Why I reject the "helping hand" of Millennial dawn

Contents

I. The Professed "Helping Hand" 7

n. "Light Now First Due" 13

HI. The Russellized Bible 19

Foreword To Revised Edition

A former, relatively small, edition of this book, which was published four years ago by the Christian Alliance Publishing Co., of New York City, from a series of articles which the author had furnished to the Christian Alliance Weekly at the urgent request of its beloved Editor, A. B. Simpson, suffered the misfortune of having the plates lost. Advantage, however, results from the necessity of preparing an entirely new edition, in the way of opportunity to revise the book and to secure the most helpful testimonial of R. A. Torrey, the Dean of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Cal., which will be found on a later page.

Furthermore, it is most timely and appropriate that from San Francisco during the Exposition, just where and when the Millennial Dawn forces, posing under the screen of "The International Bible Students' Association," are concentrating their supreme efforts, such a treatise as the present volume should be promptly issued and widely circulated. The syndicated sermons of their leader, "Pastor" C. T. Russell, are being published in about fifteen hundred newspapers of this and other lands, and in four languages ; and daily at the present writing a two-column sermon, paid for at advertising rates, is appearing, with a cut of Mr. Russell, in each of the great journals of San Francisco. (Two great metropolitan dailies, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Herald, have recently published their refusal to give any further publicity to "Pastor" Russell's discourses — not even at advertising rates. This was due to a thorough investigation into Mr. Russell's record and methods and an exposure thereof in a series of articles, similar to the exposure of his business record which the Brooklyn Eagle made several years ago.) This extreme activity, begrudging no expense, is in evidence, notwithstanding the long-standing prediction of Mr. Russell that "some time before the end of 1914 the last member of the divinely recognized Church of Christ, the 'royal priesthood,' the 'body of Christ,' will be glorified with the Head." The following chapters will show that by this "divinely recognized Church" is meant only such as follow Mr. Russell's "Hght." It is reported that but few Dawnites departed this life last year. Consequently, either Mr. Russell has proved to be a false prophet or few Dawnites, himself not excepted, have proved worthy of being "glorified with the Head."

While the author professes to ofifer nothing in this work attractive in subject or edifying in matter — so repulsive is the real essence of Millennial Dawnism — yet he is strongly impressed that every true-hearted gospel representative, especially the ministry, should gain the thorough acquaintance with the doctrine and philosophy of this apostate system which this volume alone affords ; unless one prefers to undertake the same severe task of an exhaustive first-hand investigation of a voluminous, ill-written, involved, illogical mass of literature, embracing many extensive volumes, the files of the Watch Tozver covering many years, besides tracts, sermons, etc. Mere denunciation of Millennial Dawn, borrowed from however high authority, without preparation to show forth adequately the grounds for such denunciation, will still leave Satan free to steal away from saving truth the minds and hearts of thousands of unguarded souls. Even from among Dawnites themselves "Wake Up !" messages have for some time come forth expressing "fear for the consequences of" Mr. Russell's "tampering with the Word of God." It is the author's prayer that this volume may be extensively circulated and used to "wake up" gospel shepherds to a vigilant guarding of their flocks and many private readers to an intelligent rejection of what deceitfully offers itself to them as a "helping hand to Bible study."

In order still more widely to disseminate warning against this destructive heresy, Chapter XIII of the volume, which is a summary exhibit of the findings of the previous chapters, is printed in a separate tract. It can not answer instead of the entire volume, but it will greatly aid in extending the effect of the book.

W. C. Stevens.

Oakland, Cal., March 29, 1915.

PREFATORY TESTIMONIAL

I have read with considerable care WHY I RE- JECT THE "HELPING HAND" OF MILLEN- NIAL DAWN by W. C. Stevens. I consider it, taking it all in all, as the most satisfactory reply to Pastor Russell and his vagaries that there is to put into the hand of the every-day Christian who has been at all troubled by the false teaching of Pastor Russell.

