Judge Rutherford Last Interview

[Dustparticle]

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I did my best of copy this article. Enjoy 

 

 His last interview was taken from Sunday August 10, 1941 – St. Louis Daily Globe Democrat.

 

  Joseph F. Rutherford, leader of the obedient multitude of Jehovah's Witnesses here for their national convention, began his career as a "follower of Jesus" in St. Louis 37 years ago, he disclosed to the Globe-Democrat yesterday in the first interview he has given a news-paper-man in three years.

 

"One night in 1904," he said,"I wandered into a meeting of 150 Bible students on Grand avenue and came out so impressed and delighted I returned to Boonville, Mo., where I was practicing law, and formed a Bible study group there." Six years later, in New York, he became associated with Jehovah's Witnesses as a lecturer and subsequently traveled every state in the Union and spoke in many large cities in Europe and Asia.

 

BACK IN CITY  

 

 His present five-day visit to St. Louis during the convention is the longest since "that Bible meeting, which was the turning point of my career."

 

 Although his word is absolute among the more than 500,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in United States, Judge Rutherford objects to being called their leader--"Im just a follower of Jesus like the others, fighting alongside them"--and prefers to be known only as president of the three corporations which do the Witnesses publishing. "The many thousands that have come to St. Louis have not come on my account, but only that we together might bear testimony and encourage people who have been mislead and deluded by false doctrines in order that they might see that the theocratic government is the hope and only hope of the human race." he said.

 

LAWYER 17 YEARS 

 

 "For 17 years I practiced law in the courts of Missouri, including the courts of St. Louis, state and federal. The title "judge" some people still apply to me comes from my service as special judge under the provisions of the Missouri statute. But Christian people are not interested in men, but their interest is centered in the theocratic government and the truth concerning that government is proclaimed by men in all walks of life and one does not stand above the other.

 

 "To me, titles mean nothing." he laughed. "It doesn't matter whether I'm called Judge or jackass."

 

 But from the Witnesses Rutherford is accorded a mixture of reverence due a divine agent, and honor and gratitude that would go to a teacher and way-shower.

 

 Conventionites deny they fear for his safety, but the tall, soft-spoken man is guarded with a thoroughness rivaling the Secret Service ring about President Roosevelt.

 

 His place of abode in St Louis is a secret which officials preserve with a polite "I don't know."

 When he arrives at the Arena a double line of husky well-instructed men link arms to shield him. Efficient flying squads block any approach near him in the building, while at least two guard are on duty at each of four landings in the arena stairway leading to the fourth-floor administration offices. The Judge takes the elevator. Others must walk, explaining their mission four times en route. Few survive the gauntlet.

 

 Rutherford said he tries to make himself available to any Witness……. His subordinates explain they are seeking to conserve his strength.

Before and after addresses from the speakers' platform, the guard is even tighter. He arrives only seconds before he begins to talk and is whisked to an automobile before the concluding applause dies out. The audience is cautioned not to whisper. Ushers have turned back everyone seeking to enter the auditorium with a pop-bottle in his hand. No one not wearing a "convention servant" ribbon is permitted within 50 feet of the platform.

 

 Asked to explain the basic differences between beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses and other religions, Rutherford said:

 

 "They are diametrically opposed and therefore can't be classified together just as you can't add a man and a house and have two men or two houses. Christianity, as opposed to "christianity" means doing the will of Almighty God. Religion is the doing of anything that is contrary to the will of God."

 

NO HUMAN LEADER 

 

 Along the same lines, Rutherford explained, Jehovah's Witnesses could be called neither a sect, cult, church, nor organization.

 

 "The first two imply a human leader, which I am not," he said. "The latter two definitions are improper because our work is an individual mission, individuals serving God in their own way."

 As to the literal interpretation of the Bible he asserted "we simply do what it says and don't try to twist out interpretations that will serve our agenda. There are no contradictory parts of the Bible. Rutherford was reluctant to talk of international affairs, since he (continued on Page 4A, Column 5. ) Rutherford Got Start in St. Louis ending from First Page, (typed out above) Rutherford was reluctant to talk of International affairs, since he Continued from first page, felt an expression of personal opinion might be construed as reflecting of members "who must, in all things, follow their own consciences."

