Letter announcing death of Charles Taze Russell, 1916-11-13
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Dearly Beloved Co-Laborers in the Harvest Field:-
November 13th, 1916.
The great shock of our Beloved Pastor's death has undoubtedly affected you in the Field as much as it did those of us here in the Bethel and Tabernacle.
We received the news on Tuesday evening through the Associated Press dispatches sent all over the country. However, no confirmation was received from Brother Sturgeon, who accompanied him as his Secretary, and we were not inclined to believe the report until we heard from him. A number of the family remained up all night waiting until 6:30 in the morning, when Brother Sturgeon's wire came announcing our dear Pastor's death and that he would arrive home Friday morning with the body. So we waited patiently for his arrival! These two days of waiting were days of great anxiety to us, during which time our minds were filled with a continued series of conflicting emotions. We were solemn and sad, yet happy and glad, for we realized that our dear Pastor was with the Lord and that his work would continue.
On Friday morning Brother Sturgeon arrived with the remains, which were immediately taken to the undertaker's rooms, and later, on Saturday, brought to the Bethel, where they lay in state until Sunday morning and were then taken to The Temple, where the funeral services were held.
Brother Sturgeon told us about his experiences on the last trip, which, according to the TOWER announcement, was to include Lansing, Michigan; Springfield, Ill.; Wichita, Kansas.; Dallas, Galveston, Houston and San Antonio, Texas; San Diego, Cal.; Topeka, Kansas; Tulsa, Okla.; Lincoln, Nebraska, and New York City Temple, November 5th. All appointments were filled enroute save Springfield, Ill., a train wreck having occurred, causing a delay of several hours. He arrived at Dallas, Texas, in time to serve at the Convention there. The next day he served at Galveston in the afternoon, Houston at night, proceeding to San Antonio for what proved to be his last public meeting. He was suffering so much at San Antonio that it was necessary for him to leave the platform on three different occasions for a period of from five to ten minutes. Just as he left the platform on each occasion, Brother Sturgeon took up the thread of his discourse and carried it on until his return. After the meeting they boarded the train for California. Upon arrival there he was too weak to fill his appointment Sunday afternoon at San Diego. Instead, he remained in his hotel at Los Angeles, and at four o'clock addressed the Church there while seated upon a chair on the platform. This was his last message to the Church. From the hall he went to the train, where a drawing room was provided for the use of himself and Brother Sturgeon on the journey East. He gradually grew worse, and although apparently suffering a great deal made no complaint, being true to the "Morning Resolve." He was too weak to carry on any conversation with Brother Sturgeon aside from indicating the little things he wanted done for his comfort. However, a few expressions were made by him from time to time:
When asked about the Seventh Volume, he said, "Someone else can write that."
Later he said that others would smile the waters of Jordan. A rather remarkable thing occurred on Monday morning--the day before his death, when he asked Brother Sturgeon to make a Roman Toga for him, which consisted of two sheets folded about twelve inches on the top, one in front and one on the back, pinned on either shoulder. After this was arranged he laid down on the couch in the drawing room and closed his eyes. Immediately Brother Sturgeon understood this to mean that death was near. It is interesting to note that the Toga was worn by those who had kept their vows and finished their work in triumph. At 2:30 Tuesday afternoon he peacefully breathed his last. The body was taken from the train and prepared for burial and placed aboard the next train coming east.
A Memorial issue of THE TOWER is now being prepared, which will give a detailed account of the funeral arrangements and other interesting items connected with our Pastor's life and work. This will reach you in due time. Therefore we will not enter into the various details in this letter.
Undoubtedly many of you are wondering what will be done by those left in charge of the work here. We assure you that everything will continue as before, for Brother Russell left detailed arrangements to have the work carried on after he was taken away. Just before his departure on the last trip, he did something we have never before known him to do--write a personal letter to the head of each department, outlining his duties and the arrangements he had made for carrying on the work in general. Further, in his will provision was made to continue THE TOWER. He named an editorial staff of five brethren and left sufficient matter prepared by him to last an indefinite period.
Shortly before he started on his last trip, he placed an order with the Conkey Printing Company for over a hundred thousand copies of STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES, which are now in process of preparation. He also wrote a very interesting preface for each of the Six Volumes, which will appear in the new edition. From these facts and many others, we are all convinced that our Beloved Brother was aware that his work in the flesh was about finished and that the end would come soon.
Many letters of greetings and sympathy and many donations of flowers and money to purchase flowers were received. For all of these we desire here to express our deep appreciation. We recognize that you all sorrow with us; and we also are sure that the same Holy Spirit which sustained the Bethel Family in such a remarkable manner also sustained each and all of you. While we have many things in the past to remind us of our Beloved Brother's presence with us and his untiring zeal on behalf of all the household of faith, and while such will be fond memories, yet we believe that all of the Lord's people will do as our Beloved Pastor so often recommended --"forgetting the things behind, and pressing forward to the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Jesus, our Forerunner, has entered into the holiest of all; and we believe our Beloved Brother is there also in the joys of the Lord. We pray for each of you the Lord's blessing and sustaining grace. May the Truth shine brighter into your lives! May the things of the present life become less and less attractive to you, and the things of the Kingdom become more and more your treasure!
With much Christian love, we remain
Your brethren in the Master's service,
With Town D. & J. Society .