Sincerely yours,

R. A. TORREY,

Dean of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. Los Angeles, Cal., IMarch 24, 1915.

Chapter I. THE PROFESSED "HELPING HAND."

A VOLUMINOUS body of literature has appeared during the last twenty-five years which, through the phraseology used by its author, C. T. Russell, has long been known as "Millennial Dawn" teaching. This expression is employed because these writings revolve about the coming millennial age. This literature has recently come to be issued anonymously by the "International Bible Students' Association," of Brooklyn, N. Y. The main contents of these writings are being published in a set of seven volumes entitled "Studies in the Scriptures." They have separate titles, but are all prominently designated as "A Helping Hand for Bible Students."

The present writer became, for all practical purposes, sufficiently familiar with this Hterature in its early days, as it was deluging the Pacific Coast. He detected its peculiar beguiling influence, especially upon Christians of "itching ears." For the sake of guarding some such that were under his pastoral care, he read enough of the publications to qualify himself, with full and intelligent reason, to reject it all and warn the unwary and deluded ones. He has had opportunity to watch the progress of this flood of false doctrine over the land. In no instance has it failed to appear to the writer that the spiritual effect of this system of doctrine upon the credulous reader is deplorable. It is, therefore, with readiness that he adds an unpretentious contribution to writings already given out against this heresy.

It is not proposed to enter into controversy with doctrines so repugnant in their very nature and bold expression that one's act would be tantamount to taking a dog by the ears. It is proposed merely to tell why a series of books, which comes to one almost as a gift in price and in profession as "a helping hand" to Bible study, is rejected. Rejected, not from indifference to the Bible and its study or to the practical benefits to be derived only from constant and deep study of all Scriptures; rejected, not merely as an offer not "making good" its proffer; but rejected as a hand that defiles the pure waters of truth with filth and poison.

One is the more urged to manifest by example and personal reasons his rejection of such lying doctrines after noting how widely this literature is diffused :

The copies now printed of the first six volumes successively (in the inverse order of their appearance at intervals of time) is as follows: Volume VI, entitled "The New Creation," 87,000 copies ; Volume V, entitled "The Atonement Between God and Man," 127,000 copies; Volume IV, entitled "The Day of Vengeance," 126,000 copies; Volume III, entitled "Thy Kingdom Come," 929,000 copies ; Volume II, entitled "The Time is at Hand," 945,000 copies ; Volume I, entitled "The Divine Plan of the Ages," 4,500,- 000 copies.* The first volume — the last in the list just given — an epitome of the whole system, is published in fourteen languages, and it is issued in English in pamphlet form for five cents. In attractive cloth binding these books are sold at thirty-five cents per copy.

Were this literature a true helping hand to Bible study, what untold good might the above figures imply! But, if the present writer's view of the baleful character of Mr. Russell's teachings be at all correct, we must believe that this literature is largely responsible, along with Christian Science, Higher Criticism and other heresies wearing a Scriptural pretense, for the lamentable spiritual drift of our day.

As has been said, the first volume lays the foundation of the doctrines which are more fully elaborated in the succeeding volumes. It is well, therefore, to look carefully to what is offered in this volume for our help in Bible study.

The first thing to arrest our attention is, that certain Scriptural expressions — taken in altogether preconceived senses — are used as keys with which, by a purely theoretical process, to construe the whole body

*A11 these numbers, excepting the last, are five years old.

of Scripture and to construct a "plan" which no one would ever dream of reading naturally from the Bible.

This necessitates an absolute dependence of "Bible Students" upon Mr. Russell's writings for their understanding of the Bible. Accordingly, we find in the "Watch Tower," the weekly journal of the International Association, a department of "Berean Questions in Scripture Studies," which furnishes a course of catechetical drill in regular order on each volume, chapter by chapter, page by page, paragraph by paragraph, point by point, in fullest detail. These "Berean Lessons" are to be pursued by "all w^ho would merit the only honorary degree which the Society accords, viz., Verbi Dei Minister (V.D.M.), which, translated into English, is Minister of the Divine Word."

