Evening journal., 1918-06-14
TOLD Drafted MEN
TO REFUSE TO WORK
Robinson Admits Anti-Mili-
tary Advice When Con-
fronted With Letters
SAYS MILLENNIUM
BEGAN IN 1874

MEM YORK, June it-SO convinced
Of the 'un-Christianity" OF war is Fred
erick II. Robson, on trial with Joseph
r. Rutherford and six other Russellites
for conspiring 10 cause insubordlnation
in the armed forces OF the country. that
he admitted yesterday. TO United states
Judge Howe and a Jury in Brooklyn
that he had written letters 10 "conse-
Grated Christians" and to one who rank
ly stated that he was not a converted
Christian advising them not 60 do
ANY voluntary work at the cantonments
TO which they were drafted Despite
this admission he maintained he had 10
intention OF obstrdcting the war prep
arations OF the government.
What moro could you do 10 interfere
with the formation OF an army" in
boys 40 perform neither combatant nor
non-combatant work ?"
Robson made no answer.
The pacinst coedtor Of the Watch
Tower was born in Greenwood, Ind,
and becamc associated with the late
pastor" Russell in 1904. after having
read the first three volumes OF the lat
tcr's works. lie said he made Just
a living" by buying these for i6 cents
apiece and selling them for 35 cents
each. In January, 1908, he was engaged
in once work at the Allegheny. Pa.
headquarters OF the milenniumites.
When the latter was removed TO Brook
lyn, In 1915, he came here 10 handle
The foreign mail and trsnslatlons OF tne
organization.
Robson in June Of that year decided
20 sever his connection with the Inter
national Bible Students Association, but
admitted he continued 10 act as a lay
preacher. In December. 1871 he re
turned 10 Brooklyn to answer doc
trinal Inquiries" and incidentally
queries from the "cOnsecrated' ones
and others as 10 their attitude when
ordered 10 camps. IL was not until
Assistant United States District Attor-
ney Buchner confronted him with a
batch OF copies Of seized letters that
the witness admitted his anti-military
sentiments and advice.
William =. Van Amburgh, another OF
the indicted adherents OF the Pastors
successor, told OF the preparation OF
800 stereotyped aflidavits for the use
Of draft obiectors. lie was forced TO
who asked for them. He denied le
charged 81 each for them. He said
however. notary fees for them amount
ing to $40.
The treasurer Of the Watch Tower
Bible and Tract Society startled The
spectators with the statement that
christ had descended In spirit to This
mundane sphere OF ours in iS7i and Is
still with us. That year, in his opinion,
was the beginning of the millennium.
Van Amburgh said he expected to see
the second coming any day.
But the Scriptures said that Christ
would come like a thief In the night
and His coming known TO no man,
said ex-Judse ICELAND OF the prosecu-
tion.
The witness replied by asking II the
lawyer knew year ago that he would
be yesterday in the court room. When
answered in the negative Van Amburgh
remarked;
"Weu, then, that is Just the way
with Christ. He did not know when
no would come again. That's what
the Apostle meant when he described
his coming"
Van AmDergn also Snareu tne opinion /
expressed by Clayton ]. Woodwork |
Joint suthor with George II. Fisher OF .
"The Finished Mystery that the ma
iority OF ministers OF all crceds except 1
the Russellites are hypocrites. To sup
port his belief he mentioned tho alleged
case Of South Dal1oto Methodist !
preacher, who, he testified, is now run
ming saloon.
4 check for $500 given Van AM
bergh TO Brother Martin for postage
In connection With the distribution OF
'The Finished Mystery was the sub
Iect OF prolonged examination. Finally /
Van Ambergh said he gave his personal /
heck from a trust account OF former
brother" because he did not want to .
draw on the funds Of the account OF /
the Watch Tower Bible and Tract So |
riety and thereby delay the publication |
Of the pOsthumous work OF the Pas /
tor" Four OF the deposed directors Of |
he organization were opposed 20 the |
distribution Of the much discussed vol
lme.
ire also members OF the A. 4. 7. A. and |
viii be at 80 targets /