Harvest Siftings (1917)
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AR VEST SIFTINGS
"For toe wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this.world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."—Ephesians 6:12
THE EVIL ONE AGAIN ATTEMPTS TO DISRUPT THE SOCIETY
CONFIDENTIAL STATEMENT OF FACTS BY REQUEST
To Jnfrmaftoftai BibJ* SiudfHtj jeattfrrd thrauffhout world * Deas Birnoxx in Cheist:—
In this hour of sorrow, mingled with joy, we think of the words of St. Peter, so appropriate at this time: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fire among you that is to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you." (1 Peter 4:13.)
Time and again our dear Pastor warned us of this coming time, and now it is here. In Tkx Watch Town under date of 1897, page 44, he said:
“Fiery trials are therefore to be expected by all of the Lord’s people, especially in this day of the Lord. As surely as we ire sons of God we shall have them; and when they come we should promptly recognize their mission to us and lee that we are exercised by them unto godliness, sobriety and deep and fervent piety.”
Who then, wit! be able to stand? The Lord answers, Everyone whose heart is perfect.—3 Ch ton. 18:0.
Seeing the activities of the Adversary, and that a great trial was coming, I had toped and prayed that the Church might be spared from it if it be the Lord's will, but evidently it is His will that the fire shall bum out all dross; that only the refined gold ah a 11 remain. I assure you, dear brethren, that in making this statement I have no unkind feeling toward anyone. As I search my heart I am •ure it is perfect toward all. The Lord is my judge. I feel, under the circum-itances, that I owe it to you to take you into my confidence and make a plain statement of the facts, and then let each of you judge as to what leemelh good, and may the Lord guide you in hearing. I ask each one of you to be calm, watching and praying while you read, and tee that you have no prejudice or feeling, either (or -or against; and that you do not form any distinct opinion until you have read all this statement. In order for you to understand, It will be necessary for me to speak of the brethren involved by name, even if it is painful so to do. Brother Russel! long warned us that the evil spirits would exercise great power in the closing hours of the Church's pilgrimage, and I am wondering if they are the cause of this fearful trial. He will make it clear in due time. Read Rev. 7 comments In Vol. 7 of SouPTuax Sruuixs.
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY
the Pni Ideal of th* WATCH TOTTER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY Lm this day made a e Interne at In writing ba fora tho nndanlrnadi, who are bow member® of tha Board of Directors, ssttlnf forth hl* mU dan a and performed eLao* ths death. Brother Ku a sell, and hie elec tlon as Fra aid anti
“AND WHEREAS, Lt la His aeaad of this Board that the Fnal-dflnt ehoo-Id pre pars and publish, for tbs benoflt of the Church at Larre. * statem«nl of facts concernlnr hl a sold activities)
"AND WHEREAS, It la wall known that opposition, has orison njalBit the President}
“AND WHEREAS, wo have hoard n StatertJent a* lenrth by Brothart Rutherford, Hirsh, Tlssklna, Wright, Ritchie, Macmillan. Vsu Ambursh. Baenerlola aad others;
"AND WHEREAS, It appear* from th* fasts brcoyhl before bi that Brothers I. X. Hoskin*, R. H. Hirsh, A. I. Rite hie end J. D. Wrlcht have not boon legally member* of the Board of DLrociort cf ths WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY for mare than, six months prior thereto, and are not now member* thereof i and ths nocots I ty Rawin r arisen for a full sad eonpisli Board of Directors; and the President, acting under the power and aathority conferred upon Mm by th* torm* of the CbarUr and the Lsei of the State of Bannay I Tula, has appelated foeur member* to complete eaid Boult
-NOW, THEREFORE, DE IT RESOLVED, that wo, ths Bnder-tlrnod members of the Board -of Directors, do hereby express our hearty approval of the acts and conduct of our President and Geuenl Manayer and Executive Offlcor of ths WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY, which dutlpe wo do*tro him to continue; and wo take this occnalon to express our utmost eon-f.deaoo in him M a brother sad servant in the Lord, and to. commend him, with Iovine prayore ud asaarance of our Support, to all who love cur dear Factor Rastell and who believe that he was sent to be ths ("aide of tho Church to the end of her way;
“AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we believe that our dear Brother Rutherford la the man. th* Lord has chceeu to carry on the work that yet re mala* to bo dons In Factor BameeU'a name and In 'the name of tho Lord; and that no other lin the Church I* as well qualified a* he io de this work; or could have received *s the Lord** hand rr Oster owl donees of B.1* love and: favor!
"AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President be. and he le hereby roquoeted to prepare a fcU statement of the facte loadlnr Bp to tho eonditlono now existing lu the work at Brooklyn and a full statement of the necessity axlalny for th* appointment ef member* of the Board of Director* and whj th* same is done; and such other facto as may be necessary In thio connection for tho rood and welfare of tho Church at larrei and that said Statement bo published If doemed necessary.
In the name of the Master of the Harvest. our Lord and.
Bavlaur Jesus Christ, Amen f
“Brooklyn, New York, “July 17th, 1917.”
That you may understand why I was led to appoint four members of the Board of Directors in order to lave the Society’ll money from being .tied up by law ■uits and its work wrecked, both of which have been threatened, it is needful that I relate to you some things that have occurred since I became your President To do this, I am impelled to tell you what occurred in Great Britain with reference to Brother Johnson, whom I have loved very dearly. Some of the four brethren hereinafter mentioned, members of the Bethe! Family, acting under advice of a lawyer who is not too friendly toward the Truth, and under the advice of another who is not a lawyer, have been about some of the classes making derogatory itate-ments against the President, Secretary and Treasurer and others
“A N. Pierson, “W. E. Spill, ”W. E Van Amiuigh, “J, A. Boh net, “A. H. Macmillan, "Geo. H. Fishes.”
. a . of the Society with a
view to creating a sentiment in the minds of the friends against these brethren. They have done this while traveling at the expense of the Society and as its representatives. Since they have made it public and disturbed the minds of many of the friends, it becomes my duty to you to make a statement of the facts.
