Posted by Rahab [Rahab] on March 29, 1999 at 01:47:09 {V/oSkQhGycTL0CAolri6MWspGnXU/RvNM}:
In the December 3, 1924 Issue of the Golden Age there were letters written inquiring about a book entitled "Angels and Women". I am going to comment very little on this, you just read this and see how it "hits" you:
"We present some letters regarding this book (a review of which recently appeared in our colums) which we feel sure will be of interest to many of our readers:
TO THE GOLDEN AGE:
"Pardon me for taking this much of your time on what may be so
simple a matter; but I was approached about going into a club to get a certain book called "Angels and Women". I made some inquiries, and was told that it was a book that a fallen angel dictated to a woman, showing a desire to come back
into harmony with God; and that Pastor Russell approved of the book. I had never heard of the book before; and as we are to shun anything akin to spiritism I should like to know positively whether the book has your approval before buying
one; so if it is not asking too much would like a reply."
Mrs W.S. D_____, Los Angeles, Cal.
TO THE GOLDEN AGE:
"With much pleasure and profit has the book "Angels and Women" been read by many Truth Friends. It
contains so much to encourage one to loyalty to God. Do you think that it would be a real service to purchase these books in quantities of ten or more copies at a time, so as to get the special #1 per copy rate, which you have so kindly
secured for us, and thus to have them on hand as Christmas and birthday presents or for other gift occasions to give to our relatives and friends, whom we may have been unable to otherwise interest in Present Truth or only slightly so?
Would not some be disposed to read a fascinating novel of this kind, who might not be able to get first interested in "THE HARP" or "STUDIES"?
Would this not be considered one way of instructing the people about matters
concerning which there is so much ignorance, and direct them to the real Bible Keys, the WATCH TOWER publications?
Should we send such orders to the Golden Age?
If not, will you kindly give us the complete address of the A.B.
Abac Company? There are many who would like to get a little more information regarding these items." An Appreciative Reader
REPLY:
"To both above letters we reply as follows:
When Pastor Russell was here, he read a
book dealing with conditions that obtained prior to the Flood. He requested some other brethren to read it. It was so much in harmony with the Bible account of the fallen angels that he regarded the book as remarkable. Under his
supervision it was revised, and later published by one who was formally his confidential associate. The new book is published under the title "Angles and Women". Scriptural citations are given. An appendix is added. Pastor Russell remarked
that at some opportune time the book, revised, should be published.
As to its being a violation of the Vow to read this book, such idea is not worthy of consideration. It would be no more wrong to read it than to read "What Say the
Scriptures about Spiritism" or "Talking with the Dead"; for both these books quote much as to what the evil spirits do. Many have derived much benefit from reading "Angels and Women" because it aids in getting a clearer vision of how Satan
overreached the angels and overreached the human race, and caused all the havoc amongst men and the angels. It helps one to a better understanding of the devil's organization.
The book is published by the A.B. Abac Company, Madison
Square, P.O. Box 101, New York City, NY
The Golden Age does not handle the publication; but all who desire it should write directly to the publisher at the above address."
I GUESS IF THE ORGANIZATION AND PASTOR RUSSELL SAID THIS BOOK WAS O.K., IT MUST OF BEEN O.K. RIGHT? OR WAS IT?
THIS WAS IN THE FOREWORD OF THE REVISED BOOK:
"A number of years ago Mrs. J.G. Smith published a novel entitled "Seola". She claims to have been impelled to write it after
listening to beautiful music. She made no pretense of a knowledge of the Bible. Yet many of her sayings are so thoroughly in accord with the correct understanding of certain scriptures that the novel is exceedingly interesting and
sometimes thrilling.
The greatest bible scholar of modern times [Pastor Russell] read this book shortly before his death. To a close personal friend he said: "This book, if revised according to the facts we now know concerning
spiritism, would be instructive and helpful...
....All students, familiar with the Bible teaching concerning spritism, will read this book with the keenest interest because it shows the method employed by Satan and the wicked angels to debauch and over throw the human race. The reviser of this book is of the opinion that the original manuscript was dictated to the woman who wrote it by one of the fallen angels who desired to return to divine favor."
IN THE BOOKS APPENDIX THERE ARE NOTES THAT REFER THE READER TO PASTOR RUSSELL'S BOOKS "STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES" AND "PHOTO-DRAMA OF CREATION"
My question is this: How could the "One True Religion" endorse, advertise and revise a book that was believed to be written by a demon?
This fact clearly shows the lack of divine guidance in the early days (when Jehovah supposedly selected them to be his only true religion) of Pastor Russell and this organizaiton. IN VIEW OF THE SCRIPTURES AND GOD'S WARNINGS ABOUT LISTENING TO DEMONS - FALLEN ANGELS AND ANGELS IN GENERAL, I highly doubt that Jehovah would have his only true religion recommending reading a book written by a fallen angel, a demon:
"But even if
we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed." Gal. 1:8
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And
no wonder! For Satan himself transorms himself into an ANGEL OF LIGHT." 2 Cor. 11:13-14
"You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons, you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of the demons."
1
Cor. 10:21
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons..,." 1 Timothy 4:1
Pastor Russell recommended a book written by demons, and then went on to claim that his interpretation of the bible was the only correct one.Was he qualified to teach the bible when he clearly lacked the insight that the scriptures taught just on this one issue? Wasn't the light bright enough on this issue (having dealings and listening to demons) already?
I find this quote quite humorous in light of the above facts:
Watchtower 2/15/18 said:
"Where a brother gives an interpretation of a Scripture which
differs from that given by Brother Russell, and Brother Russell's interpretation seems reasonable and in harmony with the plan of God, then we believe it a safe rule to follow Brother Russell's interpretation, for the reason that he is the
servant of the Church, so constituted by the Lord for the Laodicean period, and therefore we should expect the Lord to teach us through him. Where there arises a doubt in the mind as to which interpretation is correct, then it is ALWAYS
SAFER TO RESOLVE THAT DOUBT IN FAVOR OF BROTHER RUSSELL'S INTERPRETATON. We believe such to be in harmony with the Lord's will."
WAS IS SAFER TO TAKE PASTOR RUSSELL'S INTERPRETATION OF ANYTHING? THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE, THE WHOLE
FOUNDATION OF THIS ORGANIZATION WAS BUILT UPON RUSSELL AND HIS TEACHING.