for she was a gentle lady.

Suddenly I realized that the Pittsburgh friends have a "policeman" to keep them precise-a man with a pin emblem on his lapel and with neither a sad or glad expression of countenance, but one as if all the responsibilities of the world weighed heavily upon him.

In a grating, severe tone of voice he commanded, "Shut that door."

The little lady rose, confused, carried the chair back and then came through and stood beside me. I fanned her, for the air was stifling. I even held open the door for more air till the severe, commanding look from the "policeman" led me to close it.

Plainly the little lady was ill. I merely smiled at her and continued to fan her. She was not one of us, but was an inquirer who had come to the funeral. It was easy to see she was ill. She whispered, "Are you one of these? Do you believe his teachings?" "Yes, sister," I said, "and so will you, if you read them." Surely no one but the "policeman" realized she had whispered. Then in audible voice which was truly a disturbance and with an angry look the "policeman" said, "The friends will please stop whispering" and something more which I do not recollect. Her face burned with a pained look. She said, "I will leave-I am ill-I thank you for your courtesy," and started on the seeming impossible endeavor of getting through the crowd of standing people blocking the passageway.

At the Cemetery later it was confirmed to me that the man was a misfit who had constituted himself a commander. I heard him uttering commands which no one heeded, for the heart-breaking scene of the last parting with our dear leader overwhelmed it all.

I am glad that we in St. Paul have none of such annoyances, but we love the brethren. Down beneath the rough exterior that I fear hindered what might otherwise have been a good witness, there doubtless beats a heart that loves God and is striving to know the way that leads to glory. How charitable we must be, and how lacking in charity I am in telling you about it, but the thing impressed me so it still troubles me. I must be stronger, so I can say, "None of these things move me."

Dear Sister Lee, before she left St. Paul, told me how quick she used to be annoyed and how she had overcome it, so that things that used to be severe tests no longer disturbed her serenity and the even tenor of her way.

I am going out to take some pictures of the grave of Brother Russell. In the future we cannot pray "God bless our dear Pastor Russell," but it was suggested at Bethel we can pray "God bless the memory of dear Pastor Russell."

At the grave, two heavily veiled ladies followed the coffin, one on the arm of Brother Pyles of Washington, the other on the arm of another brother-I think it was Brother Driscoll. One of these ladies was Mrs. Russell-a widow indeed, and I shed a tear for her as I thought how she has suffered and that from her viewpoint she had been wronged. I hope she will be brought nearer the Master by the death of her husband and will not remain in widowhood, but become the bride of Christ Jesus.

Oh, I could write on and on, for the story I have to tell would require much writing, but how am I to tell the story I went way to New York to learn? And what will our readers say when they learn that I have been through all these experiences and remain mute? Verily the burdens laid upon me by some of the brethren seem unreasonable-their demands impossible of granting.