 

  "We naturally are neutral in the European crisis," he said. "Jehovah's Witnesses are fighters, but not with carnal weapons. It's truth that makes people free, and we are fighting with truth as our weapon. We couldn't conscientiously fight for the German, Italian or such governments, since we are devoted to fighting for the theocratic government.

 

CALLS HITLER CRAZY

 

 "Hitler," he commented, "Is as crazy as a bedbug. He is under the control of demons as sure as the sun shines, but there isn't the remotest chance he will succeed in his purpose of dominating the world."

 

 Jehovah's Witnesses, as ordained ministers, are exempt under the Selective Service act, he said, and have been specifically covered in an exemption order by Gen. Hershey, Selective Service director.

 

 Rutherford, often rumored to be wealthy since he took up residence in "Bethsarim," $75,000 mansion near San Diego, Cal., laughed at a question pertaining to his personal income. "If I died tomorrow," he said "I wouldn't have money enough to buy a coffin. I imagine though, I would depend on the society buying me one. I haven't showed a net personal profit in anything all my life."

 

NO COLLECTION TAKEN

 

 Collections are never taken among Jehovah's Witnesses, he added, and they never ask for money.

 

  "As the scriptures declare, all the wealth belongs to Almighty God," Rutherford declared. "We are engaged in His work and He sees to it that a sufficient amount of money is provided to carry on the work. He does not beg nor do His faithful followers.

 

 "Every one of Jehovah's Witnesses serves freely and without hire. Every person attending this convention, who is able, pays his own expenses and if he has a little surplus he joyfully gives that to help pay for the expenses of the poor, and here we are feeding many poor people free of charge."

 

  He declined to disclose the society's income from literature on the ground that the "religions never submit a public statement on theirs."

 

 The California mansion, he went on, is not his property. "It was bought and is owned by the Watchtower Society," he added. "I have no property myself. Even the copyrights from my books and pamphlets are held by the Society. "I occupy Bethsarim only by virtue of being president of the society, and succeeding presidents will be entitled to do the same."

 

 CERTAIN UPHEAVALS

 

 Judge Rutherford at one point elaborated on references many convention speakers had made to the end of the world being near. Asked for a date prediction and probable first manifestations of destruction of the world, he said:

 "It isn't wise to try to fix biblical prophesies to a calendar, but there are certain upheavals in civilization predicted in the Bible after which the final stage then will begin. The word "then" is not amplified, but there are many indications the trend toward Armageddon began in 1914. Coincidentally, that marked the beginning of Hitler's evil career.

 

 "The earth will not be destroyed physically. There will always be an earth and there will always be men on it because God put them there. It simply means the triumph of Christ's will over evil. The destruction will be a displacement of evil in the same way that light displaces or dissipates darkness.

 

 DIFFERENT MANNER

 

 Judge Rutherford's quiet voice and friendly manner is wholly unexpected in view of the unquestioning promptness with which he is obeyed by subordinate officials. As Rutherford's spokesmen, the commands of his subordinates are likewise law to members.

 

 Their obedience is astounding. At one night session the chairman inside the Arena announced over the loudspeaker the Arena grounds were badly littered with the refuge of a thousand tincan meals and beds made of newspapers. He requested it be cleaned up. Instantly every person within hearing sprang into action and the debris vanished in seconds.

 

 In the lobby of the Arena, during speeches, booth attendants growl a firm "Be quiet," if any stranger has the effrontery to interrupt their listening. Throughout the convention, no smoking has been permitted.

 

[Tronora]

WOW. What a dynamic leader he was.

[Dustparticle]

10 minutes ago, Tronora said:

WOW. What a dynamic leader he was.

 

 He was not our leader, Jesus is. Rutherford was a judge or jackass.

