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

 

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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.

 

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

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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St. Paul Enterprise

 

November 14, 1916

 

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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.

 

Oh, but they are not all like that!  As I hurried over to Brother Wisdom at Bethel and told him I love him still and that nothing shall mar my love, I found him just as he was a year ago-the same dear, kind, loving (a bit unwise I fear) Wisdom as before.  I know he is a brother.

 

I must write a story for the paper, but pray, how can I?  What shall I say?  If I open my mouth I will put my foot right in it-if I close it I will get my foot in it anyhow.  I’m bound to get many swift feet behind anyway.  Guess I’ll have to continue journeying somewhere and let you run the paper till that Memorial Number of the Tower is out, and they will be so kind as to unbuckle my muzzle.

 

I am nailed to the cross by so many of the chosen people that I suffer much, but I strive to say, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

 

I’ll write out as I find opportunity a slight description of the memorial services at Brooklyn, New York, and here also at the cemetery, so you may tell the St. Paul friends.  I feel that I should do it for all the readers of the Enterprise, but I am beheaded in this case as in others and submit to the dictation.

 

Brother Nelson is now coming in his auto and will show Brother Bohnet and me through the steel mills, and I must stop writing.  I hope you are getting by with the paper, under your handicaps, and I realize that but for my faithful little frau I would have missed this great blessing of the trip to New York and this close association with the friends at Bethel.

 

I am going to tell you something, dear, which will hurt you.  It hurt me dreadfully, but I am trying to be guided by the Master and not be disturbed by it, but it was so humiliating because it appeared that I was endeavoring to put myself forward and to get into the lime light, and you know that I would rather be dead than have such a disposition for a moment.

 

At Bethel, Brother Ritchie said:  "Immediately after dinner I wish to meet brethren, who have come from a distance, in the back of the dining room."  Well, I came from a distance and I have a witness that I am one of the brothers, but I got Brother Ritchie’s eye as he spoke and I imagined that he meant me.

 

So with others I went as directed and later he came.  He explained how in his will, Brother Russell had expressed a desire that at his memorial service brethren from a distance could take part, and he wrote my name down.  I should have known better even if the dear Brother did not, but how could I refuse to do a service when so directly asked?  I felt as one wading out into cold water before the first plunge-it fairly took my breath away and I gasped:  "I’ll write out something, Brother, and if you approve it and if you wish it I will consider it a great honor indeed to pay tribute to our Brother’s memory."

 

I wrote out on Brother Van Amburgh’s typewriter and showed it to him and Sister Van Amburgh what I had done.  They liked it.  Later I showed it to Brother Ritchie and he said it was fine.  I was told just how to go and where to be and when, and with Bro. Pyles of Washington I was where I was asked to be.  Then Bro. MacMillan came along and directed me the way out.  "Why, Bro. Abbott is to have a part in the symposium," said Bro. Pyles.  Thereupon, Bro. MacMillan passed by me, crossed the rear of the stage like a flash, though the flowers hid him from the view of the congregation, then several brethren were called over and afterward Bro. Ritchie came back and said (and his explanation were better to have been the naked truth), "The number must be cut down, and so he must scratch me off."

 

Foolishly I hesitated as I wished to tell him as I did:  "Brother, I understand, and it is unfortunate that I should have been asked," but my hesitation and expression I am sure led the dear Brother to think I was making an insinuation and was endeavoring to be insistent and attempting to force myself in, regardless of the situation.

 

How one must learn to be humble.  I was always democratic and never possessed of overwhelming pride, and I wonder why such tests must come.  Is it possible I am unduly proud?  God forbid.  I want to be humble, but not so humble as a certain elder, who will not let the notice of his public discourses appear in the papers, because to see his name in print may puff him up.  Nor do I want to be like Bro. Toole’s man who was so humble-oh, so very, very humble that it became a matter of pride with him and he was so proud of his humility.  You know I haven’t got that far yet.

 

I have wished every hour that you could have been with me, dear.  There have been so many things to show you that you are really one of us and that you should wait no longer, but surrender self and acknowledge your loyalty by symbolizing your consecration unto God.  It is just a contract between you and God, and if you were alone on a desert island you would surely get right with God.  You really are alone, although in the greatest crowd on earth, if you are not with the Master.  I would not urge you unduly, but you have waited long and know enough so if you are lost your blood will be upon your own head.  We are not happy when separated here.  Do you think you will be happy beyond if we are separated?

 

It is six minutes of 12 and at Bro. Bohnet’s there is all system.  I must close.  He sends greetings to you and I have them from many for you, especially from all the Van Amburghs.

 

I have only begun to tell you about it, but, dear, I must stop now.  I hope things are not too hard for you in my absence.  I certainly appreciated you standing by in my absence, and it is a fine thing for any man who is blest with a wife who can hold down his job and let him go away, as you do for me.  God be with you, dear, till we meet again.  Love to all the folks and the doggies.

 

WILL

 

————

Gone Home

 

Gone Home!  To be forever with the Lord,

 

White-robed and clothed with Immortality;

 

Beholding face to face Jehovah God!

 

Gone Home!  All sorrow, pain and anguish left

 

Behind.  ‘Tis finished, all the sacrifice,

 

And faithful unto death he hears, "Well done,

 

Come, enter thou into the promised joy!"

 

What message would our shepherd send to us?

 

To us who wait this side the parting vail?

 

"Be brave, be strong, weep not, have faith in God,

 

The fields are white to Harvest, go ye forth,

 

And, even as our Master said:  ‘Lo, I

 

Am with you always, even to the end,’

 

So shall my loving presence go with you,

 

Until ye too shall hear His sweet ‘Well done’

 

So shall there be one shepherd and one flock

 

And all rejoice together with the Lord."

 

November 1, 1916

 

GERTRUDE W. SEIBERT.

 

————

Written for the Bethel Symposium at Request of Brother Ritchie.

 

————

 

From the North Star state, as a token of respect, to our departed leader, I bring a tear of burning love.  Ah, the Brethren of Minnesota, even as you do, loved him!  Many are the tears shed this day!  Sad, glad tears. Sad because of our loss, glad because of his triumph.

 

I think of him the way he was on the day I symbolized my consecration of my all to God.  "I have heard the good news-I congratulate you, brother," he said.  His attitude toward me has always been just as he was then and oh I loved him so, for he introduced me to the King of Heaven.

 

Be assured, dear ones, that your Brethren in the North Country in humble submission bow to the Master in the crisis in our experiences and say:  "It is the Lord; let him do as seemeth him good."  They realize that a Mighty One in Israel has fallen and that there is no more any prophet, neither is there among us any that knoweth how long, but they see by the signs of the times that the time indeed is short.

 

On leaving St. Paul Wednesday evening I read a copy of a resolution which I have been informed was unanimously passed by the St. Paul Class, in which, among other things, was a pledge of loyal support to those at Bethel.

 

As  one of them I assure you you may depend on us to be helpful in many ways.

 

We know the man clothed in linen which had the inkhorn by his side, who reported the matter saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.  We know also that though he be dead he yet speaketh and we will strive to study the report he made in our endeavors to know and to do our Great Master’s Will.

 

Bro. William L. Abbott,

 

St. Paul, Minn.

 

————

 

Dear Friends at Home:

 

I have had a blessed experience and I am glad to say that my last report was read over and approved by Brother Sturgeon, fully understanding it was to be published in the Enterprise.

 

I wish I had the thing straight, so I could report it, but somewhere during Brother Sturgeon’s narration to me he quoted the Scripture (and I believe it was when Brother Russell saw death approaching, he said):  It is the Lord; let Him do what seemeth good.  And Brother Sturgeon says he went to his death just as he would go out on a trip in the work thus he went out into the unseen land.

 

At Pittsburgh Brothers Bricker and Dr. Spill met the train for conference with Brother Sturgeon on funeral arrangements.  The body will lay in state at Carnegie Hall, and there will be services Monday and the burial will be at United Cemeteries, of which Brother Bohnet has charge.  I got Brother Bohnet out of bed and had a telephone talk with him, agreeing to stop over with him a while on the return from New York.

 

We arrived in Pittsburgh at 8:45 Central time, and left at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.

 

Friday morning, Nov. 3, broke with a cloudless sky.  We had breakfast in the train and arrived at the Pennsylvania station in New York about 9:20 a.m.

 

Brothers Conrad Kuehn, A. H. MacMillan, A. I. Ritchie, J. F Rutherford, and W. E. Van Amburgh met Brother Sturgeon at the station.  Brother and Sister L. W. Jones, Brother and Sister C. S. Osburn, Sisters Bonney and Blades and I took surface cars to the Brooklyn bridge.

 

As we were about to take the bridge car, we met Brother Oscar Magnuson (the colporteur who spoke on that work at Milwaukee).  He stated at a meeting last night that certain arrangements for continuing the work were agreed upon and the report of what was done will appear in the Watch Tower.

 

As we walked over to Hotel Margaret, across the street from the Bethel, Brother Magnuson and I walked together.  He said he was on his way by pre-arrangement for a conference with Brother Russell in Brooklyn, when he heard news of his death.  Brother Magnuson wore a black tie which Brother Russell gave him and he told how he came to have it.

 

It seems that Brother Pearson had given Brother Magnuson a tie of brilliant red and green hues, and Brother Magnuson, who is a fearless soldier, was brave enough to wear it.  When Brother Russell saw him thus decorated he asked:  "Why these Swedish colors?"  Br. Magnuson replied:  "Why Swedish?  Joseph wore a coat of many colors, but it was not Swedish."  With a merry laugh Brother Russell slipped a 50-cent piece into Brother Magnuson’s pocket and said:  "I want you to get another necktie."  So he bought the black one which is just like my own.

 

We found Hotel Margaret filled, with room for not even one more.  We had with one consent agreed that the Bethel family would be burdened sufficiently without our giving them any additional cares, but were assured that all who could be received would be till the house is filled; and realizing what a blessed privilege it is to be there, I am to be tucked in with one of the brothers on Floor D.

 

Our beloved Brother Paul Johnson grasped my hand as I passed through the hall.  In the parlors I met again Sister Underwood of Springfield, Ill., now of the Bethel family; Br. T. E Barker of Boston, whom I first met at Bro. Hartshorn’s home at Springfield, Mass.; also Brother Smith, Sisters Roberts and Mason and many others, among whom was a young sister who is the "oldest sister" at Bethel, having been there now over eighteen years.  She is young Sister Burgess, and her conversation was most interesting.  I made a few notes while she was talking to the friends gathered in the parlor, but she was oblivious to this fact.

 

Her mother, a fully consecrated sister in the Truth for over twenty-two years, was exactly the same age as Brother Russell, and she died the day before Brother B. H. Barton passed beyond the veil.  Just previous to the death Brother Russell wrote her a beautiful letter, in which he told her that she would soon be with her Lord and that he would not be long in following her.  She was buried at Pittsburgh and near the spot where she was lain is the newly made grave where on Tuesday morning were placed the mortal remains of her faithful fellow servant.  He is the first one from the Bethel buried there since the laying away of this sister.  Sister Isaac Hoskins also is a daughter of hers.

 

At 12:15 we sat down at luncheon with the Bethel family and a large number of visitors.  At the head of the table, where I was privileged to sit, was the Pastor’s vacant chair, draped in white and gold, emblems of purity and the Divine nature, which is now his.