EPITOME OF FACTS HEREINAFTER ESTABLISHED
S Tbit you may lateUIxeatly folio* th* evidence hereinafter «t forth, I 6rat give ■ brief outline of Z1 whit the facts prove:
■ “ (1.) That Brother P. S. L Johnson was eent to Europe last November to do pilgrim work for the
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY and, in order to procure a passport, was given a letter P of authority which he understood in fact limited him to preaching the Gospel and ascertaining by Inquiry ■Z certain facta about the work there and reporting them to the Society; that for some cause he overstepped Z- his authority; that he charged'several brethren with disloyalty to Brother Russell; that he discharged, with-
■ ■ out authority, two of the managers of the Society's London office and compelled them to leave the London S Bethel
■ ■ (2.) That the Executive of the Society appointed a commission of five able brethren of Great Britain
■ Z to go to London and aicgff in thn fart* Td report; that Brother Johnson attempted to unduly Influence
5 this commission before it met; and being unable to do so, he repudiated It and refused to appear before it;
•c that he was recalled from England by cablegram.
(3.) That Brother Johnson announced in various places La England that he was the "Steward* of the Z" "Penny* mentioned in the Lord’s parable (Matt. 20:8), and claimed all the pourers and authority that Brother
•Z Russell possessed; that he had a well-laid plan to take full control of all the Society's work in Great
p Britain and to cstabliah a new WATCH TOWER there; that he announced to the friends Ln Great Britain
■Z that he should have been the Society's President but declined to accept.
(4.) That when the commission met Ln London for the purpose of examining Into the facta, Brother P Johnson then repudiated the action of the Shareholders in electing the President of the Society at Pitts* ■. burgh, January 6, 1917, and Ignored the President and began to communicate with Brother A. I. Ritchie and, (through him, to appeal to the Board of Directors.
(5.) That when he was resisted by Brother Hemery, the remaining manager Ln the London office. Brother Johnson, togedier with an accomplice, got possession of the keys and forcibly took possession of the London office, the Society's mail, opened the safe and extracted therefrom a large sum of money belonging to the Society and then instituted a law suit Ln the High Court of Chancery in London, In the name of the > Society by himself as special representative, against the manager of the London office- and against the Bank •Z where the Society's funds were deposited and tied up the money in the Bank; that this law suit was decided Z« adversely to Brother Johnson, and his solicitor was required by the High Court to pay the cost, and that P later Brother Hirsh snd allies and at the Instance of Brother Johnson tried to have the Society pay Brother Johnson's solicitor Ln the case, but failed.
Z- (fl.) That everything at the Brooklyn office was moving smoothly, with no discord, until Brother John* ■Z son demanded of the Society's President that he be returned to England and, being refused, then exercised
Z« his Influence over Brothers Hirsh, Hoskins, Wright and Ritchie and induced them to believe that the Preai-
P dent was ignoring them. He Influenced them to ask for a meeting of the Board of Directors to give him
*. the third hearing about what he did Ln Europe; that when the President refused to call a meeting for that
Z« purpose, then he advised them to act aside a by-law which the Shareholders had passed and which the
•Z Board of Directors had passed, and take away from the President all of the authority and turn it over to
5 these four brethren.. Brother Johnson, on the 23th day of July last, admitted that the trouble hereinafter
?* described was the result of the refusal of his demand for a re-hearing with a view to his being sent back to
England.
■Z (7.) That the other four brethren, acting under the advice of Brother Johnson, began a systematic cam* p palgn amongst the brethren, charging that the'President is ignoring Brother Russell's will and going con* ■Z trary to the precedent established by Brother RusselL That a plan was outlined by them and they, acting under Z« the advice of Brother Johnson and the lawyer, set about to influence some of the prominent brethren against
P the President and bring pressure to bear upon him to surrender his authority of the Society to these four
'■ brethren. That they outlined a course exactly parallel to that pursued by Brother Johnson in England, and p openly stated that it the President and the PEOPLES PULPIT ASSOCIATION resisted their action that ■Z they would resort to the courts of law and tie up all the money of the Society, so that it could not be used, and that they would either run the Society or wreck it; and that their wrongful action was prevented by P the President.
BROTHER JOHNSON GOES TO ENGLAND
Brother Russell had arranged last Fall for Brother Johnson to visit Europe, and those left in charge after Brother Russell's departure thought well to carry out his wishes and send him. Brother Johnson called at the State Department at Washington, and the Bureau of Ctixenship In New York for information concerning passports. Returning he informed the Committee that it was necessary for him to have credentials showing that jt was imperative that he visit the foreign countries in the interests of the Society; otherwise the government, because of the war, would not grant the passport Myself and Brother Johnson together prepared a letter to present to the State Department, with the understanding that it was for the procuring of a passport. When it came to the signing of the letter Brother Van Amburph, the Secretary, refused to sign, because it granted sweeping authority to Brother Johnson. Then it was explained in the presence of Brothers Van Amburgh, Ritchie and myself, and Brother Johnsen, that the only purpose of the letter was to enable Brother Johnson to procure a passport, and that his authority would really be the same as any other pilgrim or lecturer. Brother Ritchie then remarked to Brother Johnson that it would be well for him to Inquire at the Society's offices he visited in Europe and get all the information he could about the manner of conducting the work, to all of which Brother Johnson agreed. It then became necessary for him to have a letter of introduction to the London office, and of course this had to be written consistent with the other letter, because the Government of Great Britain would examine all of his papers when he arrived at the bordei, and anything inconsistent would probably result in sending him out of the eountry, hence we wrote a similar letter to the London office with ths same understanding,
TROUBLE BEGINS IN ENGLAND
About the Sth of February a cablegram was received from Brother Johnson, reading as follows:
"Situation intolerable. Sheam. Crawford, dismissed. Appealing to you. Withhold answer pend* ing my mail."
About the same time another cablegram was received from Brothers Sheam and Crawford, as follows:
"Astounding developments, office and Tabernacle.
Please deter all judgment*
The Ixtwmhonal Bmlx Stvoixts Assooattok, organised under the laws of Great Britain, has a council of five members. Brothers Hemery, Sheam and Crawford constituted the members in England, while Brother Russell snd myself were the two members here. The same three brethren
“Johnson rampaging. He [and] Housden seizing mails and cash. Hasten sealed cancellation authority. Cormack two others sympathize with him. Solicitor recommends Johnson’s forcible ejection. Have placed embargo on bank."
