next »

[RRD]

The quote used to allegedly prove that Russell was a member of the Free Masons Society, has to be taken out of context. The quote is from his sermon entitled "The Temple of God", delivered in California in 1913. It is online at:
http://ctr.reslight.net/cr359.html

Yes, Russell said: "I am a free and accepted Mason." Was he saying that he was a member of the Free Masons Society? Absolutely not! The context shows that he was referring to "Bible masonry", not the human organization that goes by the name of 'Free Masons". He was using using Free Masonry terminology to illustrate the Biblical building being done by God through His church. -- See: Luke 6:47,48; Romans 14:19; 1 Corinthians 3:9,10,12; 14:12,26; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Revelation 3:12.

In that same sermon, Russell, in referring to the human organization, said, "I have never been a Mason."

Indeed, in many of his other statements concerning the Free Masons Society, he displays ignorance about them.

Ronald
http://tinyurl.com/rl-masons

[hitcherman]

Well I kinda was unsettled at the first reading of the talk by Bro Russell,you said Bro Ronald:

Indeed, in many of his other statements concerning the Free Masons Society, he displays ignorance about them.


Equally, in many of Bro Russells statements he also showed a certain knowledge of how the Mason's functioned,remembering it was infact supposed to be a secret society,yet Bro Russell was very familiar with much of the terminology that they used and still do use.
On the other hand he seems to be appealing to mason's via their own understanding within their society and through the use of their own peculiar language.
I guess one should keep in mind also, that way back in 1913 their would probably not be the full and warranted mysticisim that surrounds mason's today.
With mason's still in their infancy of sorts with regard to how Satan was going to use them should also be kept in mind when reading this talk by Bro Russell.This is just my thoughts on the matter.

Christian love Jeff.

[freyd]

I agree with Hitch that it was unsettling to read about some of the allegations. First I had to find out what the masons were all about, which was no small task. And second there was the matter of the symbols used by Br Russell and if there was anything he wrote with which one could make a connection. Thirdly there's been a certain unwillingness among various brethren to openly talk about the subject, and in some cases to actually defend the masons, not to mention the use of masonic facilities by some. It has become quite clear that Br Russell never wrote anything, when looked at in context, to suggest that he ever had anything to do with masonry, but only used the cross, crown and winged disc symbols, all of which have solid Bibllical support.

[dreese]

Wouldn't it be better to distance oneself from persons who begin to take themselves and their ecclesias in a wrong direction.  A person may have come into some truths of the Scriptures but when they make a bad choice we don't need to follow them blindly. 1 Cor. 1:12+  Haven't we seen this to often in modern times within the Truth Movement, people following self promoters.

In Christ

dreese

[freyd]

In hind-sight that's a great idea. In fore-sight it takes a while to realize what you're dealing with. jw's have that problem.

[dreese]

Hi freyd,

Yes many of our jw friends do have that problem, and I would include many of our Bible Student friends who follow Charles Russell, PL Johnson or someone else within the warning of 1 Cor.1:12. Once you crown someone with a Biblical title such as >so and so messanger< or something equal you lose a great degree of objectivity about what they write. They may be fine Christians, they may have serious flaws, point being Jesus should be our focus and we should walk after one master guided by the Holy Spirit and clear teachings in Scripture.

In Christ

dreese

In hind-sight that's a great idea. In fore-sight it takes a while to realize what you're dealing with. jw's have that problem.