The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-24

| conscientious man of God.
No infidel writer, such as Hume,
Voltaire, or Ingerson, ever suffered
such ruthless attacks as have been
made upon Mr.. Russell.
Whether this persecution and mis-
representation is due to prejudice or
| ignorance of this mans real charac-
| ter and writing, is not for me to say,
| but l believe both are elements that
play part in the widespread criti-
cism uttered both from the pulpit and
/ the press.
| Naturally, men will resent any at
tack made upon the creed of their
| persuasion, for they hold to their re-
'1g1ous creed and affiliations with
! more tenacity than they realize until
some strong mind backed by Scrip
ture proof, begins to uproot their doc
trine by showing their inconsistent
cies and errors.
This is what Mr.. Russell proceeds
to do. The fact is, very few of us
have taken the pains to examine,
critically, by the light of the Divine
Word, the doctrine handed down to
us by our fathers. This accounts for
| the fact that Methodist parents raise
! Methodist children and Baptists raise
Baptist Children, etc.
L am amazed beyond measure to
read so many fallacious statements
published regarding the character and
writings of this man. He has been
called gray bearded egotist," a
"bigot," "haberdasher," and MANY
other uncomplimentary terms have
been applied to him, and statements
made which I know to be without
foundation, and which strike me as
being not only very unkiHd, but very
un-Christian. On the contrary, he
ma nifeStS a very meek and humble
spirit, and urges his readers not to be
content with his argument, but to go
to the Scriptures which he points out
and read for themselves
He is charged with teaching heresy.
An article by a minister was recently
published in religious paper, in
which he gave a lengthy criticism of
Mr. Russell's writings, referring to
them as heresy apparently forgetting
denominational views were considered
hereticaD> This article not only mis-
represented Mr.. Russell, but showed a,
lack of critical comparison of his
writings with the Scriptures
For instance, the statement was
made in that article that Mr.. Russell
denies the resurrection of Jesus Christ
The truth is, l doubt whether one of
his critics can preach a stronger ser
mon on the resurrection than one by
him which was recently published in
about 1900 newspapers in the United
states, Canada, Great Britain and
elsewhere, and was read doubtless by
1900, 900 people. 1t showed most
conclusively that the worlds hope of
everlasting life rests entirely upon the
resurrection of the dead. Jesus Christ
being the First-Fruit of them that
slept, God thus gives assurance unto
all men-a hope of a resurrection, as
He raised Christ from the dead
The resurrection is the thread of his
discussion from the beginning of the
first volume to the end of the sixth
volume of his we'll known works,
Studies in the Scriptures.
Mr.. Russell was further charged in
the same article with denying the
Atonement made by Christ between
God and man. Nothing could be fur
Their from the truth.
Mr.. RusselPs first sentence in the
fifth volume, entitled 1.-The Atonement
Between God and Man." is as follows:
The Atonement lies at the very
foundation of the Christian religion
He sets forth the philosophy of the
Ransom in such a clear. logical way
as has never been done before by any
other theologian, presenting such an
array of Scriptures as would satisfy
any fairminded. thinking man.
No one need be in doubt about his
views on these vital subjects.
Besides misstating his views on the
Bible, his very motives have been
questioned, as it has repeatedly been
charged that he is actuated by finan-
cial motives. The fact is he was a
man of wealth 40 years ago. When
he began to spread his views on the
Bible, he spent at the outset SAP, 900
in the publication of pamphlet en-
tied Food for Thinking Christians"
English speaking congregation in the
United States, Great Britain and Can
ada. following it up with repeated
large donations. His books, which are
published in many languages, by the
millions, are sold practically at cost,
nor does he receive penny of royalty
from the sale of them. He never
takes a collection. He has belted the
n T6 n
self comprised the earth and preached
the Gospel to every nation of impor
lance in the world.
His private life also has been assail-
ed by the same class of critics These
charges also are seen to be without
founda ton, when we seek the origin of
such reports. No one who knows any,
thing of his labors in theological re-
search will ever sneer at Mr.. Russell.
He is not to be measured by common
standards. When you look at his
matchless labors. his schlarly attain
ments his donations to the world, in
his writings his time, his labor and
matchless labors, his scholarly attain
others, all f1ippant criticism becomes
contemplate and mean
AS logician and theologian he is
doubtless without a peer today. In his
research for Biblical Truth and har-
mony he is without a parallel in this
Age.
Without a blemish in his character.
with the l6ftiest ideals of God, and the
possibilities of man, he towers like a
giant unmatched. His defects fade
into insignifcance. He has been too
busy spreading Divine Truth, as he
honestly sees it. to waste time in fri
volous speculation in matters not in
some way connected with mans future
state as outlined in The Plan of
the Ages Unselfisll, liberal and
courteous to Christians of all denomi-
nations but fearlessly cohdemning in
unmea sured terms. the errors and in
consistencies in their creeds, as he sees
them. he ranks with immortal benefac-
tors, and is stamping his opinion on