After the commissioners were appointed, and Brother Johnson learned that they were to go to London to investigate the facts and report, oin'Kdl rac/i owr of them ptrjonaify and tried to influence them in his behalf and against the others. This fact is proven by the following letters from Brother Crawford:
LETTERS FROM BROTHER CRAWFORD
January 20, 1917.
“Lancaster Gate, London, England.
Ma. J. F. Ruth taro rd
and The Executive Committee, Watch Towxa Biaut and Tract Society, Brooklyn, N. Y.
“Dear Brethren in the Lord:
Briefly, the circumstance^ are as follows. About a month or so before our dear Brother Russell passed beyond, the Elders of the Landon Tabernacle —realizing that the arrangements then existing in the Tabernacle were not giving complete satis faction to the members of the Congregation—unammoujl'y agreed to call a meeting and inquire into al! the circumstances which lay at the root of the trouble.... “Shortly after, word eame that Brother Johnson was on bis way, and we wondered if by chance he had been charged by Brother Russell with the expression of his mind on the matter. When Brother Johnson arrived, however, he knew nothing of the correspondence and at once set about, as he thought, to set things in order in the Tabernacle. We all wished him God speed and gave him every .assistance possible. Judge, then, of my surprise when, a few days later, I found all the eleven Elders condemned by Brother Johnson, and myself with two other brethren of the Office staff charged by him on the following three counts:—(1) With attempting to deceive Brother RusselL (2) With concealing the real purpose of the Resolution. (3) With having an evil motive tn signing same.
“At first I did not take the matter seriously and tried to believe that Brother Johnson surely did not mean to brand all the eleven Elders of the Tabernacle as hypocrites, etc., without any proof or hearing whatever, and the three brethren of the Office uneven worse.—1 Tim. 6: 1, 19.....
"The ^situation that was created became impossible, because, in the first place, neither of the three involved were conscious of any sin or evil motive nor had they wronged any one either by word or action; secondly, to relinquish Eldership meant to expose two of them (myself included) to the probable operation of the Military Act, a step which, to every reasonable mind would surely seem wrong. Brother Johnson’s reply to this point was that having committed this sin I must now bear the consequences: in the third place, this procedure was altogether contrary to the policy advocated by Brother Russell— whose recommendation was that the Pilgrims and Office workers who represented the Society as lecturers should be Elders either in a home Church or in the Tabernacle.
"A few days later Brother Johnson came tc London, when I had a further word with him and endeavored to point out how unreasonable his attitude was. .. . .
“Your brother and servant in the Anointed.
“W. Crawtord "
Also the following letter written ten weeks later will be of interest;
“42 Selbome Rd., Ilford E., April 3, 1917.
“Dear Brother Rutherford :
“Doubtess Brother Johnson informed you that he t dismissed me and my wife from the office and home
> and instructed us to leave the premises immediately.
As I had no time to make any arrangements and Brother Johnson threatened to put my furniture out or have it used if not removed at once. I was forced to have it taken to the above address to be stored r "I am sorry to say that Brother Johnson seems to
be going from bad to worse. To my mind he is
above mentioned were the manager« of the London office, conducting the work there.
Knowing that Brother Johnson had no authority to discharge Brothers Shearn and Crawford, and being doubtful of the situation, I sent the following cablegram to Brother Johnson:
"Have contending sides sign agreed statement of » facts and send for my decision." t
Then Ln a few days I left for California. Some time after ’ I reached Los Angeles I received information from Brothers ] Crawford and Shearn, also from Brother Johnson, that the two brothers mentioned had been discharged from the London office and the London Bethel I appointed five able brethren la Great Britain as a commission to investigate, and then sent the following cablegram:
“Shearn, Hemety, Crawford, Johnson, London:
"Shearn, Crawford dismissal absolutely without authority. Restore them immediately. Must have fair trial before my commissioners. Show cable commissioners. Report awaited."
The next day I received a cablegram dated Liverpool, February 24, 1817, and reading as follows;
"Rutherford. Watch Tower Society, Brooklyn, N. Y.
“Surprised at cablegram. 'Have you not received my letters second, eleven, twenty-one. January? Shearn, Crawford, leading sixth sifting. Ezekiel Nine Beware. Cablegram campaign engineered Crawford, Shearn. Ears Nehemiah Mordecai experience type mine here. Since January Twenty-eight am Steward Matthew, Twenty, eight Shearn, Haman then hanged on gallows for me. Was then given Esther Eight, Two Fifteen powers like Russell's. Crawford, San-ballat. Shearn, Tobiah. Guard Senior, Ghhen. Will you be my right hand? Must keep my hands on.
“Johnson."
(This, and subsequent cablegrams sent out by Brother Johnson cost the Society hundreds of dollars for their ■transmission.)
Within the next two or three days I received the following cablegram from Brother Hemery, dated London, Feb. 25th:
“Johnson claims full control everything. I resist as your representative Dispute with co-managers his* not mine. Los Angeles cable baa attention. What are Johnson's powers F*
On the ITth of February I cabled Brother Johnson as follows:
“Your work finished London; return America, important."
Believing from the information that I had, and from the language used by Brother Johnsoi? in. his cablegram, in which he stated that he was “steward" with all powers formerly held by Brother Russell. I was convinced that his mind was deranged and that he was disturbing the work in Great Britain. Thereupon I cabled from Los Angeles to Brother Hemery as follows:
“Johnson demented. Has no powers. Credentials Issued to procure passport Return him America. Sympathy.’’
A cablegram dated London, March 7, 1917, addressed to Brothers Ritchie and Van Amburgh, was received from Brother Johnson, which Is as follows:
"Society’s interest demand I retain powers Board, not executive committee, gave me. I appeal Board through you against Rutherford's repudiating Board's representative. He is subject Society. Society's representative subject to it as against him. Letter follows. Continue letter appointment and credentials. Increased injury otherwise, ‘Congregation unanimously voted me confidence appreciation against Shearn, Crawford. Rutherford's committee approves me. Disapproves him. Bethclites approve dismissals. Acted 'harmonious with my powers. I protest in God’s name to Board through you."