 

Brother R. H. Hirsh, who sat next to the vacant chair, presided as the head of the table, and while we were at luncheon, Brother Sturgeon was asked to make a report of his last trip, and he did so, beginning with his starting out with Brother Russell from Brooklyn and carrying the story on to the death of our leader.  I have told substantially the same story in my last communication.

 

Brother Van Amburgh by request explained that the Nov. 15 Tower being in type and practically ready for the press, it had been decided to get it out with but a brief mention of the Pastor’s death, but the following number will be in the nature of a memorial to Brother Russell.  Brother Van Amburgh stated that there would be a demand for extra copies and it would be well if the classes could decide how many extras would be wanted and notify the Tower office, so a sufficient number might be issued.

 

There were reports made, also, which pledged loyalty to the cause, and it was stated how messages of love and sympathy were coming, not only from the consecrated, but also from many others who had heard Brother Russell speak or had read his writings, for they seem to "Behold the man clothed in linen, which had the inkhorn by his side."  Surely though dead he yet speaketh and can say, "I have done as thou hast commanded me."

 

And how we all realize, "There is no more any prophet:  neither is there any among us any that knoweth how long."

 

Your brother,

 

W. L. ABBOTT.

 

————

Dear Friends

 

November 7, 1916

 

Dear Friends:

 

Brother Russell died in Drawing Room "A" in the car called "Rose Isle" of the Santa Fe.

 

There will be no effort made to give a detailed report of the Memorial Services for and the burial of Brother Russell, but knowing something of the great desire of many readers to learn about it we will tell just enough to whet their appetites for the Memorial number of the Watch Tower which will be the December 1 issue.

 

As Brother Sturgeon said:  "Brother Russell died as he lived-in an orderly, quiet way."  He sent no special message to the Bethel Family or to any individual, for he showed no favoritism.  His message is written in his books and the Watch Tower and in his sermons and it has been stated that enough of his messages have been reported and are yet unpublished to keep the Tower in material a long time.

 

It was suggested at Bethel that henceforth, as we cannot pray:  "God bless our dear Pastor," we say:  "God bless the memory of our dear Pastor Russell."

 

There are some features about the gathering of the faithful at Brooklyn that were so different from what one would find in a similar memorial for a man of the world that only those bound by the ties of Christian love could understand it.  As many of the friends from a distance, drawn together by the death of their leader, grasped hands, they smile; so there was a wonderful intermingling of smiles and tears.  Soon it will be all joy and every tear shall be wiped away.

 

It was my great privilege to be accorded a place with the dear ones at Bethel, and I sat at the table with the vacant chair at the head covered with calla lilies and golden ribbons, emblematic of purity and the Divine Nature.  In the window back of the vacant chair hung a picture of Pastor Russell and above it a rosette of white and gold with long silken ribbons of white and gold with their emblematic significance.

 

Above the Pastor’s vacant chair was a pure white dove with wings outstretched-emblem of Peace, and from its beak by silken ribbons hung the quotation from Sr. Seibert’s poem:

 

"Be brave, be strong, weep not,

 

Have faith in God."

 

On the front of the Bethel was a wreath of ferns and golden "Immortals."  In the drawing room, where our dead leader lay in state, the floral wreaths and decorations defied description.  The room was the identical one in which Henry Ward Beecher received President Abraham Lincoln in the days of the Rebellion.

 

A modest coffin was procured in Oklahoma to carry the precious burden to New York; but a beautiful casket, more fitting his position among us, was secured in New York.  Like one who had lain down in peaceful dreams, he lay and there was no evidence of the intense agony through which he had passed unflinchingly.

 

We arrived in New York Friday morning and were with the Bethel family at noon-day luncheon.  Brother Sturgeon recounted the eventful last tour from the time he left Brooklyn with the Pastor till the time of his passing beyond.

 

To me, though I have not heard it mentioned by others, there seemed much similarity in the translation of Elijah and the passing of the Pastor.  They were both on "Chariots of Fire."  The Prophet Nahum told of the chariots of fire in the "days of His preparation."

 

It was also my good fortune to be the guest of Brothers and Sisters W. E. and J. M. Van Amburgh at 71 Orange street, where I stayed at night and at Sunday dinner, though I was with the friends at Bethel at all other meals.

 

It seemed a shame to be an extra burden at a time like this by going to the Bethel when they had so much to endure, but in order to be able to give accurate account of it as well as the never-to-be-forgotten experience it was simply irresistible and I had to go.

 

Saturday morning I was strolling along with Brother Pyles of Washington, D. C., and we got to talking about Brother Russell’s asking for a Roman toga, and in order to know what significance it might have, we went to the Brooklyn Public Library, where by consulting a dozen or more classical writings and Encyclopedias, we found out much about the Toga.  Among other things,  "The Toga served as the exclusive garb and symbol of Peace."  It was the official robe of higher magistrates, of priests, and of persons discharging vows and was worn on special occasions, such as a General celebrating a triumph.

 

The New York Temple was such a mass of beautiful flowers that it defies description on my part.  There was a flash-light picture taken, however, and it will verify the statement that description is out of the question.

 

At 11 o’clock Sunday morning, there were some services, in which Brother MacMillan paid a loving tribute to Pastor Russell, who had been his friend and counsellor and with whom he lived many years.  I missed this part of the service, for I was with the Van Amburghs and came over with them an hour before the services to find the house filled to overflowing.

 

At 2 o’clock the memorial service began with a solo-the song that you have heard in the Photo Drama, "Be not afraid, My help is nigh, be thou faithful unto death and I will give to thee a crown of life."

 

It was sung by Brother Case most beautifully and impressively.  Songs 23 and 273 were also sung during the service.  Brother Menta Sturgeon told the story of his experience on the trip and of the death of Brother Russell.  Brother W. E. Van Amburgh gave a historical sketch of a Great Man, paying a personal tribute to him; and before closing he suggested that every one present who was glad to again renew his consecration should stand.  None remained seated in all that vast multitude.  Truly it was dramatic.

 

Then Brother Paul Johnson told us how as Moses had the 70, so Pastor Russell had the Pilgrims.  Representing them he paid a fitting tribute.  Then the song, Number 105, "Satisfied with Thy Likeness," was sung.

 

Following this, by special request of Brother Russell there was a symposium made up of short, living tributes to the memory of Pastor Russell by twelve brethren from divers parts of the country.  Br. C. A. Wise of Indianapolis, Br. E. W. V. Kuehn of Toledo, Brother L. W. Jones of Chicago, Br. G. C. Driscoll of Dayton, O., Br. Pyles of Washington, Brother Meggison of Boston, Brother Menturn of Toronto, Brother Shull of Columbus, O., Brother Kilgren of Springfield, Mass., Br. McCosh of Detroit, Mich., Br. C. J. Woodworth of Scranton, Pa., and Brother Ritchie of Brooklyn.  The report in the Memorial Tower will be so complete that nothing need be said now, but certainly the services were a fitting memorial for one we love so well.

 

At 8 o’clock the sermon of Brother Russell’s which he was scheduled to deliver Sunday evening in New York was read by Judge Rutherford, and then he read the will, and made a most touching and masterly address.  Mark Antony’s Oration of the Death of Caesar is lame when compared to the eloquence of Rutherford.  As Brother Rutherford stood over the bier of his beloved friend and gently wiped away the tears that had to come, it was a sight never to be forgotten.

 

There were fully 300 friends down stairs who could not get into the afternoon meeting, so as soon as the speakers finished upstairs they went down stairs and repeated their words to the friends there; so the speaking was going on in both halls at the same time.

 

At Allegheny there was a beautiful Memorial service at the Carnegie Music Hall.  The main feature of it was Brother Sturgeon’s story.

 

The interment followed.  It was s long way to the cemetery, but a multitude went out, and it was twilight when the hearse arrived and dusk when the services ended.

 

Brother Bohnet has told about the interment.  I stayed over night with Brother Bohnet and as I gazed out the window, I saw the green sward covered with many floral designs and beautiful wreaths lying about the grave, with the moonlight streaming down.  It was a never-to-be-forgotten night.

 

Brother Nelson took me in his auto to a drug store, where I had a white rose taken from a wreath made by Brother Pearson specially for the purpose, bottled in alcohol.  I will take it to the St. Paul Class as a memento.

 

I had blessed fellowship with the consecrated brothers and sisters at Brother Bohnet’s, and afternoon Tuesday-election day-was taken by Brother Nelson in his auto to Duquesne.  Brother Daddy Williams came with Brother Nelson and they showed Brother Bohnet and me some of the mysteries of the great steel industry-a most wonderful experience and treat for us.

 

Then we were guests at dinner at Brother Nelson’s home.  We had been taken all over the beautiful drive about Pittsburgh and its environs, past many historic points; were shown the spot where Braddock was shot and Duquesne made famous and had a wonderful experience.

 

With my little camera I snapped many scenes of interest in the haunts of our beloved Pastor before he moved away to Brooklyn.

 

I arrived in Chicago this morning and attended prayer meeting this evening and am so filled with things to tell about that it will take a long time to unload it all.  I expect to be away another week.

 

-W. L. ABBOTT.

 

___________________________________________

New Southern Hotel

 

Chicago, Ill., Nov. 9, 1916.

 

My Dearie:-It was after 2 o’clock this morning before I finished a letter to Brother Bradford and rolled into bed.  The message was sent "Special" so it will be delivered at his house tonight.

 

I was very tired yesterday and was "snoozing" after having a warm bath when the telephone rang and I found Dr. Jones kindly asking me to go with him to call on a sick Brother, and not long afterward he called with his big Hudson car.  Sister Adelaide, his daughter, and Sister Marie Horth were with him, and after changing a tire at a garage we went out Michigan boulevard, where the ladies alighted and then we went on to call at dear Brother———-, who is unable to leave his bed, having some permanent disability.

 

Much suffering has a very refining influence when rightly exercised by the cross he bears, and the dear Brother’s face was lighted with inward peace.  He is a nephew of our fellow citizen, Commissioner Farnsworth.

 

After telling the story of Brother Russell’s death and the funeral ceremonies, Dr. Jones took me to the Temple, where I was privileged to be one of the family at supper and attend the prayer meeting service, when Brother Jones told the friends something of the wonderful story of the passing of Brother Russell.

 

I found the papers you had sent me and it seemed good indeed to get the Enterprise.  Brother Bradford is to be congratulated on his intuition, for my notes were incomplete, but being so closely associated with Brother Sturgeon, I felt it better to get as full a set of notes as possible rather than to spend time writing it up.

 

Notes written on a flying train are often so poorly made that I find it difficult to read my own writing.  The story seems to be correct except in two minor matters-one is that when Brother Russell left the platform at San Antonio, the paper has it that he weakened and sat down.  The fact is that he did not die of heart trouble, but of an inflammation of the bladder, and while writing you on Brother Bohnet’s desk I could not fail to see on the burial permit that the cause of death was given as "Cystitis" and instead of weakening, the pain was excruciating.  The other was where I wrote "at length" and Brother Bradford had it "at night."  The truth is it was a full 24-hour day’s delay with its attendant annoyances through which dear Brother Russell neither murmured nor complained.  I have been thinking or dreaming all night and you have been near me in the night watches, and this morning after a bath and a trip to Marshall Fields to get word when I could have my kodak prints, I walked way back past many other restaurants to Hardy’s, because I wished to be just where we sat together there and where you went when starting on the 1915 tour to be in the same place.

