General Hidden JW History

[benadam1974]

A CHURCH FOR ALL CREEDS​

Man Called a "Jelly Fish" in Wife's Suit Starts New Movement.​

(The New York Times, Feb. 1, 1909.)​

The new undenominational religious movement, which " Pastor" Charles T. Russell explained last week in an open letter to ministers and Bible students of the city, began in Brooklyn yesterday afternoon in the old Plymouth-Bethel Church at 17 Hicks Street. This is the building where Henry Ward Beecher conducted missions. Russell, who is not an ordained minister, was divorced by his wife in Allegheny, Penn., in 1906. He was characterized as “The Jelly Fish," in the suit which she brought.​

After the service Mr. Russell was asked about the divorce suit which was brought against him by his wife because he is alleged to have been caught kissing his pretty Ward, Rosa Ball, at the Russell home in Allegheny. He admitted that his wife got a divorce from him, “but I do not know why she got it," he said. "The only reason I know of is because I failed to kiss her on one occasion when I was leaving home.” In the divorce trial Mr. Russell was alleged to have said to his ward, “I am like a jelly fish. I float all around and touch this one and that, and if they respond, I embrace them."​

 

[benadam1974]

WANTS PASTOR RUSSELL.​

Washington Church Extends Call to Brooklyn Clergyman.​

(The New York Times Published: November 25, 1912.)​

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21. The Temple Congregational Church of this city today extended a call to the Rev. Charles T. Russell of Brooklyn to become its pastor. Pastor Russell began his independent ministry in Pittsburgh in 1878. Before being called to Paddington Tabernacle, London, in 1911, he had been pastor of many congregations from coast to coast, traveling upward of 30,000 miles each year in connection with his work, it is said. He is the author of a series of religious best sellers called “Studies in the Scriptures," and his Sunday sermons are said to have been published in more than 400 newspapers. Pastor Russell has often figured in print. He is said to have spent five years and much money in fighting his wife's successful suit for divorce brought in Pittsburgh. The litigation was ended when, in 1909, he paid $6,036 alimony to Mrs. Maria F. Russell. In 1911 a sale of so-called “miracle wheat," said to have possessed wonderful qualities, was held at the Brooklyn Tabernacle, the price being $60 a bushel.​

 

[Taylor_607_Made]

Oh my word...this is beautiful.....thanks for sharing!