Later, Brother Hemery, learning of this cablegram, sent the following, dated London, March 18th, addressed to Brother Rutherford:
“Understand Johnson cabled untruths Ritchie. Hope soon report his collapse"
The following cablegram was received from Brother Hemery, dated March 14th, London, addressed to myself:
cither under the influence of spiritism or else has temporarily lost his balance of mind. No sane man would act or do the thuajn that he has done during the last month or so. For no cause whatever but merely evil surmising on his part he has denounced me for hours in the Tabernacle, telling them that I was dead spiritually and no longer a brother, etc, etc. He has also gone to my wife when I was absent on more than one occasion, telling her the same ridiculous story and tried to separate us. Once he gave her such a talking to in this way that when I came in I found her weeping and almost in hysterics.
**.....Brother Johnson has been telling the
classes that he is the steward of the parable of the Penny and that he would have been the president only he refused to allow hie name to go forward for nomination.
“A peculiar delusion of his which he has been preaching to the classes is. Brothers Shearn and Guard and I are fulfilling certain types recorded in Nehemiah, Chap. 2: 4 and 0. He says that I am “Sanballat,” Brother Shearn, ‘'Tobiah,' and Brother Guard •'Geshem.'
“The classes here are in sore straits through his visits. He seems to have unsettled nearly every class he visited. The brethren have been much relieved however by the receipt of your cable and are Siad to know that his doings did not represent the odety.
“Brother Johnson, however, does not now acknowledge your authority to counsel his dismissal and says that can only be done by the Executive Committee. He refused to allow either Brother Shearn or me to be reinstated.
" . . . , Now just a word about the Commission of Inquiry. It was very kind of you to make this arrangement and I mudi appreciate your efforts to have justice done. I would like however to make a few remarks regarding the members of the Commission and bow the inquiry was carried out. It was no fault of the members of course that fhry had all been Mtmrirw/d by Brother Johnson and their minds influenced to some extent by Brother Johnson's views of things. Brother Johnson had spent srvrraf day/ in Brother M, Ctefi homo trying to convince him of bis views of things, and indeed was there when your cable of instructions was received.
“Yours by His grace,
"W. Caawroao."
BROTHER JOHNSON WRITES BROTHER HEMERY We also quote a letter addressed to Brother Hemcry, written and signed by Brother Johnson. This letter appears as an Exhibit in the High Court of Justice in the case wrongfully instituted by Brother Johnson in the name of the Society against the London managers. The document follows:
"1917 W. No. 541.
“IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE CHANCERY DIVISION MR. JUSTICE EVE
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY
HEMERY AND OTHERS
“This is the Exhibit marked 'J. H. 4.’ referred to in the Affidavit of Jesse Hemery sworn herein this 22nd day of March, 1917, before me, “A. S. JACKSON, “A Commissioner of Oaths.
“A. J. Greenop & Co.
a Bush Lane House.
Cannon Street.
London. E. C., 4.”
“BIRKENHEAD, 24th February, 1917. “Mr. J. Hemery,
34 Craven Terr., London, W.
“Bixovc Biann Hemexy:
“Grace and peace. Glad to receive your letter. Will answer it first, and then give you something I else.
“Re a further trip. I had better remain at London from the time of my arrival there until the following Thursday or Friday then go to Glasgow, with possibly a day off at Manchester. I will wait and see what Manchester develops next week. On the way back, so far as I can see, I would like an appointment at Edinburgh so as to set matters clearly before the Edinburgh Church. Everywhere Z go I am now giving an account of thij trouble. This must be done to circumvent the mischief that they are already working. They are working on quite a campaign, and this we must frustrate. Shearn is spreading the report that I have interfered with his success in the Military matter. As to whether I will have appointments after Edinburgh or not will depend on what develops. Keep yoar eyes open, please, for sore spots. These are the places to which I wish to go.
“Thanks for information about Sister Annie, and the adoption. I understand your letter to mean tha.t I wont even have to go to Court to have it settled—that our agreement before the Bethel family made it binding and legal; am glad.
“Re food: I wish, dear Brother, that you would follow mv suggestion on this line. I am speaking very advisedly when I say it is imperative that staple articles be gotten and stowed in s safe place, safe from men and from rats. Please let them be bouaht at different places. I would suggest, the making of a false ceiling as a receptacle, and. let it be lined throughout with tin, as a safeguard from rats. Wheat is the special thing needed, and monkey nuts. The famine will be very sore shortly, and the prices very heavy. You will notice Elisha calls attention to the famine, and that is what I have in mind. You will remember that I told you when I came at first, that there would be this condition shortly, and now I know it is at the very doors.and therefore suggest chat it be done immediately,' for the good of the family. I have a way of answering questions that would be perfectly right, and will secure the food. Will tell you about this when I see you.
“Re Brother Shearn's furniture: I think you did very well on what you have bought However, the balance of his furniture must leave the house as soon as possible. W* will wait for indications and so, for the present, will let the furniture stand as it is.
COMMISSIONERS INTERVIEWED BY BROTHER JOHNSON
'Thank you for the Manchester matter. I have it under advisement; also Brother Smedley. I am going to dictate a form letter to all of the eight brethren who furnished me names, asking them to come to Bethel for a Conference with me, March 3rd at 2 p. m. I am going to lay the whole position before them. Brother Rutherford has af~ pointed four of these eight ax a Committee to investigate; Brother Housden is the fifth member of the Committee.