 

After I got back to my room I read the Enterprise all through and I relished it much I suppose as our readers do.  I had a good cry, too, as I read some of the letters, particularly Sister Coyle’s and also Brother Lenba’s letter, where he tells of the boys in the threshing crew sleeping out in the fields under the stars.  I can see no reason why you can’t run the Enterprise even if your old man is taken over the Dark River.  It’s a fine thing to have a wife who is so helpful, and it is a fine thing to have a friend like Brother Bradford.  I don’t know how I could do without either of you.

 

In the night I saw in my dreams the peaceful scene I beheld from my bedroom at Brother Bohnet’s.  I saw the grave of Brother Russell with its banks of flowers and the moonlight streaming down upon it and I heard the angels singing the song of the dear friends as the coffin was lowered in the dusk of evening.  It is No. 98 in the Hymnal-"How Vain is All the Earth Below."

 

I thought of the unfortunate dislike Bro. MacMillan has for me, but I remembered I had upper seven and he had lower seven and that I am following Brother Barton’s suggestion to keep above my troubles and make them stepping stones to higher things.

 

You are very thoughtful, Girlie, to put into my grip the things I really needed and keep out what might burden me to carry.  I have had my linen clean all the time and still have some left.

 

I know it is true, dear, that I should have gotten some postals and sent you some messages, but I was taking notes and considering situations and thinking and thinking and wickedly neglecting you.  Forgive me, but I must tell you how false a light one walks in.  Brother Bohnet, when he found I had written a dozen pages to you and right up to the very minute to sit down to dinner, said:  "Well you certainly are a faithful correspondent with your wife," but I admitted then and there that before he made so rash a statement he should consult you.

 

I am bewildered, sweetheart.  If I go home I’ll get out a paper with so much about my experiences in this great crisis in the church that one or two men of influence in affairs will criticize me, as they have already, for daring to breathe before the Watch Tower comes out.  So I guess I’ll just stay away.  One can think better when he is not burdened with the affairs of this world.

 

I need consolation and I’m going to run over to Indianapolis for the blessed influence of the serene unruffled soul of Brother Hall.  I am going to go and pray with him to the Ruler of Heaven and Earth for direction.

 

I will send you some of the pictures so you may show the friends how quiet and how peaceful lie the mortal remains of the Pastor we all love.  God bless his memory.

 

You ought to be a real sister, dearie, or are you afraid to have a brother for a husband?

 

I suppose we will have all kinds of new prophets now and all kinds of speculations.  Some of them have the power of demonstrating things so clearly that there is simply no answer but to say, "It looks that way."  It reminds me of "Mutt and Jeff."  You remember how Mutt in his political oration declared that under Republican rule he saved exactly twice as much as when the Democrats were in power.  And when Jeff called for proof he gave it most convincingly.

 

It used to cost 10 cents to ride from his work to his home and as he always walked home he saved 10 cents a day, but since the Democrats got into power the fare has been reduced to five cents and now he can only save five cents by walking home.

 

But that is a better argument than some put up why nobody should read or write anything but Pastor Russell or his representatives at Brooklyn.  I’m not going to be rebellious, but I’m going to keep right on writing my poor little foolishness and do in my little corner what my hands find to do.

 

I must catch the mail-Bye-Bye, dearie.

 

Your old man,

 

WILL.

 

——

Banner items from November 14, 1916 Edition of the St. Paul Enterprise

 

——

 

The publisher’s wife knew last week of the opposition of a few at Brooklyn to the publication of any news about Pastor Russell’s death in the Enterprise previous to the appearance of the Memorial Watch Tower Dec. 1.

 

She knew in time to follow their dictation, if that course had seemed best.  But, being able to judge the best course only by her own impulses, she tried to put herself in the place of the subscribers to the Enterprise and imagine herself off in some distant, isolated place, receiving four issues of the Enterprise with not a word of news about this all-important event, compelled to wait in suspense a whole month without a word on a subject so close to the heart.  She saw at once that the suppression of news would not be a practise of the Golden Rule under such circumstances.  She reflected also that the Watch Tower is not a Newspaper, and that when it does appear its memorial will be a dignified tribute, not a recitation of detailed facts.  She saw no reason for any clash of interests between the Watch Tower and the Enterprise.  She also felt that if the news were suppressed a month, the friends thus deprived would in the end censure those really responsible, so that its publication would now be a kindness even to those who oppose it, saving them from just future wrath.  Hence she has printed the news as it came as a kindness to all.

 

——

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.

 

Springfield, Mo., Nov. 4, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

Having just received and read the welcome weekly visitor, the Enterprise, we testify of the unspeakable joy and zeal enkindled from week to week.  The issue therein referred to is of Oct. 31, 1916, containing the last oral sermon of our beloved brother and pastor, Charles T. Russell.  O! blessed Truth! "And their works do follow them." (Rev. 14:13.)  The Brother has gone on before us who are yet in the flesh; we shall miss his presence in the congregations here, but we do not mourn, knowing that our loss is his gain.  He is now clothed in that glorified immortal body and in that congregation of spirit beings, joined with our Head, even Jesus.  1st Thes. 4:17.

 

Likewise we who make our calling and election sure shall not sleep in death (1st Cor. 15:51), but shall be changed.  Nevertheless, ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.  (Psa. 82:7.)  Thank God for the sure word of Truth.  Their works do follow them.  Blessed thought!  How could I for just one of the thousands get along yet without the key to the Bible, Studies in the Scriptures?

 

Who besides the Supreme, can estimate the good these volumes have done and are yet doing?

 

Lessons from the life of Moses, Servant of God, by Brother B. H. Barton, is so instructive.  That lesson of a full consecration to God so fully exemplified by Mother of Moses in her act.  (Exodus 2:3.)  Beside the sermons we are in a testimonial world-wide, which is so heart-cheering.  Brethren and Sisters:  neglect not this assembling through this medium.  It is a feast to read these testimonies.  May God bless you and yours.

 

Your Brother,

 

D. H. MERRYMAN,

 

1104 Campbell St.

 

Richmond, Calif., Nov. 1, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

I have been contemplating writing you since receiving the Enterprise of Oct. 17, as it was partially destroyed in the mail, the sermon having been torn off; will return part of it then you can see its deplorable condition.  I would like another one of that date if convenient to you.  We thought to let it go and not to trouble you, but since we have received the sad news of our dearly beloved Pastor’s demise, we wish to voice our sincere sorrow through our great loss here below, but our gain in Heaven.

 

Our Father’s ambassador, that faithful servant, has been called from our midst.  Our hearts are sorely grieved and yet the prospects are so inspiring that we look up and rejoice, our beloved Pastor has finished his work here on earth and is now gone to his glorious reward, which he so well deserved as a faithful steward of Jehovah for over forty years, being faithful unto death.  O! how beautiful to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, stepping in the light of God.  How our eyes have been opened wider and our vision made clearer through this, another demonstration of our hope and soon deliverance of the Bridal class!  Should we not be very faithful and strive to enter in by the straight and narrow way?

 

All is turmoil and strife here below, "all that my soul has tried left but an aching void"; but Jesus has satisfied, He is the rock to which through faith we cling.

 

With much Christian love to you and to all the dear friends that have a voice through your paper in any way.

 

MRS. A. VAN SULL.

 

————————————————

 

St. Paul Enterprise

 

Tuesday, November 21, 1916

 

——

PULPIT AND PRESS GRACIOUS

 

Waynoka Men Are Good Samaritans

 

Kindness of Westrn People To Our Brotherin Distress Characteristic

 

PULPIT AND PRESS GRACIOUS

 

Warm Spot in the Hearts of The BrethrenWon By Kind Waynokans

 

Waynoka, Okla., Nov. 14, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

In your issue of Nov. 7 reference is made to Waynoka, Okla., the place where the body of Pastor Russell was embalmed, before proceeding on the journey East.

 

I am sure in your care to have the exact facts even to the minutest details of the last offices rendered this remarkable Leader, a brief statement of what actually took place from the time the Santa Fe train stopped at Waynoka to the moment the body was placed on the cars, seven hours later, will be of value.

 

The train arrived about 7:25 p.m. Oct. 31., about 25 minutes late.

 

Mr. Sturgeon, Pastor Russell’s private secretary, had been trying since about 2:30 that afternoon to have the body undisturbed until the train arrived in Kansas City, because he reasoned he could get expert care at that city.  But there are laws in the states through which the train was passing governing the transportation of any body on any through railroad lines, without a doctor’s or coroner’s attest as to the cause of death, and an undertaker’s certificate that the body has been prepared for such transportation.  These statutes the railroads are bound to respect under a heavy penalty for disobedience thereof.

 

Mr. Sturgeon sought by wire to get permission of the railroad officials to let the body remain on the train until Kansas City was reached, or at least, until the train reached some city where expert undertakers might care for it, but when he arrived at Waynoka, preemptory orders to remove the body and have it properly prepared for further transportation awaited his arrival.

 

The body was taken in an auto to J. P. Kepner’s Undertaking store, and as skillfully embalmed and prepared for its long journey, as if it had been in the luxuriosly appointed Parlors, and at the hands of reputed experts, in New York; Chicago; or Kansas City.

 

I expect, the undertakers who had charge of the body as it passed through these or other Cities would so acknowledge, if asked, less of course, such little touches as the long trip would call for.

 

There was not a moment when some citizens were not present waiting to render any service which might suggest reverence and respect.  Indeed, when it became known, there were citizens coming and going, all the evening, recognizing the well-known features, made so familiar by almost every newspaper of note throughout the United States.  The body of Pastor Russell would have been recognized if his faithful secretary had not been with him.

 

The writer of this letter proffered his services as soon as he could get to Mr. Sturgeon, offering him in the name of our fair little city, any courtesy he requested.  There was no help in such an emergency but was placed at his command and would have been cheerfully rendered, by any, or all, of the 1400 people of our town, had Mr. Sturgeon expressed a wish for it, even to the furnishing him with funds.  That is true of any western community, to any one in like distress.

 

No one insisted upon an inquest being held, not even Dr. E. P. Clapper the local coroner, who courteously signed the doctor’s certificate, on the word of Mr. Sturgeon, (a perfect stranger to him) charging no fee, as he might have done.  The writer proffered his home for the body and its embalming, as others would have gladly done, and I have since thought that no higher tribute could be paid Pastor Russell, than to have died on a journey and been prepared for his burial among those who were not personally acquainted with him.  (Always excepting his devoted secretary).

 

He did not die of heart disease as stated but of cystitis, according to Mr. Sturgeon.

 

The party from Alva, Okla., as stated in the letter in your issue of the 7th inst. arrived between 10:00 and 11:00 p. m. just as the body was about ready for the casket.  They did all that devoted students could do and were a comfort to the heroic secretary at the right time.  They took the casket to the Depot in their car, and when the 3:00 a.m. train pulled in on Wednesday morning four Waynoka citizens, strangers, lifted it abord the train.

 

I am sure you will be glad to get this brief detail of that long night, from one who stood by if haply he could render any courtesy.  This is not an out of the way place.  It is on the main line of the Santa Fe, has model Harvey Dining House, and is a division station; has 1400 population and is as intelligent and prgressive a community for its size as can be found anywhere.

 

In such a place and among such people Pastor Russell’s mortal remains were prepared for the Resurrection Morn.

 

Yours Heartily,

 

SAMUEL PEARSON.

 

Pastor of Congregational Church.