[minister159]

Brother Knorr was pretty much cut out of the same cloth. Both he and Brother Rutherford were gifts in men that Jehovah provided at the exact time they were needed in caring for the Kingdom interests during their presidencies.

 

 

 

[Frances Bennett]

Just this! 💜💜

 

"Rutherford explained, Jehovah's Witnesses could be called neither a sect, cult, church, nor organization.

 

 "The first two imply a human leader, which I am not," he said. "The latter two definitions are improper because our work is an individual mission, individuals serving God in their own way."

 

 

[Tronora]

11 hours ago, Dustparticle said:

 

 He was not our leader, Jesus is. Rutherford was a judge or jackass.

 

I feel misunderstood 😔 Of course Jesus is our Leader.

[Dolce vita]

Thank you, Glenn, for this last interview. Brother Rutherford's words are powerful but the article is incriminating: mansion, crowd under control, bodyguards... I perhaps understood nothing apart from the intelligence of Brother Rutherford's words. When journalists are not objective it is almost useless to play the game of truth. It will not flow under their pen.

1 hour ago, Tronora said:

 

I feel misunderstood 😔 Of course Jesus is our Leader.

You're not !😘

[Tronora]

13 hours ago, Dustparticle said:

 

 He was not our leader, Jesus is. Rutherford was a judge or jackass.

 

I was thinking of leader as in terms of Hebr 13:17 "Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you"

If they who are taking the lead among you, are not leaders ... ? Maybe it's just a language thing. I don't think about the elders in my cong as 'leaders' per se. Maybe I should have written that Rutherford was taking the lead in a dynamic way ... Sounds hairsplitting to me. I thought people here understood what I meant.

 

I am tryinig to find my place on this forum.

 

[ChrisW]

51 minutes ago, Dolce vita said:

Thank you, Glenn, for this last interview. Brother Rutherford's words are powerful but the article is incriminating: mansion, crowd under control, bodyguards... I perhaps understood nothing apart from the intelligence of Brother Rutherford's words. When journalists are not objective it is almost useless to play the game of truth. It will not flow under their pen.

You're not !😘

It did seem a little like he was treated like a movie star which makes me uncomfortable. But the article could be slanted to give it a certain appearance And where was this mansion and what happened to it? 

[ChrisW]

33 minutes ago, Tronora said:

am tryinig to find my place on this forum.

 

We understand what you meant. You have a place here. 🙂💜  I have been corrected by friends here sometimes it feels like one's are being picky but they really are correcting for those on the outside who may read a statement and misunderstand. 

Much love ❤️ 

[WestBro]

24 minutes ago, ChrisW said:

And where was this mansion and what happened to it?

 

I don't remember any reference, but Beth-Sarim was sold by the organization some time later.

 

For better context on the time Rutherford lived in Beth-Sarim, we have this information in a yearbook:

 

Part 3—United States of America

CLOSING DAYS AT BETH-SARIM

 

 

[Dustparticle]

1 hour ago, Tronora said:

 

I was thinking of leader as in terms of Hebr 13:17 "Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you"

If they who are taking the lead among you, are not leaders ... ? Maybe it's just a language thing. I don't think about the elders in my cong as 'leaders' per se. Maybe I should have written that Rutherford was taking the lead in a dynamic way ... Sounds hairsplitting to me. I thought people here understood what I meant.

 

I am tryinig to find my place on this forum.

 

 

Sorry for the misunderstanding my sis and keep up the god work too.

[Dustparticle]

33 minutes ago, ChrisW said:

It did seem a little like he was treated like a movie star which makes me uncomfortable. But the article could be slanted to give it a certain appearance And where was this mansion and what happened to it? 

 

It was in San Diego and it was NOT his mansion and others lived there too. It was sold about 5 years after his death. Rutherford lived there for health reasons and was busy up into late at night times to get things done.

[Old]

Beth-Sarum today:

 

[Dustparticle]

36 minutes ago, Old said:

Beth-Sarum today:

 

 

 It was a 4 bedroom house when Rutherford lived there. His secretary, dietitian and others  lived there on and off too.