“I trust Sister Cormack has returned, and thank you for what you have done re Elders and Deacons. Re Brother Cormack: Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will do as you suggest; we must put an end to grasping for power on the part of everybody concerned. I will write him today on this line, sending the letter to the office. ,
“Re the six Elders elected who signed the Resolution: You will notice in Esther that on the 1st day that the Jews stood for their lives, which, I understand, would refer to last Sunday, the ten sons of Haman are spoken of simply as slain and that in the 2nd day they were hanged up. This 2nd day I understand, will be March 4th. At that time, since they are the sons of Haman, the Aga-gite (an Agagite represents a sinfully ambitious person), I am sure that everyone of those brothers were ambitious, and their ambition moved them, along with other things, to sign that Resolution, and I will therefore, after proving this point recommend their dismissal. This process will be their
har.jinf. Fint, however, we will eettle the matter with Shearn and Crawford, but the whole thing will be settled March 4th and after that there will be joy and rejoicing on the part of the faithful and many new ones will come into the Truth to take the places of others. I increasingly fear that Brother Cormack is the ion-in-law of Sanballit. and what you write me only atrengthens that fear. If .that prove* to be true I will'chase him from me.*
**Thanks for the cablegram from Brother Rutherford. He Is undoubtedly the victim of a cablegram campaign, engineered by Shearn and Crawford. This morning I sent Brother Rutherford a long cablegram tdling him that I was antityping Ezra,. Nehemiah, Mordecai, and that on the 38th of January, after hanging up Brother Shearn on the scaffold that he had prepared for me, I was af pointed by the Lord according to Esther 8: 2. IS, the Steward referred to in Matt. 20: 8. I asked him to be my right hand man. I expressed astonishment at his cablegram, and inquired whether he had not received my letters of Jan. 3ad, 11th and 31st; told turn that Haman represented Shearn In Esther, and Tobiah represents him in Hcb, while Crawford was represented by Sanballat, and Geshem. represented Guard Sent. I trust this will change hi* attitude, for he is evidently becoming exated. I told him I could not keep hands off. Now, my beloved Brother Hemery I will be responsible for everything. I think you see enough to see what the Lord has been, and is, doing for me. I believe that you consider that my deductions from these Books are correct Everything that unfold* from them makes it all the clearer to my mind, that the Lord has given me the proper light on the books, I did not mention in my cablegram to Brother R-, and that again by forgetting, that the congregation unanimously voted confidence In me. and approval of what I have been doing for them against Shearn and Crawford. Seemingly the Lord permitted this forgetting again in order that you. as Chairman and Brother Seeck, as Secretary, might convey the news. We have been somewhat too inactive. with cablegrams and have allowed the other side to keep the wires hot However, the Lord is on our side against all them that rise up against us. I notice from Tax Town, that Brother Rutherford is in Santa Barbara, on the 25th. I trust my cablegram reaches him. I think the Lord is going to let him mix things up quite thoroughly, un/iZ Hr shows him who has been His choice as Brother Russell's juccvuor, Brother Rutherford wrote me that the Executive Committee is not in existence any longer. I am wondering how this is. Seemingly from this, he is acting wholly alone as the authority. It may be alt right, but I do not understand it I think Brother Rutherford will come to see the position properly in a very short time. My cablegram this morning ought to open his eyes.
"Re the Elders and Deacons: I had better see the Elder* and Deacons together for part of the time, and then the Elders alone the rest of the evening. What do you think of Brother Dingle as an Elder and speaker in the Tabernacle? Please let me have your opinion. Have you any other recommendations? According to Neh. there will be twelve Elders in that congregation, and not eighteen. Notice the passage that speaks of Ezra arising with six priests on each side. This is at the water gate, which I understand to refer to the Elders. One after another of these gates are becoming clear to my mind. I have nearly al! of them now, and will have them all, I believe, in due time.
“Am not at all well. My brain is quite weary, and the Lord, seemingly in compassion for me, has arranged but one meeting a day for me until this trip is finished. Annie is a great help to me, I am sure that the Lord has given her tp me to give me much needed relief. If this relief would not have been forthcoming, I am satisfied I would have had a repetition of my 1910 breakdown, but the Lord will sustain me to finish the work that he ha, given me to do.
"I .end the family, the associate managers, your wife and your.elf, much Christian love. The Lord bleu and keep thee.
"Your brother and servant,
"P. S. L Johnson."
SUIT INSTITUTED WITHOUT AUTHORITY When Brother Johnson was unable to Influence the Commissioner, he remained quiet for a day or two, and then suddenly it occurred to him to deny that I had been elected President of the Watch Town Butz and Tract Society. He began to cable Brother Ritchie; and write him letters, and then proceeded to forcibly take possession of the mails and money in the London office, and employed a lawyer and instituted a suit in the High Court of London in the name of the Watch Tower Biots and Taxer Socxzir and against Brothers Crawford, Hemery and Shearn, and the bank where the Society*, money is kept, and tied up ail the funds of the Society. Brother Hemery thereupon cabled me as follows:
“Johnson applying court Friday next for injunction restraining bank. Cable us instructions immediately."
I immediately eabfed Brother Heinen* to oppose injunction and in reply received from him the following cablegram:
“Am consulting Greenop. Please cable him direct to oppose injunction and take necessary steps, restraining Johnson's interference as not representing Society any capacity."
Thereupon I cabled Mr. Greenop, London solicitor for the Society, as follows:
“Resist Johnson's injunction. Does not represent Society. Restrain him."
On -March »4th Brother Hemery cabled me:
"Johnson business frazzled. Situation normal. Most money received. Deposits safe. Johnson's supporters repented. He left Bethel suddenly by upper room window."
On the same day Brother Hemery wrote me in detail a letter, of Which the following is a copy:
LETTER FROM OUR LONDON MANAGER “24 March. 19IT.
"Mv Dias Bacmza RuTHraroan —
“At last I am able to write to you with some measure of satisfaction with reference to this sad business which has been the subject of so many cablegrams exchanged between yourself and us in
London. . . .
'The immediate situation is this, as my telegram would indicate. Johnson’s rebellion, and his attempt to seize the whole of the British work, and its funds in bank deposits, has failed, though the matter of the injunction is not yet out of the High Court be-cause of the question of costs. Judge Peterson adjourned the hearing of the Motion until next Friday. But the case will not again come into the Court. On receipt of your cablegram of the 10th, in which you instructed me to take full possession, I, knowing something of Johnson's mind, immediately got in touch with the bank to safeguard the deposit of £800. I was none too soon: he was there immediately after me. endeavoring to use his tetters from head office to gain control of the money. We fought for it At last he issued an injunction through the High Court for a claim on the money, and against the bank for withholding it. The writ was returnable yesterday. However, when the case came before the judge yesterday, Johnson's counsel said, after reading my affidavit, that be did not propose to proceed with his motion: but we here, trying to protect ourselves, had made a little slip, and thus gave them a chance to haggle over the costs for the action, and this is al! that remains to be settled as far as the motion is concerned. This will Me1?J?hL‘hcfcbank ‘J.CQUn,t •‘“dz in the names of Brothers Shearn, Crawford and my own, and this
arrangement will suit very well until any further readjustment needs to be made according to whatever you may decide to do.