 

P. S.  Inclosed please find excerpts from our two local papers of that week.

 

————

 

When the east bound Santa Fe passenger pulled into Waynoka about 7:20 last Tuesday night, some twenty minutes behind schedule time, the news that the body of Pastor Russell was on the train caused a thrill of pathetic interest in the crowd which always gathers when this train passes through.

 

According to the statement of the Rev. Mr. Sturgeon, Pastor Russell’s private secretary, it appears they were returning from a lecture tour which included San Antonio, Galveston and Houston, Texas, and San Francisco, California {Publisher’s Note: This should be ‘Los Angeles, CA’}; and were trying to make Topeka, Kansas., for an engagement Wednesday night.

 

Pastor Russell was not well when they started from California so they took a pullman drawing room to insure quiet and privacy enroute.  Pastor Russell grew weaker as the journey progressed and Tuesday as the train reached about Pampa, Texas, he passed  peacefully to his reward.

 

Thinking it would be possible to have the body of his famous leader reach Kansas City without being disturbed, the Rev. Mr. Sturgeon sought by wire the consent of the proper officials.  But the laws of the states, and railroads are inflexible and know no respect of persons.

 

Official instructions were finally wired that on the arrival of the train in Waynoka, the body must be removed and prepared for shipment according to the well known State Board of Health Statutes.

 

Every possible courtesy was extended the Rev. Mr. Sturgeon in his pathetic plight, as is the rule with the Santa Fe to all whom death overtakes while travelling on their system.  The same is true of all railroads.

 

Our local undertaker J. B. Kepner, took charge of the body and embalmed it so that it continued its long trip to New York, and Dr. Clapper filled the required forms for legal transportation on its inter-state journey.  And with an auto load of friends and followers of the deceased who had swiftly arrived from Alva; the sacred remains were carried to the Depot and started for the far east, on the 2:55 passenger, Wednesday morning.

 

Every local courtesy possible was proffered the loyal Secretary by Citizens of Waynoka, and many residents recognized the splendid profile of Pastor Russell, known throughout the civilized world as a great religious teacher, lecturer, author and publisher, should cease at once to work and live, while rolling along the great prairies, away and apart from the multitudes who have come to love and follow him as their religious guide.

 

In this tribute Waynoka citizens will always feel they were permitted to share some respectful part.

 

-Waynoka Enterprise.

 

————

 

The prominence of the deceased made this little incident in our local life, of some consequence by having the name of Waynoka identified with the closing chapter in the earthly record of this remarkable man.

 

Every courtesy and hospitality was tendered the Rev. Mr. Sturgeon, not only by all our local railroad officials but by citizens also, in true western fashion.  Many calling in at the undertaker’s to manifest their respect for the dead and his lonely escort.

 

Some two years ago an illustrated course of lectures setting forth Pastor Russell’s peculiar views, under the auspices of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society was shown, and a number of converts resulted.  An auto load from Alva arrived here about 10:00 and paid their respects to the great author, Lecturer, Traveler, and teacher whose converts to his way of interpreting the Bible are numbered by the tens of thousands all over the civilized portions of the globe.

 

-Another Waynoka Paper.

 

————

 

{The First Sermon by Pastor Russell that was published in the St. Paul Enterprise (in 1912) was republished in the November 21, 1916 edition.  It has been republished in Harvest Gleanings, Volume 3, Pages 873 to 875.  Following the article, in the November 21, 1916 St. Paul Enterprise, the following article was printed:}

 

————

 

Pastor Russell’s sermon, Armageddon, republished this week, is the one that first appeared in the Enterprise.  The story had been told how in the political campaign of four years ago this sermon was taken as part of the campaign material sent us in plate form by the Democratic State Central cmmittee and how until the protest of a number of clergymen we did not realize that a sermon had been printed in the paper.

 

At that time an elder of the Twin Cities Class, Bro. Charles L. Dick, asked the editor if he wouldn’t make the sermons a feature of the Enterprise, and thinking to turn down the request as kindly as possible he said, I’ll tell you what I’ll do Dick, get me a hundred subscribers at a dollar apiece and I’ll run them a whole year.

 

Imagine then our surprise to have him take us at our word and come again with the hundred.  And so the work began.  Most of our subscriptions since then have been taken with the understanding that Pastor Russell’s sermons would be published each week.

 

No one could be thus closely associated with the truths from the pen of the great teacher without imbibing the spirit of them and gradually the editor’s eyes were opened and his ears were unstopped, and the result was that a complete consecration of all that he is and has-and that includes the Enterprise-was made to the Lord.

 

It is a comfort to be able to say "We have paid our vows" and that as long as he delivered them Pastor Russell’s sermons have been made the leading feature of this paper.  It is comforting also to have published answers to every charge against the character of our leader, not that he needed defending, but in order that those who desired it might have authentic contraditions of the falsehoods that bewildered many.  These we placed in a special edition which has had marvelous circulation and which may yet be had.  We call it the "Truth Edition."

 

The service of the Pastor Russell Lecure Bureau will now cease as indicated by their letter which follows, but we will continue to publish the great truths our Pastor taught, for though he be dead he yet speaketh and our consecrataion is until our own death.  We will therefore be faithful to the memory of dear Brother Russell.

 

————

 

New York City, Nov. 2, 1916.

 

Gentlemen:

 

Owing to the death of Pastor Russell the Brooklyn Tabernacle Bible Study service will be discontinued at once.  Kindly drop our name from your mailing list as we will have no further need for your paper.

 

Very truly yours,

 

PASTOR RUSSELL

 

LECTURE BUREAU.

 

————

Letter From the Chicago Elders to the Chicago Ecclesia. Read Before the Church on Sunday Afternoon, Nov. 5, 1916.

 

————

 

Dear Friends:

 

In view of the fact that our beloved Pastor has recently been called home, and also in view of the fact that this sudden death has left many of the Lord’s people in a condition of surprise, wonderment, and in some cases, seeming dismay, it was thought by the body of Elders that perhaps a message from them to the class would be helpful, at this time.

 

While we would all be inclined to regret the departure of our dear Brother Russell, were it not for the fact that we are full of confidence in his being now "forever with the Lord," and also that we were learning to say, whatever may come, -Thy will be done, -yet we do not look upon this as an occasion for great sorrow, discouragement, or in any sense of the word a catastrophe.  It is true his loving counsels through the Watch Tower and otherwise will be missed, but is not the one who has guided the Church all down through the age, even before that faithful servant was raised up, still able to guide his children and to keep them from falling if they put their trust in him.

 

Besides, while our Pastor is no longer with us in the flesh, is he not still with us in the wonderful volumes of Scripture Studies and other publications from his consecrated pen?  Yes, dear friends, even though the glorious star of the Laodicean Church has set, yet the wonderful light from that star still illuminates and will continue to illuminate the whole ecclesaistical heavens, enabling us, even amid the surrounding darkness, to clearly trace the wonderful chart of the ages, to see our part in the great plan of God, and to follow on, and by faithfulness to the things which we have learned and shall learn, to make our calling and election sure.

 

It is true we do not yet know just how the Lord’s work will be directed from this time until the harvesting is all done, but can we not leave this fully to him, and just go on, doing with our might what our hands find to do, leaving the results with the Chief Reaper?  Doubtless we now have very much the same feeling that the disciples had when our Lord was first taken away from them, but they did not allow this feeling of discouragement to remain.  Had they done so, the glorious Gospel message would not have been spread abroad, or at least, our Lord would have had to use some other means to accomplish this, and they would have lost the blessing.  So let us see that instead of allowing the departure of our dear brother to in any way hinder us, we take fresh courage and go on, taking advantage of the great opportunities that are opening up to us in the Pastoral work, and such smaller opportunities as we may have time to time, lest we also miss the great blessing.

 

Indeed, dear friends, some have testified that the passing of our beloved brother has drawn them nearer to the Lord than they were before, and has filled them with a holy zeal and determination to be faithful even unto death, and to try to follow him, even as we can all see he followed Jesus, helping to fill up, in a most faithful manner, that which is behind of the sufferings of Christ.  Let us also take fresh courage in spreading abroad the wonderful message of the coming Kingdom.  It may be that the passing of that faithful servant of the Gospel harvest is an indication that we are even nearer our glorious reward than we may know at present, but whether the time be short or long, let us be faithful.  Let us continue to lay hold upon and exercise increased faith in the exceeding great and precious promises, knowing that it is by these that we may attain the Divine nature.

 

The Elders also desire to be of even greater service and comfort to the rest of the flock than ever before, and hope the friends will feel free, at all times, to call upon them for any service they can render.  It is our desire that from now on, expecially in the absence of the one we have been in the habit of looking  to as our great human teacher, we may all co-operate more closely if possible, in our efforts to build one another up in the most holy faith, and to carry on the work which our gracious Lord shall favor us with the opportunity of doing.

 

May God’s blessing and guidance continue with each and every one of his consecrated saints, is the wish and the prayer of your Elders.

 

————

Faith.

 

————

 

In the Bible sense the word "faith" and the word "righteousness" are almost if not quite synonymous.

 

Mathematicians usually count correctly.  On that account, perhaps it would not be wrong to say, "God, the Great Mathematician of the Universe" counted Abraham’s faith as righteousness because faith in God, the Righteous Judge is righteousness.

 

Confidence begets confidence.  On this principle God reveals His secret plan to them who trust Him.  It is because Jesus and His saints have trusted God, God will entrust them to be the chief agents in bringing about the "restitution of all things."

 

As prophecy is history in prospect, so faith is possession in prospect.  Faith is the possession of things hoped for.

 

Faith is operative.  Said Jesus, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent."

 

Faith is co-operative.  Where two or three are assembled in the name and interests of Jesus, faith is a chariot in which Immanuel comes to bless.

 

To Abel, faith was an altar at which he worshipped God.

 

To Enoch, faith was a walk with God.  One beautiful morning as Enoch walked with God, God said to him, "Behold, I, even I, will bring about a restitution of all things."  Enoch believed the testimony and prophesied saying, "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints."

 

To Noah, faith was an ark of safety.  To Noah faith was a gentle dove that brought him messages of hope and love inscribed by God upon the olive leaf of peace.

 

To Abraham, faith was a telescope.  Looking far into the future he described Messiah’s day.

 

To the young man Jacob, faith was a marble stairway by which he could ascend to God and by which God could descend to him.  To the old man Jacob, faith was a staff.  By faith Jacob worshipped leaning upon the top of his staff.

 

To Moses, faith was a possession richer than all the treasures of Egypt.

 

To Pilgrim David, faith was a well-trimmed lamp lighting his footsteps through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

 

To the Wise Men of whom Matthew wrote, faith was a guiding star that led them to the One who leads to God.

 

To the Shepherds who came to the child Jesus, faith was a song of hopeof hope for all mankind, and as the words "To God the glory, and to men good will" pealed in their hearts they felt as hovering on angel wings in music-deluged balmy air ‘twixt sparkling stars of Heaven and fragrant flowers of earth.

 

To Stephen, faith was the vision beatific.  He witnessed the ineffable: he saw Jesus risen, ascended, exalted:  he beheld the glory of God.

 

To Paul, who fought and won faith was a shield which had the word "Victory" engraved upon its burnished front.

 

This is the victory which overcometh the world, the flesh and the adversary even our co-operative, our collective faith.

 

HUGH BLAIR,

 

479 Sincoe St., Winnipeg.

 

————

Tribute to Late Pastor Russell.