The extent to which Mr. Russell goes in binding his followers to his own writings is shown by the following quotation of his words from his journal, "The Watch Tower," of September 15, 1910, page 298:

"If the six volumes of Scripture Studies are practically the Bible topically arranged, with Bible-proofs given, we might not improperly name the volumes — the Bible in an arranged form. That is to say, they are not merely comments on the Bible, but THEY ARE PRACTICALLY THE BIBLE ITSELF, since there is no desire to build any doctrine or thought on any individual preference or on any individual wisdom, but to present the entire matter on the lines of the Word of God. We, therefore, think it safe to follow this kind of reading, this kind of instruction, this kind of Bible study.

"Furthermore, not only do we find that people can not see the Divine Plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also, that if anyone lays the Scripture Studies aside, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after he has read them for ten years — if he then lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood the Bible for ten years, our experience shows that mithin tivo years he goes INTO DARKNESS. On the other hand, if he had merely read the Scripture Studies with their references, and had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the light at the end of two years, because he would have the light of the Scriptures."

Let this be taken in clearly. "Scripture Studies" "are practically the Bible itself." So much, for the sake of duping the credulous Bible-lover. He who "goes to the Bible alone" will within two years go "into darkness." Whereas he who reads Scripture Studies alone, without a word of the Bible directly, will remain "in the light." The only light for us, then, is the Russellised Bible. It follows that there never was light before the Bible became Russellized.

The present writer believes he is justified in rejecting a "helping hand" which would forthwith grip him in this deadly vise. As the writer "goes to the Bible alone" he is quickened and enlightened and blessed; the Word teaches, reproves, corrects and instructs him in righteousness ; it even gives him light, clear and consistent, on "the divine plan." But as to "Scripture Studies," the writer found twenty-five years ago that to read through one volume was a very disagreeable task, unaccompanied by any light, quickening or blessing. The wonder to him was that anyone at all acquainted with God and His truth, at all enlightened in the Scriptures, could fail to recoil with aversion after reading a small part of the work. And, the writer confesses, the present reading of these volumes affords no pleasure or profit, excepting that one's testimony may keep some reader of Millennial Dawn Hterature from being hoodwinked and befogged.

Chapter II. "LIGHT NOW FIRST DUE."

^Ir. Russell opens his treatise with the claim — which runs as a refrain through the whole — that the light of God's Word is perceived only as it becomes due from stage to stage in the course of time. He thereby induces the credulous reader to be prepared for any "advancing light" which may be offered by novel interpretation of the Word, however much in conflict with all previous understanding it may be. While this has a plausible side, yet it is a plea which an artful interpreter can use with an untaught reader to a ruinous effect. And the extent to which Mr. Russell carries this principle was the first thing which caused the writer to put himself on guard. Some quotations will be just to the author and will make the point under consideration clearer.

"It is the light from the Sun of Righteousness in this dawning of the Millennial Day that reveals these things as 'present truth,' now due to be appreciated by the sincere — the pure in heart" (Vol. I, p. 10). "The truth is progressive, shining more and more unto the perfect day, to those who search for it and walk in the light of it, while the various creeds of the various sects are fixed and stationary, and were made so centuries ago." Accordingly he advises "to divest our minds of all prejudice, and to remember that none can know more about the plans of God than He has revealed in His Word, and that it was given to the meek and lowly in heart; and, as such, earnestly and sincerely seeking its guidance and instruction only, we shall by its great Author be guided to an understanding of it, as it becomes due to be understood, by making use of the various helps divinely provided. As an aid to this class of students, this work is specially designed. It will be noticed that its references are to Scripture only, except where secular history may be called in to prove the fulfillment of Scripture statements. The testimony of modern theologians has been given no weight, and that of the so-called Early Fathers has been omitted. Many of them have testified in harmony with thoughts herein expressed, but we believe it to be a common failing of the present and all times for men to believe certain doctrines because others did so, in whom they had confidence. * * * Truth seekers should empty their vessels of the muddy waters of tradition and fill them at the fountain of truth — God's Word." (I, pp. 11, 12.)

