An on again off again topic. So, from the start Brother Russell saw the need to keep all classes, or congregations, unified on the same material, otherwise the early Bible Students would fracture like other religions. But how? Sending Brothers to the classes on a regular basis, today we call them Circuit Overseers.
The "Divine Purpose" book pages 188-190. "Yes, and you recall the work began in 1894.' An effort was made to reach each congregation in the United States and Canada at least twice a year by these visits. Then in 1928 the name designating these servants was changed to "regional service director" and their privileges of service were enlarged to "visit the classes, instruct them how to organize and to work efficiently in the field, and at the same time serve them by delivering discourses upon the present truth." By 1929 this feature of the service had increased to the point that thirteen English-speaking, one Ukrainian and two Polish brothers were engaging in the regional service work. From time to time a "zone assembly" would be held with the twenty or more participating congregations getting together for further instructions and spiritual upbuilding. Special servants were sent from the Society's headquarters to serve at these assemblies. October 1, 1938, the Society made provision for 148 zone servants and eleven regional servants to cover the country regularly. During 1939 a redivision of the territory made provision for 153 zones and six regions, each covered by its own servant." But then something interesting happens. Brother Rutherford put the brakes on it. This is just a small part of a long letter he published, from the "Divine Purpose" book page 191. "From and after December 1, 1941, the regional and zone servants will be discontinued and the regional and zone servants will be assigned to the work hereinafter described." In the letter he explains that he felt unity had been achieved in all the classes and it was up to each servant of the Lord to maintain that unity. I will post more on this later, but after 1940 Brother Rutherford, ended the CO work, the conventions and assemblies and singing at the meetings. It needs to be remembered he got very sick in prison, a lung disease and started having other problems as well. At this point in his life his health was failing fast and bad. We must remember even the Anointed are imperfect humans that get old, sick and suffer. No human has a hedge around them, not even the president of Watchtower, if Jehovah protected ANY human, even the Anointed, from the effects of sin and old age, Satan could make the charge that Jehovah cheated. On page 194 of the "Divine Purpose" book it mentions that at age 72 Brother Rutherford was suffering from a "Serious illness". The way I look at the choices Brother Rutherford made at this point in his life, proves that he was an imperfect human given to the effects of old age, memory issues, sin and imperfection. However, the Organization never faltered. When Brother Rutherford died, and Brother Knorr was elected President. On page 199 of the "Divine Purpose" book it brings out that in 1942, not many months at all from end to start, Brother Knorr restarted the CO visits, assemblies and conventions.
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AuthorI enjoy history, research and study. Archives
December 2024
CategoriesBook written by me
Books Written by Friends
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