 

——

 

Since the days of the great apostles and evangelists, perhaps no greater teacher and prophet has arisen than Pastor Chas. T. Russell, of Brooklyn, N. Y., whose sudden death, October 31, during a journey by train from Los Angeles to New York, caused a shock of grief to his friends and co-workers, by whon he was greatly loved both in Europe and America.

 

His writings and sermons are widly known the world over, and his interpretation of the Scriptures have led many to believe in God’s definite plan for the reclamation of the race of mankind from death, sin and sorrow.  Forty years ago he predicted with startling accuracy the great national crisis, at present swaying the destinies of Europe, and also pointed out the peace and blessing sure to followthe healing time for broken hearts when God shall wipe away tears from every eye.

 

To those who knew and loved him best, he was a wise counselor and friend with ready and tender sympathy for those in sorrow or affliction.  His life and purity and steadfastness was an inspiration and shining example to all who knew and respected him with many evidences of that beautiful humility of spirit that is characteristic of the truly great ones.

 

We are assured that the great work he began will be accomplished and that he was careful to leave his earthly house in order, and instead of sorrowing, we should rather rejoice, knowing it is well with him, for he finished his course with joy and has entered into his rest.

 

MADELINE DE MARA,

 

534 Twentieth Ave., W.,

 

Calgary, Alta.

 

————————

In Defense Of Brother Russell.

 

————

 

Even in death our dear Pastor did not escape the calumnies heaped upon him by the pulpit and press throughout the land.  How he has suffered for righteousness sake!  These  slanders stumbled many who knew nothing of the facts and in order that the Truth might be known, The Enterprise from time to time published answers to these charges.  Later these were republished in a twelve-page edition on Feb. 12, 1915.  We call it the "Truth Edition."

 

This edition has been circulated all around the world and a very large number have been sold.  Sometimes when an attack was advertised to take place the Friends made liberal use of the issue among the leading men in the congregation and therefore bought them in quantities.

 

There remains still a number of this edition in defense of Brother Russell.  They are sold at five-cents a copy or twenty-five copies for a dollar with 38 cents extra for postage to Canadian and Foreign lands.

 

————

 

{Banner items for November 21, 1916}

 

————

 

The last thing said by Brother Russell in this world was "Thank You."

 

————

 

It pays to keep pace with Truth and stay on friendly terms with facts.-Indiana Daily Times.

 

————

 

The Watch Tower for December 1 will be in the form of a memorial for our dear Brother Russell.  It is to contain so much of interest to the friends that extra copies will be desired, and the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society wish to know in advance how many will be wanted so as to supply the demand.  They will be sold at 5¢ each.

 

————

 

Unfortunately or otherwise, the editor has no secrets that he doesn’t share with his Better Half.  We share our mutual woes; our mutual burdens bear, and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.  There are plenty of tears now.  We strive not to be dismayed by the fiery darts of the adversary nor let anyone take our crown, but leave all things to the Lord to use or overrule as seemeth him good.

 

————

 

In deference to the desire of some that the story of Pastor Russell’s death and burial appear first in the Watch Tower no detailed account will appear in these columns, although the editor went to New York and Pittsburgh to learn the facts.  The story that will be furnished in the Watch Tower will be so much better than anything we could give that it will at once be recognized as proper to deny ourselves and wait for the complete and authentic account to appear in the December 1, Tower.

 

————

 

Whenever there has been a faithful following of the Lord in a consecrated heart, several things have, sooner or later, inevitably followed:

 

Meekness and a quietness of spirit become in time the characteristics of the daily life:

 

A submissive acceptance of the will of God as it comes in the hourly events of each day, is manifested:

 

Pliability in the hands of God to do or to suffer all the good pleasure of His will;

 

Sweetness under provocation, calmness in the midst of turmoil and bustle, a yeilding to the wishes of others (where there is no conflicting principle involved), an insensibility to slights or affronts, absence of worry or anxiety, deliverance from care and fear-all these, and many other similar graces, are invariably found to be the natural outward development of that inward life which is hid with Christ in God.

 

-From the Watch Tower.

 

————

 

After the interment in Allegheny on Monday afternoon an extra day was spent by the editor with Bro. J. A. Bohnet at the Cemetary farm and with friends in Duquesne; Wednesday it was his privilege to meet with Chicago friends and to attend the weekly testimony meeting at the Temple; Friday he arrived in Indianapolis, the guest of Bro. F. A. Hall, and that same evening attended a prayer meeting at the home of Brother and Sister Darby; Saturday it was his good fortune to be received at the delightful home of the Moore’s, and Sunday be entertained by Brother and Sister Wise.  He was also present at the Sunday morning meeting of the Indianapolis class, visited sick friends in the afternoon, attended an early evening service at the county Poor Farm and later another meeting at the Moore home, where a large number of friends were met.  Monday the editor arrived in Milwaukee and enjoyed the fellowship of friends during the afternoon and in the evening recited the story told by Brother Sturgeon of the passing of Pastor Russell, arriving at home on Tuesday after two weeks of blessed experience since starting for New York to attend the Memorial rites of our dear dead leader.

 

————————

The Morning Resolve.

 

————

 

What shall I render unto Thee

 

For all Thy goodness, dearest Lord?

 

The cup of Thy salvation free,

 

Which in Thy mercy Thou hast poured.

 

I’ll take, and call upon Thy name

 

For grace to help in trial’s hour;

 

My vows I’ll pay, dear Lord, to Thee,

 

Relying on Thy promised power.

 

Remembering the call divine,

 

"Gather my saints this day to me"-

 

Thy saints who gladly conenant

 

To sacrifice continually-

 

I will with Thine assistance, Lord

 

The flesh and its desires keep down,

 

That with my Savior I may reign,

 

And wear with Him a royal crown.

 

Forward all the world, since ‘tis Thy will

 

That I should meek and lowly be,

 

I’ll strive in simple, honest ways

 

To deal in all sincerity,

 

I will not seek myself to please

 

Or e’er for earthly honors crave;

 

But with my lips Thy name I’ll bless,

 

And so proclaim Thy power to save.

 

With all my heart, dear Lord, I’ll seek

 

My faithfulness to Thee to prove;

 

In loyalty Thy Truth I’ll speak,

 

In loyalty the brethren love.

 

I’ll learn to serve in matters small;

 

‘Tis often so the victory’s won;

 

For faithfulness in little things

 

Will bring the Master’s sweet "Well done."

 

In firm, confiding faith I’ll trust

 

To Thee my life, my hope, my all;

 

For well I know that Thou will let

 

No evil to Thy child befall.

 

I would be pure in heart, dear Lord,

 

All anxious thought I would repel;

 

With courage and contentment sweet,

 

Tho’ clouds be dark, all shall be well.

 

Why should I murmur or repine

 

At anything Thou dost permit,

 

Since all Thy providence is kind?

 

Thou sendest all in love to fit

 

Thy child for heavenly honors great;

 

So in Thy hand my own I’ll lay

 

And child-like, follow where thou wilt,

 

Since Faith can trust Thee come what may.

 

AGNES NOURSE.

 

————————

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.

 

Los Angeles, Cal., Nov. 2, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

I thought I would write something in regard to our dear Pastor’s last visit with us, on Sunday, Oct. 29, and I take it for granted that many of the Friends would be very much interested in the events that transpired during the last few hours of his life here.

 

Pastor Russell arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday morning, and he was met at the depot by Bro. Sherman and Bro. Mitchell.  The brethren were at once struck with the changed appearance in our dear Pastor’s face and manner.  He was very sick and weak and as he walked he had to lean on the arm of Bro. Sturgeon.  Bro. Mitchell remarked:  "I am very sorry to see that you are so sick," and with a kind smile and with an effort to speak, the Pastor said:  "Yes, brother, but it is a part of the experiences we must undergo."

 

He was taken to the hotel and was put to bed, and Bro. Lee was with him for some time.  While Bro. Lee sat by the bedside, in one of his waking moments, the Pastor roused himself and said:  "I am sorry I cannot entertain you better, brother."

 

Bro. Lee replied:  "I did not come to be entertained, but to help you in any way I can."  The Pastor said:  "When I want to be of help to the friends, I have to be of such a bother to them."  He was so solicitous for the comfort and welfare of others and seemed to think nothing of himself and of the pain he suffered.

 

The dear Pastor had not eaten anything for four days, and when Bro. Mitchell told his wife about it she said she had some fine chicken noodle soup she believed the Pastor could eat, and so, Bro. Mitchell called upon the ‘phone and Bro. Lee answered it.  When the Pastor was asked if he felt that he could eat some of the soup, he said:  "Yes, I would like nothing better."  And so they hurried to bring him some.  For everything that was done for him he was always so thankful.

 

I do not understand how it was possible for the Pastor to get out of bed and come to our meeting on Sunday, late in the afternoon, but he did.  We were holding a fifth Sunday Convention and many of the Friends from the surrounding towns were at the Convention, and I suppose the Pastor thought it was necessary for him to get out of bed and come to the meeting.  We were all very desirous of seeing our beloved Pastor, but no one thought of him being so sick.  When he came out on the platform to speak we all greeted him with the song, "Blest be the tie that binds," and we gave him the Chautauqua salute.  Bowing and smiling, the Pastor started to speak in his usual manner, standing, but he quickly had to call for a chair, and so he addressed us sitting in a chair, and some of the brethren got some cushions to put in the chair.  As he sat there everyone could see the death pallor on his face, and while he was speaking his head would drop forward and he would close his eyes as though he was about to pass out of the body, then.  It was only by great effort he could rouse himself, and as several questions were put to him upon a subject of importance to the Los Angeles Ecclesia, he spoke, possibly, thirty or forty minutes.  He had to stop twice during his speaking.  His advice he gave us was so loving and helpful, that I am sure none of the friends who were present will forget the last loving words from our beloved brother who now has gone to his reward.

 

On Wednesday evening we had a memorial meeting and all of the elders spoke and gave their testimony in regard to the love they bore for our beloved Pastor.

 

Bro. Sexton led the meeting, and we sang the songs that Bro. Sexton said were favorites of the Pastor.  We sang Numbers 273, 208, 305, and also No. 1, which was the song the Pastor asked us to sing as he bade us goodbye on Sunday.

 

Truly, the Los Angeles Ecclesia have been highly favored in having the last words of our dear Pastor.  We all feel now more than ever the necessity for being knit together in perfect love and sympathy for each other and for all of God’s dear children scattered throughout the earth.  We all feel the need to lay down our lives for the brethren as our dear Pastor and Brother did for us.

 

Dear Friends, let us be more zealous and earnest to make our calling and election sure, for the time is very short and if we are faithful to the end we will soon be with the Lord and all of the saints who have gone on before.

 

Pastor Russell’s work is finished, but each one has a work to do, and possibly the Truth will spread more rapidly now than if our Pastor had lived longer.  The Lord knows what is best for us.  Let us be more watchful for His leadings.

 

I ask an interest in the prayers of the dear saints, everywhere.

 

Your brother in Christ,

 

EDW. BURNHAM,

 

256 S. Bunkerhill Ave.

 

————

 

Winterset, Iowa, Nov. 9, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

I am very sorry indeed to hear of Pastor Russell passing beyond the veil.  But while the Ecclesia will greatly miss his fellowship, and instruction, and leading, yet he has gained his reward and entered into that rest that remaineth to the people of God.  But in God’s wisdom it may be needed for the final testing of the saints.-Phil. 2:20, 21.