"Now I must tell you how the immediate events developed. After your telegram giving cancellation of all Johnson's activities, he was quiet for twenty-four hours or so, then suddenly blossomed out with the statement that the election of the President of the Society was absolutely out of order. He asserted his right to sit at the head of the table In the Bethel family, and in order to make sure of his right, he went and sat in the Chair before the family assembled. I refused to acknowledge him as having the right
• to represent you, and Baid to the family that this was open rebellion. I called upon them to give no adherence to the rebellion against yocr authority ns representing the Society. To my surprise most of the brethren stayed with Johnson, and they continued to handle the work. That morning Johnson raved at me for a couple of hours and dismissed me half a dozen times or more. His insistence, and his mouthing, made some of the brethren think that he war the person in authority, and they had, unfortunately, listened to his claim of being the antitype of many Scripture characters and, as they now say— for they have repented—they seemed to have lost their reasoning faculties. It was “about the middle of the week when I began to discern the true inwardness of the situation, that Johnson was not merely intending to take control of the office in the meantime, but that he had an ulterior purpose in mind: gaining fkr whole control of the British field, of its resources, and running a separate Watch Town. Looking back I can see many things which show the working of his mind, but which he carefully hid. I tried to rally the family, but three brothers staved by him. enabling him to carry on the execution of of the orders, while Brother Connack preferred, as he said, to be neutral, though his neutrality gave him a good deal of intercourses with Johnson and none with me I demanded of them a statement of the monies received and expended, but was refused this. In the meantime I was in constant communication with cur solicitors, Messrs. Greenop, doing everything to safeguard the financial side of our work, and felt quite assured that, though we might have some present difficulties, the sum could never be handled oy Johnson. Brothers Sheam and Crawford, as members of the Council of I. B. S. A. and as associates in the work, were called in. ...
"Last Saturday I called together in the city a few of the Elders and Deacons of the London Church, and told them the situation. They immediately began to take steps to relieve the situation, and from Sunday night last, we have had someone in the house all the time A plan we had for the beginning of the seizing of the mails on Monday morning, failed through an act of treachery, but we began on Tuesday morning, and since then every letter delivered has come through my eare Johnson was furious. He, and Brother Hoosden with him. spent much time in meditating over the situation. I asked again for the money and statement, believing that the money was safe in the safe. As refusal was made, it seemed necessary to take some more stringent measures, for we had found it impossible to do anything in the way of arresting Johnson for lunacy.
SOCIETY S FUNDS TAKEN FROM SAFE
"So on Wednesday both Brothers Johnson and Housden having gone to bed rather early, Johnson’s door was held while Brother Cronk, one of our Elders, and I went up to Housden's room and demanded the keys. Two helpers were nearby, and on Housden's refusal to hand them over, they were taken out of his pocket, though without any violence, for he made no resistance. On going down to the safe, I found the money gone. They had scooped a deposit of £50 in gold which we had by us. about £<0 which had been given to the relief of the Military situation, and which was neither the Society's, nor the Church's money, and a good sum of about 4150 besides, the takings during the days when they held the maxL Besides this sum there was a cheque of £350, a donation, and which I believe we shall vet save to ourselves, though at the moment there is a ‘ little doubt Housden refused to say where the money was, and we had to talk to him pretty plainly. He promised however, that he would not aid Johnson any more. We had spoken to him about the possibility of the police coming in. I should here tell you that the day before. Brother Dingel, who had his head twisted with Johnson's talk, saw the folly of the situation, end apologized and repudiated Johnson's position. He, feeling some responsibility, had gone up to Brother Housden’s room to plead with him. The window-blind was up. Brother Dingle switched on the electric light, and got so busy talking with Housden, that neither of them noticed that they were breaking the lighting regulations. About 11 JO p. m. the door bell rang, and I went down to see what was the matter. A constable was at the door wanting an explanation of this violation of the very stringent London lighting regulations. He insisted upon seeing those who were responsible, and I had to take him upstairs. You can imagine the situation I Here was a constable appearing at the bedroom door immediately after our talk about the constable coming. However, that matter was soon over, and the constable went away, knowing nothing, of course, of our conversation.
LEAVES BETHEL THROUGH UPPER WINDOW
"About 6 o'clock in the morning Brother Johnson's foot began pounding on the door, end he had not a great difficulty in driving away the bit of wood that had been wedged against it to keep him within bounds. It had been his habit of late to go wandering about the house between two and four in the morning, evidently seeing if his possessions were safe, for he is a very suspicious character. Brother Cronk, who was sleeping in along with another brother, spoke to Johnson, told him he could go into the bathroom if he wanted, but he must remember that he could not have things his own way, and that a constable had been up to see Brother Housden the night before. Of course this was a bit ot bluff to help to keep Johnson within bounds. He went up to Housden's room, and when he found that Brother Housden would not come out to him, he began to think there was something wrong with 34, Craven Terrace. Instead of going into the bathroom, he hastily dressed himself, left his baggage open, got out on the balcony, and then the milk deliverers saw the ludicrous sight of a man in a tall hat and frock coat and, as they said, with goloshes only, letting himself down from the balcony into the street. It the matter were not so serious, the ludicrous side comes on this, because it was only the fear for his skin, impelled by an evil conscience, that made him do this foolish thing. The front door was loose, he could have walked down and walked out We wondered what had become of him, but one or two strange telephone messages through the day assured us that be was standing by the speaker endeavoring to get some knowledge of his friend, Brother Hous-den. He turned up at the Court yesterday, and saw his failurq written large across the happenings at the Court Afterwards he said he was willing to go back to America, and Brother Housden expressed his readiness tq go also, putting it as if he thought he should go to take care of Johnson, but, as I believe, with the fear in his heart that this embezzlement of the money might bring serious consequences (o him.
"During the day Brother Housden delivered to Brother Gentle, who had had some talk with him. a package of money containing about £220 in gold, treasury notes and other paper, but here seemed a little trickery, because he has said he was willing to deliver up the money to me, for Brother Gentle 'phoned to say that the money bad been placed in his care, but he was to hold it until be had a note from Johnson’s solicitors giving him liberty to hand it over. I immedately reminded Brother Gentle of his danger in handling what was practically stolen property* *°d of what he himself has said to Brother
Housdea on this milter. He had no difficulty In coming to * dcciiioa, and I got the money, £217, lait night They have paid out £40 to their solicitor to meet preliminary expenses, but we are asking for a full statement of receipts and expenditures, but whether we shall get it or not we do not know. The cheque for £330, which Brother Housdcn had said was in the package, was not there—I had the money counted over m _ Brother Gentle*! presence.