*Tt is one continuous path, and the one continuous and increasing light is the Divine Record, illuminating as it becomes due" (p. 21). "There are special features of truth constantly becoming due" (p. 24). "True, we still go back to the words of the prophets and apostles for all knowledge of the present and the future ; not, however, because they always understood God's plans and purposes better than we, but because God used them as His mouthpieces to communicate to us, and to all the Church throughout the Christian Age, truth relative to His plans, as fast as it becomes due" (p. 26). Speaking of the Book of Revelation, he says: "Nor has that book ever been, until now, all that its name implies — an unfolding, a revelation. So far as the early Church was concerned, probably none understood any part of the book. Even John, w^ho saw the visions, was probably ignorant of the significance of what he saw. He was both a prophet and an apostle ; and, while as an apostle he understood and taught what was then "meat in due season," as a prophet he uttered things which would supply "meat" in seasons future for the household" (p. 27).

"The length and breadth and height and depth of the plan it (the Bible) unfolds, gloriously reflect the divine character, hitherto but dimly comprehended, but now more clearly seen in the light of the dawning Millennial Day" (p. 63). "By the light now due to the household of faith, we discern that system and order which mark the stately steppings of God through the ages past" (p. 75).

Thus we are asked to brush aside everybody prior to C. T. Russell and every doctrinal system prior to his, and even apostles themselves as expounders of God's plans, on the ground that much of darkness attaches to them all, and what of light is shed by them is included in and greatly enhanced by "Millennial Dawn." But this reasoning is, alas, a boomerang ; what applies to the past, applies to the present, and what applies to Luther, applies to C. T. Russell; he will be a past number tomorrow. We had better brush him aside at once, lest tomorrow we be found believing something behind the light then due. This very principle logically closes the door to our acceptance of Russell's teachings, because he is but a mortal man, having his little day, after which the still "advancing light" will leave this modern Lucifer in the shade. In fact, he has already so outdistanced himself in "advancing light" that his present teachings (not contained in the six volumes of "Scripture Studies"), stamp his earlier utterances on the most important doctrines of Scripture as "gross error." The writer confesses that he is contrary enough not to be induced to swallow without sharp scrutiny the doctrine of a man who pleads for its acceptance upon such reasoning.

No one would question that events prophesied in the Bible can be more vividly comprehended when fulfilled ; but prophesy is not history concealed until its fulfillment, neither is it meant to be dark until it catches the first rays of its impending enactment. It is rather described as "a light in a dark place." John's visions should be called Mystery, not Revelation, if they depend upon the disclosures of Church History for their interpretation. The Angel Gabriel said to Daniel: "O Daniel, I am now come forth to make thee skilful of understanding. * * * i am come to tell thee. * * * Consider the matter, and understand the vision" (ix. 22, 23). Daniel says "he instructed me." Jesus says : "Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see My day; and he saw it, and was glad" (John viii. 56). Surely Mr. Russell is bold to claim clearer insight into the manner of Christ's second coming than the three apostles who "were eye-witnesses of His majesty." And yet Peter declares that they, with their contemporaneous fellow-believers, had something better than that, namely, "the more sure word of prophecy" (II Peter i. 19).

But not only does Mr. Russell claim that God's explicitly predicted plans can be but meagerly understood until some indefinite "due time" for light to emerge from the passages in question, but he also claims the same honor of throwing the first important light upon Scriptures that pertain to the essentials of spiritual experience. The same "light now first due" has been reserved for him to give us in regard to the new birth, consecration, moral responsibility, the intermediate state, and all the rest that pertained as intimately to generations long past as to us now. What a pity those former generations died without this "helping hand"!