 

He seems to have left a timely warning in the last Watch Tower, Nov. 1, pages 328, 329, that hinderers, subverting the ways of truth, speaking against the Watch Tower, drawing away some, have already appeared.  As like Paul did before his departure, saying that grievous wolves would enter the flock causing strife and divisions.-Acts 20, 29, 30.

 

I pray that all may closely follow Pastor Russell’s teaching as he did follow Christ.-1 Pet. 2:21.

 

I hope he has made provision for an efficient successor and leader, that through Christ shall be sedate, logical, full of faith, talented and established, that the flock may be kept from straying.

 

Your Sister in Christ,

 

MATILDA POWELL.

 

————

 

Johnstown, Pa., Nov. 13, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

I was down in Pittsburgh on the 6th and had the privilege of seeing the remains of our dear Pastor Russell, and I heard some of the wonderful experiences of Brother Sturgeon with Brother Russell shortly before he passed beyond the veil.

 

It was indeed a day never to be forgotten, because I derived great blessings from what I heard and saw and from the examples of our beloved Pastor.  Also another joyful surprise was mine when I beheld you pass by the casket, look at Brother Russell’s fleshly remains and pass out, then I wished that I might get down from the balcony and hunt you up, but when the meeting was over I hurried down and looked all around, but to my sorrow you could not be found, then it occurred to me that I might have seen your double.

 

Brother John held a meeting in Akron, Ohio last week for the Syrians and there were thirty-five present.  Before he left he said there were six interested and that they made up their minds to meet a few times a week to study the Divine plan as we are doing in Johnstown.

 

In Youngstown, O., he met many Syrians, but he only sold ten volumes and ten Hell booklets, all the others told him to go to their priest for permission, because the priest had warned them not to buy any non-catholic books, so Brother John went to the priest and received a cold answer.

 

We are having some public meetings in our vicinity and they are well attended.  These are held for the American public.  Please let me know if that was you that I saw in Pittsburgh to ease my mind.

 

I remain, Yours Sincerely,

 

GEO. E. KAFOORY.

 

Editor’s noteThere is nothing the matter with the brother’s eyesight.

 

————

 

Pauls Valley, Okla., Nov. 12, ‘16.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

Greetings to you and all of like precious faith.  It is indeed with the cup of mixture that Sister Zachary and I read of the death of our dearly beloved Pastor and servant.  It was a lonely hour, yet we were comforted by the words of our Master, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.

 

We wish to be added to the List in the resolution with the St. Paul Class.

 

Your brother and sister,

 

W. H. AND M. C. ZACHARY,

 

519 S. Pecan St.

 

Born July 10, ‘77 and Nov. 11, ‘84.  Came in August, 1911.

 

————

 

Dayton, Ohio., Nov. 14, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

The God of all Grace; The giver of every good and perfect gift; Him in whom we live and move and have our being, has, in His infimate wisdom, taken our beloved Pastor beyond The Second Veil-into the Most Holy.

 

Together with you, we are rejoicing in the assurance that our Pastor is now in the company of our Dear Lord Jesus.

 

At the same time we are sharing with you a keen sensitiveness of our great loss.

 

But our Father is a kind, merciful parent and he has left us many, many privileges and blessings; among them is our Fifth Sunday Conventions which are like an Oasis in this wilderness experience.

 

Our next Fifth Sunday Convention comes on December 31st.  At Dayton we are arranging for a program including a Watch Meeting-i.e. watch the old year out and the New Year in.

 

Beloved would it not be pleasing in the sight of our Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus and all of the Holy Angels, if they could see the conventions in this section of the country all reading little messages of love from each other, say from 11:30 p.m. to 11:50 p.m.  Then five minutes of prayer for help to make the coming year better than the past.  Then promptly at 12 o’clock, Standard Time, all stand and sing the Vow Song together, thus making our very first act of the New Year a renewal of our consecration vows.

 

What do you think of it?  Please write me your thoughts on the matter along with any helpful suggestions to make our Conventions a Spiritual blessing to those in attendance.

 

Can you have an early reply?

 

Yours in the tie that binds,

 

P. D. POTTLE.

 

Chairman, Dayton Fifth Sunday Convention.

 

————

 

Sabinal, Tex., Nov. 12, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

I want to thank all the dear Friends who responded to my request concerning How Hiram and Manda found the Truth.

 

We were shocked to receive the news of Brother Russell’s death; though we were not so much surprised, as I was in San Antonio and heard his lecture when he had to leave the stage three times during his discourse.  He surely laid down his life for the brethren.

 

Your sister by His Grace,

 

MRS. HIRAM GRAHAM.

 

————

 

Dallas, Texas., Nov. 6, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

By reason of age, eighty-eight Dec. 2 next, I am unable to write, so I am asking Sister Jamison to write this for me.

 

I wanted to express to the dear Enterprise family something of what I feel concerning our dear Pastor’s death.

 

At first my feeling was one of joy that his work was done, and he had entered into his rest.

 

My next thought was of the Lord’s people; how they would miss his loving Pastoral care and counsel, and how much the work in general seemed to need his wisdom and his guiding mind; so I asked, "What of them?"

 

But when I called to mind God’s dealings with His typical people Israel, I remembered that when He saw good to take Moses from them, He raised up Joshua, to whom He said:  "As I was with Moses, so will I be with thee."  Thus it was given to Joshua to carry out that which Jehovah had spoken through Moses.  So now I am looking confidently to the Lord to raise up some faithful one to lead His people in the carrying on of this work to its consummation.

 

My whole heart is in this Harvest work, and daily I rejoice in the blessed Harvest truth the Lord has so graciously given us through "That faithful Servant."

 

Christian love and greetings to all the dear ones everywhere.

 

If anyone has time to write, a card from any of the Lord’s people anywhere would be greatly appreciated, particularly upon my birth date, Dec. 2.  Some who do not remember me personally will recognize me as Sister E. G. Rust’s mother.  It was through her and Brother Ruse that I became interested in this precious truth.

 

Praying the Lord’s blessing upon you, dear Editor, I am

 

SISTER (MRS.) M. E. PRATT,

 

2517 Harrison St.

 

————

 

Toledo, O., Nov. 6, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

We take this opportunity to tell you how much we appreciate the Enterprise with its helpful sermons and testimonies.  We are passing it on to others, that they may also be blessed.

 

The passing beyond of our dearly beloved Brother C. T. Russell is surely having a widespread influence over the brethren in the Truth.  Personally, I can say that the Truth in depth and beauty comes to me with greater force and magnitude than ever before, and I realize as never before the necessity of putting on the "whole armor of God," and keeping it on.

 

Sunday, Nov. 5, 1916, instead of the regular service in our Hall, 413 Summit St., we held a meeting in the nature of a testimony meeting in memory of our dear departed Brother, which was very edifying and helpful to all there.

 

The brethren spoke of how Brother Russell’s great zeal and love for the master and His cause as well as the truths he preached had influenced their hearts and lives as nothing else had ever done, and that their determination was greater than ever to fight the "good fight of faith," heeding our Brother’s parting admonition to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ makes free, and to speak forth the message of the Kingdom with zeal and courage to the end.  We are sure that all the dear brethren feel sorrowful to have to part with one we all loved so well; one who was untiring in his labor of love for us, laying down his life daily for the brethren.

 

"A heart at peace with God and instructed through His Word is prepared for whatever may come of joy or sorrow."-  Watch Tower, November, 1916.

 

We are therefore comforted of God by the Word of Truth, and if faithful to the glorious message which we have received we shall also hear the "Well done," and enter into the joys of our Lord.

 

Brother Hatt joins me in sincere love and greetings to the dear ones in Christ Jesus and assure you of our prayers on your behalf and ask an interest in yours.

 

By His grace,

 

MRS. C. W. HATT.

 

————

 

Elsmere, Del., Nov. 14, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

How I can look back eighteen years when our dear Brother Russell travelled around among us, in what a humble way he came and went; how we have met him alone and gone with him and at our little conventions when we would have probably a hundred or more, how he always wanted to come in just as the others and go about with the "little flock," (and it was then a "little flock"); how he was always trying to serve them in temporal as well as spiritual things; always trying to keep in the background, unobserved, and now while he is not present physically any more; as he humbled himself so we believe our dear Master has exalted him.

 

Yours in the one hope,

 

J. H. H. MESSINGER.

 

————

 

Houston, Tex., Nov. 4, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

As the Enterprise is a very widely circulated paper and one which all the dear friends enjoy reading, we thought perhaps this poem, dedicated to our dearly beloved Pastor, who has gone beyond the veil, would be of interest to all who love and honor his name.

 

This little poen was composed by our dear Bro. Walter Bundy while on the train coming from Galveston to Houston.  Brother and Sister W. C. Roberts, having seen what he had written, thought it so beautiful and appropriate that they had it printed, and Brother Bundy presented each one of our class with one at the close of his talk Wednesday night, in which he reviewed the life and labor of love of our dear Pastor.

 

While we miss our dear Brother Russell, yet we rejoice with him that he has been faithful and is now with the Lord.  Praying God’s blessings upon you and the Enterprise, I am,

 

Your humble servant,

 

MRS. RALPH H. CALHOUN.

 

(Formerly known as Miss Edna Vaughan.)

 

————

Our Pastor Russell.

 

——

 

God calls thee home, -

 

The saint whose loving service

 

Has brought the church such joy and peace and love;

 

God calls thee home,

 

Our Pastor-true and faithful-

 

The Master welcomes thee to Heaven above.

 

Beloved one,

 

Our hearts are filled with sorrow.

 

We would not call thee back, we know thou’rt blest.

 

But lonely hearts

 

Will miss thy loving service,

 

And yet rejoice that thou hast gained thy rest.

 

Dear, truest saint,

 

Thy mem’ry lingers ever,

 

We love thee, Pastor, living with us still,

 

At Home with Christ,

 

Yet by thy words of comfort

 

Encouraging us all to do God’s will.

 

O can we meet thee?

 

Shall we see thee ever?

 

We long to be with Christ our Lord and thee!

 

Prepare us, Lord for that grand last convention,

 

That Heavenly feast-for all eternity.

 

Beloved friends,

 

Our Pastor’s toil is ended;

 

Our eyes on earth shall see his face no more;

 

But oh the joy,

 

Our blessed Master greets him;

 

He’s with the Lord on that blest Heavenly shore.

 

The days seem long;

 

Our hearts seem sad and weary;

 

‘Tis hard to wait, again to see his face.

 

We’ll pray and trust

 

And strive to run with patience

 

Until we reach the end of this, our race.

 

Dear Pastor ours,

 

We can never forget thee.

 

‘Twas thy sweet words that showed us God’s great love.

 

We pray our Lord

 

To grant us grace and patience

 

To meet with Him and thee and all above!

 

-Walter H. Bundy.

 

———- More Letters

 

South Bend, Ind., Nov. 3, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

Dear Brother in Christ:-I am enclosing my little one-fifty, for which please renew my subscription to the Enterprise.  I notice that my subscription expires today.  I appreciate your paper very much.  I admire your stand in not being a religious teacher, but in being the editor of a religious newspaper.  If more of the friends had that attitude how good it would be.

