The History of Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses
History and Practices The Jehovah’s Witnesses were organized by Charles Taze Russell in the 1880’s. The group grew out of the Bible Student movement and the publishing company that Russell founded in the late 1870’s. In 1879, Russell launched the magazine Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. The group continued its preaching making converts and publishing its magazine as its membership grew and infiltrated surrounding states. By 1880, there were numerous congregations throughout the United States. In 1881, the Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society was launched. The group incorporated in 1884, named Russell as president, and later changed the name to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Those who followed the teachings at this time were known as Bible Students. In 1890, the society published its first hymn book, which was a collection of 300 hymns and numerous poems entitled, Poems and Hymns of the Millennial Dawn. The group saw great growth during the early 1900’s. By 1909, the group was known internationally, and its headquarters were moved to Brooklyn, New York. Sermons were being printed in four languages in 3000 newspapers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe by 1913. The group was gaining popularity as they quickly approached Russell’s prediction that the anointed would be called to heaven in 1914. This date came and went, and Russell changed his prediction citing a mathematical error in his calculations, but the second date was missed as well. Russell died shortly thereafter in 1916 while on a speaking tour. 1916 saw big changes with the appointment of Russell’s successor, Joseph Franklin Rutherford to lead the group. Rutherford made significant changes in the organization’s staff and to some of its doctrines, which led to some of the followers splitting off from the movement to form their own groups. Another significant occurrence in 1916 was the persecution of followers for their pacifism towards the
History and Practices The Jehovah’s Witnesses were organized by Charles Taze Russell in the 1880’s. The group grew out of the Bible Student movement and the publishing company that Russell founded in the late 1870’s. In 1879, Russell launched the magazine Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. The group continued its preaching making converts and publishing its magazine as its membership grew and infiltrated surrounding states. By 1880, there were numerous congregations throughout the United States. In 1881, the Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society was launched. The group incorporated in 1884, named Russell as president, and later changed the name to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Those who followed the teachings at this time were known as Bible Students. In 1890, the society published its first hymn book, which was a collection of 300 hymns and numerous poems entitled, Poems and Hymns of the Millennial Dawn. The group saw great growth during the early 1900’s. By 1909, the group was known internationally, and its headquarters were moved to Brooklyn, New York. Sermons were being printed in four languages in 3000 newspapers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe by 1913. The group was gaining popularity as they quickly approached Russell’s prediction that the anointed would be called to heaven in 1914. This date came and went, and Russell changed his prediction citing a mathematical error in his calculations, but the second date was missed as well. Russell died shortly thereafter in 1916 while on a speaking tour. 1916 saw big changes with the appointment of Russell’s successor, Joseph Franklin Rutherford to lead the group. Rutherford made significant changes in the organization’s staff and to some of its doctrines, which led to some of the followers splitting off from the movement to form their own groups. Another significant occurrence in 1916 was the persecution of followers for their pacifism towards the