The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-03-06
Why Freedom Is Being Asked
For Pastor RusselPs Followers

1lSlOAlS lllGOASLclitNNs IAiC Wal anu az
tending excitement furnished the OPP
portunity for the preparation of a
great wrong aginst the defendants
and the association members in gen
eral was worked up on the theory
that they were German agents,
spreading German propaganda. Moth
ing was ever more false.
About 1875 the late Pastor Russell
began to gather around him Chris
tian people, who came from all de-
nominations, Catholic and Protes-
tant, which resulted in the organiza-
ton of what is known throughout
the world by the generic title Inter-
national Bible Students Association,
which is devoted exclusively to re-
ligious work. The principle govern
ing the religious organization (and
which may be called a creed), con-
sists of the Bible as interpreted by
Pastor Russell in his writing and
publications.
From 1884 until his detah in 1916,
Pastor Russell edited and published
The Watch Tower, a semi-monthly
publication, devoted exclusively to BIZ
bic teachings. In 1886 he published
volume l of his Bible Commentaries
and in the preface Of that volume
announced that there would be seven
volumes of the commentaries to be
complete with the seventh volume.
He wrote much of the matter for vol
ume7, but died without having pub
hshed it, saying on his deathbed that
someone else would complete that
work. At a representative meeting
OF the l. B. S. A. throughout the
I'd Joseph F. Rutherford was cleo
successor to Pastor Russell as
resident of that religious society,
and during the first year of his ad-
ministration volume 7, 1.-The Finished
Mystery" was published. A few
isolated pages in this book formed
the basis for the prosecution of Ruth
ertord and his associates, resulting in
their incarceration in the United
States penitentiary. The charge in
the Indictment was a conspiracy to
cause INSTRUMENTATION, disloyalty and
mutiny in the army and navy, brought
under the war measure known as the
espionage act. The character of these
mon and their conduct and habits pri-
or to as well as following the war,
Will bear upon the question of intent
with which any act or thing as charg-
ed was done.
Those Under Arrest.
Joseph f. Rutherford a prominent
and able lawyer, became interested
in the writings of Pastor Russell. He
finally consecrated himself to the
Lord, and in 1907 he gave up a large
and lucrative practice and went on
the lecture platform under the aus
pices of the above religious associa-
ton. Being man of some financial
means, he gave his services free, sup
porting himself and family out of his
own private funds, besides donating
money to aid in carrying on the work
OF the society He made three extern
ded lecture tours of Great Britain and
continental Europe, visited the Holy
Land, Egypt and other places of Bib
lical interest, and was heard by MANY
thousands. He has lectured to capac-
lty houses in all the larger cities of
America de spent eleven years ex-
ciuslvely in this religious work, and
at the time of his arrest was dill
gently directing the work of this
great religious society exactly along
the same lines his predecessor had
pursued for forty years previous. He
Is doubtless the best known layman
Bible lecturer In the worldHe is one
OF the editorial writers of The Watch
Tower. He was Pastor RusselPs
close personal friend and associate.
w. Z. Van Amburgh for more than
fifteen years has held the position of
secretary and treasurer of this re-
igious society and has devoted the
best years of his life to Christian
work.
G. j. Woodwork and George H.
Fisher, both of Scranton, Pa, for
many years have been active mem
bers of the l. B. S. A., and cola
oorers of Pastor Russell. Both men
If splendid ability aside from their
vide knowledge of the Bible. After
he death of Pastor Russell these two
gentlemen were assigned the task of
preparing for publication volume 7
OF the studies in the Scriptures and
known at The Finished Mystery"
Mr.. Fisher IS also member of the
board of directors of this religious
society and associate editor of The
pdCCH lower.
F. H. Robinson, associate editor of
The Watch Tower, is also a lecturer
OF wide reputation. A. H. MacMil-
Ian and R. j. Martin are Bible lee
turers well known throughout Amer
lea. Mr.. Macmillan was a member
OF the board of directors, while Mr..
Martin was office manager of the So
ciety which employed a large num-
Der OF Christian men and women in
It's work. G. DeCecca was engaged
as teacher and lecturer for Italian
members of this religious organiza-
ton.
All these men are fully consecrat-
ed to the Lord and His cause and
have each been exclusively engaged
IN this work from ten to twenty years.
Some idea can be gained of the
scope of this associations work
when we are reminded that it's publi-
cations of which Pastor Russell was
the author attained to a wider circu-
Iatlon than any book ever published
aside from the Bible. Many million
volumes Of these books are in the
hands of the people.
Many years before the war an
nouncement had been made that vol
ume 2 of the above series would ex-
plain the prophetic books of the Ri
ole known as Ezekiel and Revela-
Il