CTR’s Expectations Concerning 1914 – Part 1
1886:
Archive for the '1878' Category
1844 Prophecy?
On the webpage at:
http://www.freewebs.com/wwwsoundnessofmindcom/charlestazerussell.htm
we are being told:
Nelson H. Barbour (1824-1908, NY)–Millerite Adventist taught that the rapture would occur in April, 1878. Paired up with Russell 1876-1881. Influenced Russell by teaching an invisible return of Christ. Split over differences after failed prophecy of Christ�s return in 1844 and debate over Christ�s ransom.
This appears to be saying that Russell split with Barbour over an alleged “failed prophecy” of Christ’s return in 1844. Could be a typo, possibly meant to be 1874. Regardless, Russell was not even born in 1844, so I do not see how he could be having any differences with anyone concerning an alleged failed prophecy concerning Christ’s return in 1844.
There was some difference, however, regarding 1878, not over Christ’s return (which neither was expecting for that year), but over what had happened on that date.
If 1874 was date meant, I believe both Russell and Barbour had agreed, at least until 1878, that Christ had already returned invisibly in 1874. Russell himself never made any predictions concerning either 1844 nor 1874. It was not until two years after 1874 that Russell accepted that Jesus had already returned in 1874. There was no failure concerning that date.
Neither Russell nor Barbour, however, ever claimed to be making any prophecies. Russell disclaimed be a prophet many times, but rather he claimed to be a student of prophecy. Thus there were no “failed prophecies”, not unless one may believe that the Bible itself contains “failed prophecy”.
See:
Russell’s own words regarding his differences with Barbour may be found at:
Filed under: Things You Might Not Know About Charles T. Russell | Tagged: 1844, 1878, Charles Taze Russell, Christ’s return., failed prophecy, N. H. Barbour
Supplement to the First Issue of the Watch Tower
ZION’S
WATCH TOWER
AND
HERALD OF CHRIST’S PRESENCE
Vol. I********** JULY, 1879 ********** No. 1
page 1
SUPPLEMENT TO
Zion’s Watch Tower,
And “Herald of Christ’s Presence.”
==========
PITTSBURGH, PA., JULY 1, 1879.
==========
To the readers of the “HERALD OF THE MORNING,”
DEAR FRIENDS: My connection with the “Herald” having been terminated rather suddenly, and under circumstances which must seem rather remarkable and peculiar to you, I feel it to be a duty both to you and to myself to offer an explanation of the manner of withdrawal and my reasons for so doing. Quite a number who were personally acquainted with me thought there must be more of the story to tell, and I have received a number of letters asking an explanation. To these inquiries and to many unexpressed of similar character, let me offer the following statement:
Russell’s Disappointment Over 1878
Before 1878, Russell and Barbour had expressed that the translation of the saints should be expected in the spring of 1878, using parallels to arrive at that date. The event in the first side of the parallel was the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, which was suggested to find its parallel in 1878, and the thus the suggestion that in 1878 the living saints would be translated. However, from Russell’s later statements attributed to Russell, Russell evidently held some reservations that perhaps they were coming to the wrong conclusions about what to expect for 1878, but he evidently held this to himself until after 1878. Thus, the “disappointment” for Russell was not all that great, whereas, it appears that the disappointment for Barbour was much greater than for Russell. We should note that while Russell retained the basic timeline until his death, his views concerning what happened on what date later changed, as well as his expectations for 1914. We have added to some of our own remarks in double brackets [[...]]. We have also expanded names of the Bible books, and added Biblical citations (Names of book, chapters and verses of quotations given) that were not given in the original publication. Of course, the seven-year period Russell allots for the harvest in this article proved to be a wrong conclusion, but Russell denied that his expectations should be considered “prophecy.” Russell plainly stated that he was not a prophet. Nor did Russell believe himself to be the head of an organization, such at the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ central authority doctrine.
Some Imaginative Misinformation Concerning Russell
Someone has just posted a page on a website directed toward “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” but which in reality is mostly concerning Charles Taze Russell. First, let us say that we have studied the works of Charles Russell very extensively for over forty years. (We are not with the JWs; we consider ourselves as associated with the Bible Students).
We have to state first that most of what is presented by the writer is from somebody’s imaginative mind.
