Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-11-24
A PASTOR UNIQUE
Speaks to Catholics, FTeethlnk-
ers and Jews.

Pastor Russell Addresses immense Au-
diences In London, Brooklyn and
Elsewhere - Reaches Ten Million
American Homes Through One Thou
sand Newspapers.
To hear Pastor Russell is the desire
Of many Catholics. Protestauts and
Independent thinkers, who appreciate
the published sermons of the cele-
brated editor, author and orator of
the Brooklyn Tabernacle.
Pastor Russell usually speaks under
the auspices of the unsectarian Bible
classes of the large cities, in public
places. where all may assemble on
neutral ground. free from denomina-
tional prejudice, the pastor accepting
only invitations where the seats are
free and no collection to be taken, he
in turn accepting no fee for his lee
lures.
Perhaps the most remarkable con-
gregation on earth is that Of the
Brooklyn Tabernacle, over 20 nation
alities being represented in its board
of elders and deacons. Pastor Rus
sell, when in America, orally serves
his congregation on the first Sunday
of each month. The Academy OF Mu-
sic. Brooklyn's largest auditorium, Is
| now used on Pastor Russelrs home
days and Is often insufficient to ac-
| commodate the ever-increasing crowd.
Pastor Russell, by his defense OF
the Bible as Gods inspired revelation
to man, has won the admiration Of
| the vast majority Of unprecedented
| truth-seeking Bible students. He came
| into prominence in New England IN
1877. Since then his field Of activity
has continually broadened. until now
over 100000 American families are
served by the 1000 newspapers now
publishing his weekly sermons. He is
! the author Of work now in its fourth
million
! Why He Became independent.
/ He was reared under the strlctest
religious discipline as Protestant,
His instructors believed and taught
/ the old style "Hel Fire" doctrine. To
/ save his fellows from such IA fate he
went about his native city. inscribing
i upon walls and fences Rible texts
calling sinners to repentance. During
the next few years, while growing
/ up into commercial life he devoted
much time to the investigation Of Bud
dhaism. Coneucianism and other orien
/ tai religions. to the end that they were
/ found unworthy of credence The
/ thought. (which is the true gospelv'
/ became living question in his inquir-
/ ing mind. which continually reverted
| to the mixed condition and contrary
| claims of Christendom. He questioned.
| should | try to find the truth? Why
| not lay aside such arduous study and
| win fame and fortune in most prom
| Using commercial life now well start
| edY' This he was about TO do. but
decided that he would first investigate
the Scriptures and let the Bible speak
for itself on fire and birthstone.
! Amazed ut the harmonious testimony
proving an unexpected but satisfac-
! tory answer, he continued a 'topical'
| Bible research and was brought to a
| complete confidence in the Bible as be
ing inspired by an all-wise, all-power-
full ADJUST and loving Creator, worthy
to be adored and worshiped. This was
a beginning of new ambition, ana
the question then was, What should he
do and how he should do it. Deter
mining, If possible, to reach every
vr,ho4hnp Gathnlip Prot
estant. Jew or Free-thinker, he found
it necessary to stand free of all sec
tartan bonds and to inaugurate an in
dependent work His first effort was
the preparation Of a booklet entitled,
Food for Thinking Christians
100000 copies being delivered to the
public free of cost
Interested In Jewish Hopes.
Pastor Russell early discovered that
hundreds of texts relating to the prom
ises of Israel were as yet unfulhlled.
and he became intensely interested in
the history of the Jews, past, present
and future-but especially in their flu
ture. An extensive tour of the Holy
Land was accomplished in 1882. The
bud of the coming Jewish nation had
scarcely put forth at that time, How
ever, great strides toward Jewish
polity have since been accomplished.
and Pastor Russell predicts that the
budding of Jewish sprlngtime will
soon be recorded in history
He revisited Palestine last spring
and addressed the Jews in the largest
hall in Jerusalem from Isaiah ri, /, 2.
Upon his arrival home. Pastor Russell
announced that his next topic at the
Academy of Music would be 'Jerusa-
lem" SO unusual, so strange. to see
q Christian minister diating upon jew
ish hopes that all Jewry waited In ex-
pectation of something-they knew not
what. So great was the interest on
this occasion that hundreds of Jews,
as well as hundreds If Gentiles. were
.oIlo 70 o1,4osn aGpittnucq IN hear