I am at 'the moment wilting for news respecting 'this cheque, and may be able to report something before this letter is despatched.
(Later.—Cheque was returned to drawer, and is safe from Brother Johnson's hands.)
**The costs in this case must be heavy, for Johnson had to employ not only Solicitor!, but Counsel. The writ was served on the Bank as well as ui, and they employed their Solicitor and Counsel, and it was necessary that we should do the same. The law is that a solicitor who enters Into in action of this kind becomes personally responsible for costs If. this case fails. I should judge from the look of the Solicitor which they employed, that he has not much money, hence his desire to get £40 to go on with. It may be that they have paid him more, but I know of no payment beyond this. Our Solicitors, Messrs. Green-op, are intending to push this matter somewhat as a lesion to Brother Johnson*! solicitor, and, of course, in our own interests. Johnson has made an awful mess of this business, for the Rank’s position is that the account is really not the Watch Town account bat was under the control of the original signatories. The question of the validity of his letters of accreditation did not arise, for the simple reason that my affidavit killed the business. Had this question of validity been raised at all, probably they would have been rejected because not notarily signed before the British Consul in New'York. It is not at all likely that we shall have any further trouble with these letters, bat for safety’s sake it Is to be hoped that the cancellation papers have the British Consul’s signature on them, and you might note this for any future use of such papers.
",Johnson speaks of being willing to return to America, but what his movements will be remain to be seen. He is foiled in all his efforts, and there is nothing more ludicrous in the whole business, and which may be said to be a proper ending to all his abnormal claims, that this Plenipotentiary— a word which he has used a hundred times of late— charged with full powers of authority, who for fear of his skin and with a coward's heart and an uneasy conscience getting over the rails outside hif bedroom window with his tall hat escaping from no danger but that which was created by his imagination.
A CASE FULL OF LESSONS
"We received him as a good brother, accepting him at bis own estimation of himself, and now have to admit that we were imposed upon, and to say that he has been here as an imposter. But in saying this. I would nor at all have you think that his life and work here have been that of a hypocrite. The whole case is a strange one. and has been full of lessons to us—the ways of working of Divine Providence. From the moment that Brother Johnson got off the steamer St. Louis at Liverpool, he ceased not to talk about himself. It was not easy to measure him, for, being an unusual man, and the' circumstances being unusual, it seemed better to wait until we could Know more of him. For a while he seemed to act very cautiously and wisely, but meeting a little opposition. as he thought, and which perhaps was actually present, he developed a severe aide of character. From a time when he thought he found some opposition in Brother Shearn and Crawford, and he had asserted authority, he visibly swelled in importance. As I have previously told you, I believe that the work he did here, though done in so rough a fashion, was according to the
Lord's providence, and I say this after much time for reflection, and even though I am so nearly related to the affairs. But the unusual situation in which Brother Johnson found himself, allowed his mind to develop very rapidly some things which had been there for sue or seven years. From time to time he had told me of thoughts in his mind, and of some of the happenings during hit nervous breakdown in 1910. (You will perhaps remember that when I wu with you in the United States in 1910 Brother Johnson was then sick, and I did not see him.) From what he has said, I have no doubt that he has seen himself in his Imagination as successor to Brother RusselL The voices which he heard in 1910 have left their impression upon him. Coming over here he seems to have thought that his work was antityped by Ezra's commission to help the spiritual work of Jerusalem. His smashing blow against Brothers Shearn and Crawford at once made apparent a reconstructive work. It was easy then for him to think of Nehemiah and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He seems to have ipent almost every moment of available time in watching his work, and before he left us the other day, he had found twenty-five to thirty instances where, from point to point in what had been done or said to a brother until something else was said, fifty-two days had elapsed. It is surely true, as I told him, that there was some sort of connection between Nehemiah and himself, not only that both of them ■were Jews, but Nehemiah's way of tearing the hair of his opponents, and in telling the Lord that he should be remembered in all the work he had done. After seeing himself In Ezra and Nehemiah as, first his Pilgrim work, secondly his commissioners work, he began to hint that he had seen a possible further work, and that this was typified in Esther. He did not say what It was, but at last hinted that he thought may be he would be JTlrward.
CLAIMED TO BE ’STEWARD'
“Going down to Liverpool, he lost such reserve as a Plenipotentiary ought to have, and he proclaimed himself openly as Iha "Steward of the Parable* I heard of his cable to you; and of what he had said, and I immediately, as I informed you, took a stand- in opposition to his claims. From that time his hidden scheme got a shock, for he saw that he would have little hope of making great progress here as a leader if I -were not with him. He tried to coax, cajole, and to some extent by flattery, but on my refusal to compromise one little bit, he came in open opposition. I cannot say that Brother Johnson is insane, but there is a sort of madness of pride that is in his heart. That he lacks balance is clear, for he would not have sent such telegrams had his mind been in proper balance. He has played for high stakes, and there seemed to his mind two weeks ago, a chance of winning his game. Now he is a pricked bubble. I regret to have to say that 1 have no confidence in him whatever. He has such cunning which is not insanity, and he is so capable of attending to his affairs, that I gee no other conclusion but to say that he has been attempting a great imposture upon those whom he hoped would be with him, and by whom he hoped to continue his scheme.
