Posted by AF [AF] on March 31, 1999 at 14:49:34 {ohFII14TUctWYktmF7cQdaOt1gg/Zk}:
In Reply to: WTS/Freemansonry/Crowley Links posted by Malcolm on March 31, 1999 at 13:31:54:
: Does anyone know, was C.T. Russell a Freemason?
So far as I've been able to establish, Russell was not. He certainly knew something of Freemasonry, because his father for a time was a Mason, and some of the symbols he used in his books after 1912 were also used by Freemasons, but there is no direct evidence that Russell was a Freemason. A few people, including Fritz Springmeier, have published material that concludes otherwise but a careful look at the material they tout as evidence shows that they mistake similarity of symbol for connection of teachings and doctrines -- which is clearly not the case here. A very careful look at Springmeier's writings shows that he's another crackpot.
As for your other statements, Greber never had anything to do with the Watchtower Society; any connection must be limited to the fact that the WTS was in possession of Greber's various writings, including his NT, since at least as far back as the 1950s.
AF