But still, is it not true that we should fill our vessels "at the fountain of truth — God's Word?" Following the introductory part of Volume I, in which the principle of advancing into the latest light that is due is developed, the author enters at large into the recommendation of the body of Scripture as the inspired Word of God and the sole revelation of His great plans. He also emphasizes the need of distinguishing the progress of the divine plans according to defined dispensations and ages. But the fatal drawback to this otherwise admirable disquisition is, that this divine revelation needs interpretation in light now first due, and no one is recommended as an interpreter but our friend, Mr. Russell. Even this were not an end to all hope, did we not find at once that almost every statement of the Book needs to be paraphrased by this sole interpreter before its light can be discerned.

Chapter III. THE RUSSELLIZED BIBLE

While brushing aside all historic statements of doctrine, in order professedly to afford us an unbiased reading of the unadulterated Word, behold, our "helping hand" forthwith assumes to put unfamiliar, artificial and binding meanings into key-words of the Scripture, and then to paraphrase the text of Scripture at pleasure according to these imported meanings. It is thus that for the first time, as it is claimed, the Scriptures are completely, systematically and harmoniously interpreted.

We may cite some illustrative instances of this method of interpretation. By importing into key-words of Scripture unsuspected meanings, the author most emphatically teaches that all the dead as well as the living will first enter upon probation for everlasting life at the opening of the Millennium. By preconceived construction of the meaning of these key-words, he professes to make this teaching plain from the whole testimony of Scripture. Every Scripture which may hitherto seem to have yielded nothing in favor of this doctrine, even Scripture which has been taken as solid proof against this doctrine, is easily made to do service in supporting it by simply paraphrasing according to the keys.

For instance : "Jesus Christ will be 'the light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,' 'in due time'" ("Watch Tower," back of front page, under "To us the Scriptures clearly Teach"). That is, Jesus Christ has not yet in any general sense been this light to men's souls, for it will not be "due time" until the Millennium, when all mankind will be resurrected to be lighted by His presence in such a way as to give them their first fair opportunity to win everlasting life. We have been accustomed to think John V. 28, 29 quite plain in meaning. It reads : "Marvel not at this ; for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth ; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life ; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." But we find that we have been taking this passage in light ahead of "due time." Mr. Russell gives us the "meat in due season" from this passage thus : "In John v. 28, 29, a precious promise for the world of a coming judgment-trial for life everlasting is, by a mistranslation, turned into a fearful imprecation. According to the Greek, they that have done evil — that have failed of divine approval — will come forth unto resurrection (raising up to perfection) by judgments, 'stripes, "discipline' '' (I, p. 147). That is, they that have done evil (and who has not?) will come forth from death to a gradual raising up under millennial light and opportunity to the original perfection of the unfallen Adam;

a progress to perfection which will be promoted by disciplinary judgments or dealings of God, until all will be qualified to exercise a decisive moral choice for themselves as to whether they will henceforth behave properly under God's law.

Enough has been given to indicate how the author paves the way for himself to take with "helping hand" "Bible students" and lead them — Whither? Is it any wonder that one hesitates to accept this hand? Indeed, is it not a wonder that any are found so unwary as to have any confidence in a hand stretched out in this fashion, even before it is known whither it will lead? But, it will suitably conclude the present chapter to quote quite freely the author's own commendation of his work to us all.

"It will be useless to attempt to harmonize the divine plan herein set forth with many previously held and supposed to be Scriptural, yet not proved so. It will be observed that the divine plan is complete and harmonious with itself in every part, and that it is in perfect harmony with the character which the Scriptures ascribe to its great Author. It is a marvelous display of wisdom, justice, love and power. It carries with it its own evidence of superhuman design, being beyond the power of human invention, and almost beyond the power of human comprehension.