’'There has been no greater surprise to me in all this strange business that certain members of our family should cast in their lot with him. I mentioned the name of Brother Cormack in my cablegram tO' you. He has, to my mind, taken an ignoble part in this sad business. Instead of taking the only stand that could be taken by one who was loyal to the work, for some reason or other as between himself and the Lord he said he preferred to wait until Brother Johnson’s cancellation papers should be here. In other words he ignored your telegrams and the telegrams which were sent over the signature of the Watch Town Society. Brothers Dingle and Guiver
who pvt me great disappointment by their ac-lion, have come to see the foolishness at their way in aiding Brother Johnson, and have expreMed deep and, as I believe, sincere apologies. Brother and Sister Cormack are the only ones In the house who are waiting tor the cancellation of Johnson's papers, for Johnson is, of course, out of the house, and Brother Housden has gone home. I believe that if Brother Cormack, whose long association with the work should have given him a more decisive character, had taken the only stand that could properly be taken, that neither Brothers Dingle nor Guiver would have been so led astray by Johnson's words, and—I rather think—promises. I do not know what to say about Brother Cormack. The situation here under the National Service Scheme is that no one can take on a new employee unless by special permission. I do not feel it right that Brother Cormack should stay longer in the home, and I am doubtful about bis staying on in the Pilgrim service. I do not feel that I can commend him to your favorable consideration, but I am glad to think that you know him^and know of his long service in the cause of the Truth, and also to believe that the Lord will guide you as to what you may decide In his case. In respect to Brothers Dingle end Guiver, I feel that their repentance is so sincere that I would suggest they be allowed to continue In the work in each way as may seem good here. Brother Guiver so far has been saved from the operation of the Military Service Act, because of an endeavor we made to save some of our helpers. If his work here is discontinued, he immediately comes under the claims of the Military. Brother Dingle is beyond age, and we would be thrown under the National Service scheme aforementioned. But I believe their hearts ere now right, though their standing in the Church will surely be affected. As for Brother Housden, I do not know yet where he stands. He has returned the money, but I believe it is more for fear of what he has done than belief in the fallacy of Brother Johnson's claims. I want to keep in touch with him to save him, if this is possible. In the meantime we are now quite capable of going on with our work as In normal times. Brother Kirkwood can do the general office work—-the execution of orders, etc., and he is a very useful brother. We have good stenographic help, and indeed, have no difficulties in the work.
“As I wish that you should have the foregoing as soon as possible, this portion of my letter is now mailed. The second portion shall be sent shortly. In it I shall hope to give you my thought of the relation of this matter to the general work in the country, and an account of the Church in London, end. I hope, information of Brother Johnson's return.
"In the meantime, with warm love in the Lord, and prayers that the Lord will guide you in all your way, I am, dear Brother Rutherford.
"Your brother and servant in Him.
“J. HxUDtY."
BROTHER JOHNSON LEAVES ENGLAND
Brother Johnson, as seen from the above, left the London Bethel and his whereabouts were unknown, until on April sth when the following cablegram was received from Brother Hemery, dated London:
"Discovered Johnson sailed (Steamship) St. Louis Saturday."
Learning thus that Brother Johnson was on his way to America, it was arranged that brethren should meet him at the dock and bring him to Bethel. I had been personally requested by -his wife to keep him here until he recovered. When he appeared in the Bethel Home, to all intents and purposes he was sane upon every point fferpt himjtlf. He asked me if he might have a hearing before the Board. I called the members of the Board to the Study, and several other brethren, and we listened to Brother Johnson for two hours. I presented to him a copy of the cablegram which he had sent me wherein he claimed to be the "Steward" of Matt. 20:8. and asked him if he sent it After much effort he finally acknowledged that he did.
On another occasion the Board and other brethren sat and listened to Brother Johnson for two hours describing how the Scriptures foreshadowed his experience in England, and his activities there. It was the unanimous consent of all present that Brother Johnson was of unsound mind. I then stated to him, in the presence ot the others, in substance: Brother Johnson, for the purpose of this matter we will concede that you thought you had authority to do what you did io Great Britain, and that you were acting honestly. ‘Let us drop the matter now and not think of it any more. We all shook hands kindly, and he went to his room. He continued in the Bethel home uninterrupted for two months, except on one occasion he announced at the table that he is the "Steward" mentioned in Matt. 20:8, but in a few days thereafter withdrew the statement Our hope was that he was recovering, and we rejoiced.
THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE IN AMERICA
"However, some time near the latter part of June he approached me Ln the dining room and said, "I fed able now to go back to England and take up my work there." I replied, “Brother Johnson, you are not going back to England: you have no work there." He insisted that he should go, but I told him that he could not go. He left me then, with the statement that he would appeal to the Board. (On July 21, 1917, Brother Johnson admitted to me that his appealing to the Board is at the bottom of the trouble with Brothers Ritchie, Hirsh, Wright and Hoskins.) In about two days be came back and insisted that I call a meeting'of the Board of Directors; that he might appear before them. I declined to do so, saying to him that the matter was entirely closed; the Society would not send him back to England, and the best thing for him to do would be to remain quiet When I firmly refused to call the Board he became agitated and said: "You are a usurper and I wilt appeal to the Board and I will eee that I have a hearing"; or words to that effect The next morning he approached me in the dining room and handed me a paper, of which the following is a copy:
"Brooklyn, N. Y., June 18, 1917. “Dcai Bbothoi Rurnnroiu):—
"We, the undersigned members of the Board of the W. T. B. « T. S. herewith kindly request that you call a meeting of this Board to hear Brother Johnson on his activities in Great Britain and to examine the facts of the case. We will be glad to have you call this meeting at as early a date as possible.
"Praying the Lord's blessing on our deliberations on this matter to the end that it may be to the Lord's glory and the good of the cause we all love, we remain with much love,
"Your Brethren and Servants in the Lord.
"Isaac F. Hoskins, "A. I. Rrrcaiz, "R. H. Hiass,
, "J. D. Whig hi.”
This paper had been written by Brother Johnson himself, and he had taken it to Brothers Hoskins, Ritchie, Hirsh and Wright, and had them to sign it, asking me to call a meeting of the Board, when two ot these brethren sat at the same table with me at every meal, and one just immediately to my left, and all four of them in the dining room regularly and could easily have spoken to me direct about the meeting. They had not mentioned this matter of a meeting to Brother Van Amburgh, who is also a member of the Board. It seemed rather a strange thing that they should lake this procedure, so I called them into the drawing room for a conversation about the matter. These four brethren insisted that J should call a meeting of the Board of Directors to hear Brother Johnson. I finally told them that the matter had already been closed; that it was not a matter for the Board now to take up; st was folly to think about sending Brother Johnson back to England; that he should not go; and that I would not permit him to force a meeting of the
Board in the way that he wu proceeding; but I asked the four brethren named to have an interview with him and go over the facta if they desired and report the same at a meet* ing of the Board. I thereupon delivered to them the com* miss ion era report. and thy findings upon the report, and other documents bearing upon the case.
COMMISSIONERS EXPRESS VIEWS
The following letters from Brothers MacKenzie, McCloy and Warden, three of the Commissioners who examined into the London affair, also letters from other representative British brethren, show bow Brother Johnson would be received in Great Britain now:
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