 

I note by the papers that our beloved Pastor has left us.  His work here is finished.  How much he must have enjoyed the meeting of our Lord, the Heavenly Father and especially the Apostle Paul, whose great character he explained so fully in the Towers.  He undoubtedly had such a character or he would not have been able to see the Apostle’s character.  Last evening at the prayer meeting there were wet eyes.

 

Although his loss will be a great one to us, we feel that the Lord is able to take care of his people.  We feel that Brother Russell has left enough food behind him to feed us unto the end, and if we need any more, the Lord will provide it.  In one way we feel that we have not lost anything and that he has gained immensely.

 

May the Lord bless you in your service of love.

 

Your brother in Christ,

 

C. R. RHINEHART.

 

————

 

Alva, Okla., Nov. 13, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

I am inclosing a letter which may prove interesting to your readers.  It is from the Congregational minister at Waynoka, Okla., whom we found on our arrival at that city, the memorable night of Oct. 31, rendering most loving service to our dear Bro. Sturgeon in the care of the earthly remains of our beloved Brother Russell, and thereafter until the departure.  I shall never cease praising God for the privilege of being present at that time.

 

Feeling grateful, I took the liberty to write and thank him for his courtesies, telling him that it would afford me great pleasure to present him a copy of Volume I. of our beloved Pastor’s Scripture Studies as a token of our appreciation.  His letter explains the rest.

 

In the service of the King of Kings.

 

SISTER H. L. NOAH.

 

————

 

Waynoka, Okla., Nov. 10, 1916.

 

Dear Mrs. Noah:-Your kind note of the third instant has waited an answer, too long.  I must apologize for the delay.  The pressure of many duties has been the cause.

 

Yes, it seemed to me the least thing to do, to proffer any courtesy possible to the Rev. Mr. Sturgeon, in his most delicate situation, and I am sure there was nothing he might have needed which would not have been at his disposal had he but expressed a wish for it. I even offered him my home to care for the sacred remains of Pastor Russell, but he seemed to think it best to let things alone, as the way seemed most clear, step by step.

 

Any of our good citizens would have done likewise.  Thank you for your offer of a copy of Vol. I.  I should like to own it, and read it with the added interest of some personal touch with the famous author.

 

I understand there are a few faithful followers near Waynoka, but have not yet met them.  Had we known at the time, I should have ‘phoned them to come in that sad night to add to the escort and pay homage to the really great leader.

 

Have you had word from New York as to the funeral?  I should like to know what disposition was made of the funeral, where it was held, and somewhat of the services.

 

Thanking you again for your cordial note, believe me; -

 

Yours Heartily,

 

SAMUEL PEARSON

 

————

 

Columbia, Mo., Nov. 12, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

I take the liberty of writing to you because you are one of the Lord’s little ones and they are all very dear to me.  I love your paper and want to thank the dear brother that sent in my subscrip[tion.  It is a blessing to me, and may he be equally blessed.

 

I love to read the testimonies of the dear friends and think I have some of their names in my manna whom I met at the Clinton, Iowa Convention in 1914.

 

Our hearts are sad because our beloved Pastor has passed beyond the veil and we will miss his loving admonitions, but firmly believe he is better qualified to aid us now and we rejoice that his sufferings are over.

 

May the dear Lord strengthen the bonds of Christian love and may we be more determined to meet him in the Kingdom.

 

Your Sister by His grace,

 

MRS. IDA BOWMAN.

 

————

 

St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 13, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

How we rejoiced in the Lord to realize when our heavenly Father called our dear beloved Pastor to his reward that he left behind the blessed Bible and the key to it, given to us by the Lord through our dear Pastor.  How we appreciate those volumes and every line he has ever written; they are now a thousand times more precious to us than ever before.

 

We did not realize our loss for several days, owing to the fact that we were so overjoyed with the thought, how good the dear Lord had been to us, to spare our dear Pastor until we had received a knowledge of the "Truth."  We continually offered praises to God for the provision He has made for us.  While our Pastor’s pen has ceased to write, he still speaketh; while he has left our midst in the flesh, he is still with us in the spirit.

 

We seemed to realize the full impact of our loss when we received the Enterprise, which has been such a comforting visitor.  We turned to the front page, there was his sermon, but the little picture at the head was missing; he himself had not delivered it, it had fallen to the lot of another.  Realizing how we will miss that little picture together with its weekly message, my heart was almost crushed, but the comforting thought came to me, "Your Father knoweth what things you have need of."  (Math. 6:8.)  We rejoiced that our Pastor’s services were no longer needed in the flesh, had they been, he would have been spared us.  How we all should rejoice to know he is now with the Lord, resting from his labors, and enjoying the fruits thereof.

 

With Christian love, and wishing the continued success of the Enterprise we remain

 

Yours in the Master’s name,

 

SISTER WILSON,

 

3811 Wyoming St.

 

————

 

Clinton, Okla., Nov. 6, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

Greetings in the name of our dear Redeemer.

 

We could hardly get along without the Enterprise, for the best part of it was our beloved Pastor’s sermons, and we are wondering what we shall do without them, now that he has passed beyond the veil and is in the presence of our dear Lord and Savior.

 

Let our prayers ascend without ceasing for each other, asking for strength and grace that we may be able to stand in the dark hour of temptation.

 

Let us all do as our dear Pastor bid us do in his last Watch Tower, "Put on the whole armor of God,"  May his words ring in our ears and burn in our hearts as never before, "The time, the time is short."

 

I think most of the dear friends realize this.  My mother, wife and myself met with the Custer City class Sunday, Nov. 5.  Brother Smith of Cordell, Okla., gave us a splendid talk on Consecration and Immersion, with a result that eight symbolized their consecration.  With loving remembrance at the throne of heavenly grace.

 

Yours in Truth,

 

BRO. AND SR. C. T. BARKER.

 

————

 

Chicago, Ill., Nov. 3, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

If this note reaches you in time, will you please insert an item in the Enterprise, requesting all the dear brothers and sisters who may anticipate ordering Pastor Russell’s picture from us, to please be careful that they write their name and address very clearly.  We write this because we have received orders without any address except as the given name appears on a postoffice order from a certain large town with no street mentioned.

 

We are still receiving a few orders daily, -and I am slowly recovering from a severe attack of "la grippe."

 

We expect to have plenty of pictures tomorrow, and begin to fill back orders, and hope to be very prompt in the future.

 

May our dear Heavenly Father continue to bless you, and all our dear brothers and sisters everywhere, is the sincere wish of your beneficiary,

 

In His name,

 

W. P. ROBERTS, M. D.

 

4103 Indiana Ave.

 

————

 

Milo, Ark., Nov. 9, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

I have been a reader of the Enterprise for over two years and I like it fine, as there are so many good letters from the dear Friends and I could not keep still any longer.

 

We used to live at Neelyville, Mo., and had several Pilgrim Brothers up there, but we have been here almost a year and have not had one here yet.

 

We are lonesome since we heard the news of our dear Pastor’s death, and will miss him.  Though we never saw him, we loved him much.  We read his sermons and noted his faithful watch over the Household of Faith.

 

We realize that he was on the Tower and he could see the light first and he was so faithful to us to give us meat in due time.

 

We realize his work has been great.  But it is still greater now, for the Lord has said to him, "Come up higher."

 

Let us run with patience that we may be with all the loved ones where we meet to part no more.

 

With Christian love,

 

GEO. W. SMITH.

 

————————

PASTOR RUSSELL’S PICTURES.

 

————

 

No more orders can be received for the four pictures of Pastor Russell which we have been selling because the negatives for the set of four were accidentally broken.  We are fortunate, however, in having a very fine picture in one of his recent poses in a position and expression about the way he appeared before beginning a public address.  The size 14 x 17, makes it a good size to frame and many throughout the country will be glad to have one of them.

 

They sell for 75¢ each.  Orders should be sent to

 

ST. PAUL ENTERPRISE,

 

Globe Building                   St. Paul, Minn.

 

———————————-

Oh, To Fold up This Tent!

 

For we know that if the tent of our earthly dwelling be taken down,

 

we have a building from God, a house not made by hands,

 

eternal in the heavens.Diaglott 2 Cor. 5:1.

 

————

 

Oh, to fold up this tent!

 

This shrinking flesh that holds me here to earth

 

And makes the best in me lie dormant

 

When I would give and give.

 

That binds with bands unbreakable the better impulses,

 

The greater loves

 

The things I long to do

 

For which I reach and reach, yet never grasp

 

Because of fetters.

 

This earthly tent

 

So mean and smalland yet it holds great treasures

 

Hidden from the eyes of men;

 

Desires, and not for self

 

And longings that would embrace all

 

And lovenot narrowed down by selfish interests,

 

Or to meager space,

 

But reaching far beyond yon distant sky line.

 

And yet I cannot do the things I would

 

Held as it were immovable

 

By flesh so weak and mean

 

That it would seek to gratify but self.

 

The house eternal in the heavens

 

Not narrowed down by hands,

 

But reaching out through all the bounds of universe!

 

‘Tis then that I can give of self

 

Unhampered and unhindered

 

‘Tis then that I can heal the broken hearts,

 

And cover with the Balm of Gilead

 

Give Living Bread unto the hungry ones,

 

And lead the thirsty to the cooling draughts

 

Of life’s deep fountain.

 

The Rose of Sharon with its perfume sweet

 

I then can make to bloom in every dingy corner,

 

And shed its fragrance where today

 

The air is reeking with offense.

 

Then I can set within the sky

 

Of those distressed and weeping souls

 

The Star of Hope that leads to life indeed,

 

And pierce with shafts of light

 

The hearts bathed in despair,

 

And cause the Sun of Righteousness

 

To cast its brilliance on a dingy earth,

 

And make it but and blosson as the rose.

 

Nov. 7, 1916

 

Nellie P. Negrus.

 

——————————-

 

St. Paul Enterprise

 

November 28, 1916

 

——

Br. A. N. Pierson

 

Who Had Charge of The Floral Arrangements at The Memorial and at The Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

 

No doubt but friends everywhere will be glad to know what sort of a man our beloved Brother A. N. Pierson is and therefore his picutre is now reproduced for that purpose.  Brother Pierson lives in Cromwell, Conn. where his greenhouses and flower gardens are very extensive.  He had charge of the floral decorations at Brother Russell’s memorials at the Brooklyn Bethel, the New York Temple, the Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh and at the cemetery.  He also superintended the interrment and the cementing of the grave.

 

It was the editor’s good fortune to gain a slight acquaintance with Brother Pierson at the home of Brother Bohnet on the evening of Nov. 6,  He is a mild and unassuming man but one of great power and zeal in the cause we all love.

 

Mc. Rae, Ga., Nov. 20, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

I am enclosing herewith a copy of "The Jeffersonian," which contains an abstract from The Christian Index, Atlanta, Ga., saying some very unkind things about Pastor Russell, with comments by Editor Thomas E. Watson.

 

If you think the article would make good and suitable reading, would be glad to have you reproduce it in the Enterprise.

 

While not consecrated, I appreciate Pastor Russell’s version of Christianity and the splendid manner in which the Enterprise is holding the banner aloft.

 

Thanking you, I am yours for the Right;

 

A. W. ANDERS.

 

——

 

Athens, Ga., Nov. 19, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

Enclosed please find clipping of The Christian Index, official of the Georgia Baptist, published in Atlanta, Ga., and answer by Hon. Thomas E. Watson, Wm. J. Bryan’s running mate in 1896, also presidential candidate of the Populist party in a subsequent campaign.