"Doubtless questions will arise on various points inquiring for solution according to the plan herein presented. Careful, thoughtful Bible study will settle many of these at once; and to all we can confidently say, No question which you can raise need go without answer sufficient, fully in harmony with the views herein presented. Succeeding volumes will elaborate the various branches of this one plan, disclosing at every step that matchless harmony of which the truth alone can boast. And be it known that no other system of theology even claims, or has ever attempted, to harmonize in itself each statement of the Bible; yet nothing short of this can we claim for these views. This harmony not only with the Bible, but with the divine character and with sanctified common sense, must have arrested the attention of the conscientious reader already and filled him with awe, as well as with hope and confidence. It is marvelous indeed, yet just what we should expect of the truth, and of God's infinitely wise and beneficent plan.

"If you give diligence to the Word of God, and receive its truths into a good, honest, consecrated heart, it will beget in you such a love for God and His plan, and such a desire to tell the good tidings, to preach the Gospel, that it will become the allabsorbing theme of life thereafter: and this will not only separate you from the world and from many nominal Christians, in spirit, but it will lead to separation from such entirely. They will think you peculiar and separate you from their company, and you will be despised and counted a fool for Christ's sake; because they know not us, even as they knew not the Lord.

"Are you willing to follow on to know the Lord through evil and through good report? Are you willing to forsake all, to follow as He may lead you by His Word? — to ignore the wishes of friends, as well as your own desires? It is hoped that many of the consecrated ones who read this volume may by it be so quickened to fresh zeal and fervency of spirit, through a clearer apprehension of the divine plan, that they will be able to say, 'By the grace of God, I will follow on to know and serve the Lord, whatever be the sacrifice involved.' Like the noble Bereans (Acts xvii. ii), let such studiously set themselves to prove what has been presented in the foregoing pages. Prove it, not by the conflicting traditions and creeds of men, but by the only correct and divinely authorized standard — God's own Word. It is to facilitate such investigation that we have cited so many Scriptures" (I, pp. 347-349).

How piously plausible this reads ! But, we are to remember what Mr. Russell means by reading diligently and following at all costs the Word of God. It simply means his version of it, even to the exclusion of the Bible in any direct use, as was shown in the first chapter by his own words. And it means bondage to a trickster, who can not be relied upon to stand true to his own plausible expositions. The fact is, that our "helping hand" is found to be contradicting its own teachings of former years in most vital points. A quantity of evidence has reached the writer's hands from former prominent followers of Mr. Russell, by which this serious contradiction of teaching is exposed explicitly and in startling light. The later teaching has been appearing during the last four years in the periodical of Millennial Dawn teaching, the "Watch Tower." Very cautiously and secretly the latest issue of some of the volumes we are examining has been altered here and there to harmonize with the periodical mentioned. As one writes : "Mr. Russell has made but few changes in the books, evidently fearing to do too much at once."

As to this change in teachings, so marked that one formerly prominent as a follower writes: "Separation has occurred in practically every country on this globe because of Mr. Russell's perversions of Scripture," Mr. Russell himself, with characteristic duplicity, explains, at one time, that the old teaching "is a part of the smoke of the dark ages, which we are glad now to wipe from our eyes," and, at another time, that the new teaching is really the "elucidation" of the old.

And yet, to quote again from a competent informant from the ranks of Millennial Dawnists: "He today makes the presumptuous claim of being the 'only channel' of truth, the only one qualified and authorized to interpret God's Word. In fact, there is such a mass of evidence of his spiritual degeneracy, that the question really is as to what to select from the abundance of proof in order to show the digression." "Nevertheless, he did not and does not hesitate to consign to 'second death,' 'outer darkness,' etc., any who differ with him on any matters."

It is the opinion of the present writer, that Mr. Russell's claim that his present teachings are but the "elucidation" of the former ones, is really truer to the facts. While direct contradiction in language occurs, yet nothing new in principle is involved. Much that is now boldly asserted, which horrifies his former followers "in practically every country on this globe," was from the first seen by the present writer to be involved in the accepted teachings, and the marvel was that thousands of well-meaning people could fall into such an evident pitfall of heresy. And it is our opinion that there are yet other things "up his sleeve" to be in "due time" evolved as the only logical conclusions of the old teachings.