A Prediction Without Any Warrant from Scripture — Pastor Russell Will Be Found Mistaken — Begins to Fear It Himself, and Seeks to Explain
By JEAN VUILLEUMIER
A FOUR-PAGE periodical, which is volume 2, No. 1, of the Bible Student’s Monthly, published by the “International Bible Association,” Brooklyn, New York, is circulated everywhere. On its first page is a sermon preached recently by pastor C. T. Russell, the well-known religious writer and lecturer, who for the last thirty years or more has been very active and successful, with his colaborers, in circulating books, papers, and pamphlets about the “dawn of the millennium.”
Claims Christ Returned in 1874
Russell’s leading work is entitled “Studies in the Scriptures.” It comprises six bound volumes, and was copyrighted in 1889. In it the claim is made that Christ returned to this earth in 1874, and that forty years from that date—that is, in 1914—“the kingdom of God will obtain full, universal control . . . in the earth, . . . on the ruins of present institutions.”
Let me quote his words more fully in reference to the first date: “The next chapter will present Bible evidence that 1874 A. D. was the exact date of the beginning of the ‘times of restitution,’ and hence of our Lord’s return.” (Volume 2, page 170.) “The antitypical thousand years of restitution of all things . . . commenced October, A. D. 1874.” (Page 181.) See also pages 187, 39, 40.
And now on the second date: “In this chapter, we present the Bible evidence proving that the full end of the times of the Gentiles, that is, the full end of their lease of dominion will be reached in A. D. 1914; and that that date will be the farthest limit of the rule of imperfect men. . . . At that date, the kingdom of God . . . will obtain full, universal control. . . . It will then be ‘set up,’ or firmly established, in the earth, on the ruins of present institutions. . . . He whose right it is to take the dominion will then be present as earth’s new Ruler. . . . From that time forward, Jerusalem will no longer be trodden down of the Gentiles. . . . Before that date, God’s kingdom, organized in power, will be in the earth and then smite and crush the Gentile image (Dan. 2:34)—and fully consume the power of these kings. . . . The Bible evidence is clear and strong that the ‘times of the Gentiles’ is a period of 2,520 years, from the year B. C. 606 to and including A. D. 1914.” (Pages 76–79.)
Said All Kingdoms Would Be Overthrown in 1914
If words mean anything, the above sentences plainly and emphatically state that by the end of 1914, at the latest by January 1, 1915, all the governments of this world will be abolished—that empires, kingdoms, republics, dominions, colonies, protectorates, duchies, principalities, clans, and tribes, in Europe or in America, in Asia or in Africa, would all come to an end, to a “full end”; would be “ruined, smitten, crushed, and consumed.” At that time—that is, on January 1, 1915—“earth’s new Ruler,” Jesus Christ, “will obtain full, universal control” of this world, and assume the duties now devolving on all emperors, kings, presidents of republics, sultans, viceroys, governors, senators, etc.
Such is Mr. Russell’s unequivocal prediction.
Let not the point be misunderstood or evaded. The Bible teaches, and many Christians believe, that there is to be an “end of this world,” or age; that this earth will be shaken by an awful earthquake, which will lay all its cities in ruins, and that our Lord will then appear in power and glory to call forth the dead from their graves.
Mr. Russell leaves out the geological and cosmic disturbances, and the “glorious appearing,” and reduces them to political changes, including also a gradual betterment in physical conditions. But the end of the age, as he understands it, must appear right away. This overwhelming political revolution, he tells us, will take place within a few weeks from now. We are therefore well prepared to test the truthfulness of his prediction. A few more weeks will either vindicate or explode the bold assumption of the founder of Millennial-Dawnism. If this world-wide political transformation takes place within the next sixteen days, there will certainly be some reason for paying attention to Mr. Russell’s teachings and interpretations, and for believing that our Lord Jesus Christ did come to this earth in 1874, and has been here ever since.
Russell Himself in Doubt
But lo, Mr. Russell has come to doubt the correctness of the wonderful prophecy he has been palming off on the world during the past thirty years. Likely enough this doubt has been growing to formidable proportions in his mind for the last few years or months. The only honorable thing for him would be to admit and confess his error. But he does not. He begins by disclaiming his own prediction, and fastening it on some one else. The sermon above mentioned is entitled: “End of the World in 1914 Not the View of Pastor Russell.” This view, he says, has been “recently” uttered by a “Canadian minister.” Then he jumps on some side issues, and finally, coming back to the crucial point, says composedly:
“We are looking very interestedly [well he may] to see what the present year may bring forth. . . . If this great change from the dominion of Satan to the rule of Christ shall begin to manifest itself this very year, 1914, it will be a cause for rejoicing to all. . . . If we have the correct date and chronology, Gentile times will end this year—1914. What of it? We do not surely know. Our expectation is that the active rule of Messiah will begin. . . . Our expectation [not that ‘Canadian minister’s’], true or false, is that there will be . . . the breaking up of many institutions of the present time, if not all.”
Cleverly Changes Front
Witness how cleverly Mr. Russell, after half admitting what he has flatly denied in his title, changes his positions and statements in order to bridge himself over the chasm of his error. What was to take place in 1914 as the “farthest limit,” ‘may772begin’ this year. What was given out on “clear and strong evidence,” “may” happen, but it is “not sure” at all. What was to be the “full, universal control” of the power of the “kings” of to-day, is simmered down to the possible “breaking up of many institutions of the present time.” In a word, Mr. Russell himself reduces his preposterous predictions to nil, without the least admission on his part of having been mistaken.
Error is human. Therefore a frank acknowledgment of one’s mistake should restore to any man the confidence of the public. Mr. Russell has not chosen this way. What will his deluded disciples think of him? Will they accept his glosses, or will they return to these two admonitions of our Lord (Matt. 24:36, 23–27)?
1. “But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only.”
2. “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you beforehand. If therefore they shall say unto you, . . . Behold, He is in the inner chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man.”