 

Must thank Sister Abbott with all my heart for the publication of your private letters, for it has opened the eyes of us all.

 

With prayers and Christian love for the continued stand of you and your valuable paper which we all love next to the Watch Tower.  We remain,

 

Yours by His grace,

 

  BRO. AND SR. F. COLEMAN,

 

474 Ruth Ave.

 

——

Striking Defense Given Our Pastor

 

Libelous Assault on Dead Leader in Baptist Paper Draws Sharp Reproof by

 

TOM WATSON IN JEFFERSONIAN

 

Noted Georgia Politician and Editor Humbles Churchman with Satirical Shafts

 

——

 

In the Christian Index, the organ of the Baptists of Georgia, the following editorial notice appeared last week:

 

Charles Taze Russell, who called himself "Pastor Russell," died on a railroad train in Texas, October 31, and the Christian world does not mourn.  Pastor Russell began life by selling shirts in Pennsylvania.  He next became a lecturer on religious topics, and was soon known in Pittsburgh as "the crank preacher."  He was never connected with any organized church and was never an ordained minister.  On account of illegal relations with other women, he was divorced from his first wife soon after their marriage.  One of his numerous tricks was his widely advertised "miracle wheat," which he sold at a dollar a pound.  His receipts from this source aggregated more than two thousand dollars a year in 1911, and the donations to the Publication Society ran his profits up to $150,000 a year.  In a single decade he received two million dollars from his followers, who believed that his prophecies were true, that the world would come to an end in October, 1914.  He was the head of the International Bible Students’ Association, of London, and the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.  The books and tracts of his teachings have had a very wide circulation, and perhaps no man in America has upset the faith of so many devout Christians as did Mr. Russell.  With his decease let it be hoped that his works will die with him, and that the credulous public will be no longer deceived by his fallacious teachings.

 

The Italic type which emphasize certain words in the above, are mine; they serve to direct your attention to those charitable expressions which you may generally look for, when your heterodoxy is the subject of my orthodox comments, my doxy being always the right thing, of course.

 

When I saw in the papers that Pastor Russell had died painlessly on the cars, while on his way from one field of work to another, my first thought was that the old man had been blessed with a beautiful death.

 

No languishing upon a weary bed of pain; no wasting away of mind and body; no burdensome service imposed upon others; none of the ghastly physical debilities which render the lengthly sickness of the failing mortal so peculiarly dreadful!

 

To die like a soldier, is a glorious end; to fall at the post of civil duty, when in full possession of mental vigor and bodily independence, is the best way to leave the stage.

 

The Index says that "the Christian world does not mourn."

 

Are there no Christians among the Russellites?  I would not feel justified in saying that.  There was a time when Baptists were not considered Christians; and they were slaughtered by other professors of Christ for not professing in the same manner that the slaughterers did.

 

When Arnold of Brescia was burnt for being a Baptist in principle, the papal court at Rome could have published a statement to the effect that "the Christian world does not mourn."

 

When the original Calvinists died in Paris, on St. Bartholomew’s day, the papal court not only did not mourn, but went in splendid procession to Roman Churches to sing Te Deums, in praise and thanks, for the bloody massacre of the Russellites of that day.

 

Faith, Hope, Charity, "and the greatest of these is Charity," said Jesus Christ, not thinking of alms, only, but of that nobler charity which thinketh no evil, and which credits your neighbor with the same honesty of opinion that you want for yourself.

 

"Pastor Russell began life selling shirts."  Well, what of it?  We all have to wear shirts, and, if somebody didn’t sell ‘em, how would we get ‘em?  We can’t all steal ‘em.

 

"He next became a lecturer."

 

Of course that was quite a change, but still not a disgrace.  Besides you needn’t go to hear a lecture, unless you want to; whereas, you must meander to church, once occasionally, and listen to a sermon, else your neighbors will look down on you.

 

"He *** was soon known in Pittsburgh as ‘the crank preacher.’"

 

That was mighty bad, of course, but not worse than what they called John Wesley and George Whitfield.  The regular clergy never did fling flowers at the dissenters.  In the eyes of the regulars, the dissenter is always a disturber of the peace, an incediary, a stirrer-up of strife, a ranter, an unruly member, a Philistine!

 

Peter, Paul, Barnabus, James and the other pioneers of Christianity, were crank preachers, gospel tramps, and trouble-breeders, in the estimation of the regular pagan clergy of the time.

 

Humanly speaking, Christ was a vagabond, a crank preacher, a disturber of the peace to the Jews and Romans of that day.  In their opinion, his talk was blasphemous, and that’s what caused them to put Him to death.

 

"He was never connected with any organized church, and was never an ordained minister."

 

Who ordained John the Baptist?  To what organized church did he belong?

 

Did Christ ever organize a church?  Did he ever outline a plan of clerical organization?

 

If so, show me!

 

"On account of illegal relations with other women, he was divorced."

 

A serious charge to bring against the living or the dead.  If not true, The Index can be sued and prosecuted.

 

My understanding has been that Pastor Russell’s wife divorced him because he was a eunuch, just as Thomas Carlyle and John Ruskin were.

 

My recollection is that the evidence at the trial showed, that Pastor Russell had never carnally known his wife, or any other woman.

 

The Index had better look it up; I would hate to see the Russellites get out warrents for our Index brethren.

 

"One of his numerous tricks was his miracle wheat."

 

Ah, yes; I had my little pleasantries about that wheat, and am not especially glad to remember it.  The wheat proved to be a prolific variety, and is extensively sown in Kansas and other grain States.  Besides, it is not clear that the Pastor himself was personally responsible for its name, or that he derived any personal profit from it.

 

The sale of that prolific wheat compares quite favorably with some "Church Dinners" that I have tried to eat, and some Oyster Suppers, where-as I heard Bishop Candler say, many, many years ago-"three helpless oysters are sold for a quarter."

 

"In a single decade, he received two million dollars."

 

What did he do with it?  I haven’t seen any account of Pastor Russell’s big estate, yet.  Did he leave any?  Did he hoard the money which poured in upon him, or did he lay it out in good works.?

 

From the small amount of alimony allowed by the court to his divirced wife, I am strongly inclined to believe that he did not own much property, if any at all.

 

"No man has upset the faith of so many devout Christians as did Mr. Russell."

 

Did these upset Christians become infidels?  Were they made worse men and women, by believing in Pastor Russell’s version of Christianity?

 

After having become Russellites, did the upset Christians go to stealing, backbiting, cheating, fornicating and wife-beating?

 

I am acquainted with some Russellites, and they appear to me to be at least as devout in their Christian virtues, as they were before Pastor Russell upset them.

 

In fact, if some of the other "devout Christians" were similarly "upset," and jolted out of their ruts, and hide-bound self-righteousness, they’d be better off, and better missionaries for Christianity.

 

"With his decease, let it be hoped that his works will die with him."

 

What "works" of his were so injurious to the human race?

 

Intellectual agitation, directed as Pastor Russell’s was, cannot do any considerable harm.  Can you imagine a man, or woman, having become a Russellite, from a bad motive?

 

There was no inducement.  No evil motive could have prompted the act.

 

Please think of that.

 

A lustful man might turn Mormon, because of his polygamous propensities.

 

A Protestant preacher may turn Catholic, to become a priest, and enjoy the vast advantages of being one.

 

A bright young man may "study for the ministry," as an easy way to make a good living.  But what inducement, other than honest conviction, could turn a layman of the Baptist or Methodist Church into a Russellite?  I can’t see any.

 

Will Pastor Russell’s works die with him?  Hardly.  Mrs. Eddy’s works did not die with her; and Alexander Campbell’s didn’t, with him.

 

Nothing seems to be easier in this country, than to start a new kind of religion; and I suppose that in the long run, the tares will get separated from the wheat.

 

Which are the tares?

 

Your kind of religion, you numbskull.

 

Which is the wheat?

 

My kind of religion, you simpleton.

 

So far as my reading goes, all theological controversies tend to that conclusion.

 

————————

Voices of the People, What Our Readers Say.

 

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

 

Alvord, Tex., Nov. 10, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

Wednesday, Nov. 1, the death message of our dearly beloved Pastor and teacher, reached me.  Oh! my heart was cast down, but still I rejoice, for our loss is his great gain.  We know he finished his work, so let us all, in the ranks of Jesus, be ever watching unto prayer, and give out the story onto glory.  By His grace victory will be ours at last.

 

Our Redeemer leads us, shields us with His evelasting love, so let us press on daily, strengthened by His loving grace, until we meet Him face to face.  Oh! that will be glory.

 

I am looking ahead with a faith that will not shrink, though the burdens are great that I must bear, but ever trusting Jesus.  I am earnestly striving for a place in that Home not made with hands.

 

SISTER I. P. WHITAKER,

 

R. F. D. 1, Box 64.

 

——————

 

Turkey, Ark., Nov. 13, 1916.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

Words fail me when I try to tell how much I appreciate the Enterprise, and how I thank dear Sister Webb of Tribbey, Okla., for sending  me the three months’ trial subscription to your paper.

 

It seems that you have taken up a part of the Lord’s work just when his people need the messages of comfort and cheer, which your paper is bringing to so many isolated hungry hearts.

 

Oh! how these hearts relish every crumb from the Lord’s table.

 

Now that our dear Pastor, our undershepherd, the humble dispenser of the meat is gone, I find myself wondering again and again if the meat will be the same.  Yet I know that the Lord is guiding His work according to His own wisdom and love.

 

One of the first thoughts that came to me when I heard of Pastor Russell’s death was that the sealing work must be almost done.

 

Sad and bereaved sheep, how our hearts cry out every hour for the Lord to lead us on in the way that will be to His glory.

 

Let me take this opportunity to thank the dear sister and brother who some time ago sent me tokens of love.  It is so good to be remembered by friends we have not seen in the flesh, but who in the spirit we both know and love.

 

I keep such little tokens among my Truth papers and books.

 

Let me beg an interest in the prayers of every consecrated heart.

 

Let us all pray for each other while in this narrow way.

 

Your sister in the wonderful light,

 

MRS. L. T. PANGLE.

 

——————

 

Diamond Bluff, Wis., Nov. 16, ‘16.

 

Editor St. Paul Enterprise:

 

I am instructed to send you a copy of the resolutions which were unanimously passed by our Ecclesia, a copy of which has already been sent to headquarters of the I. B. S. A., Brooklyn.

 

We trust you will be pleased to publish them as our testimony, and that they may be to the inspiration of the friends everywhere, and to our sanctification.

 

We esteem your paper highly "for its works sake."

 

With much Christian love to all in Christ,

 

MRS. C. PETERSON,

 

Secretary.

 

——

 

Resolutions adopted by the Associated Bible Students of the Diamond Bluff Ecclesia on Nov. 12, 1916:

 

Seeing that we are now in "the hour of temptation," and that the "great crisis," of which our dear Pastor so recently warned us, is upon us, we are determined to use it as the greatest opportunity we have yet had of proving our love, loyalty and devotion to our glorified Lord, our beloved Pastor and all the dear brethren.

 

We pledge our loyalty and hearty co-operation to the Association and all its arrangements.

 

Since the works of "that faithful servant" do indeed "follow," we are even now stimulated by his sweet influence.

 

We are determined to walk, not after the flesh but after the Spirit, not to look at the brethren, even as our Heavenly Father looks at us, as New Creatures in Christ.

 

        MRS. C. J. PETERSON, Secy.