Beth Sarim Deed — San Diego County Records, Book 1741, p. 69 (February 7, 1930)

Download: PDF — Beth Sarim Deed — San Diego County Records, Book 1741, p. 69 (February 7, 1930)

Beth-Sarim-House of Princes

This is one of the most embarrassing moments in the history of the Jehovah's Witnesses and one that the Watchtower wishes had never happened. From time to time the Watchtower is forced to make reference to Beth-Sarim and when it does so it does it in a very dishonest manner and quickly glosses over the real facts. In the Proclaimers of God's Kingdom book p.76 the Watchtower makes only a light reference to the house and misleads its readers into believing that it was of little relevance and played no major part in their history. Whereas in reality is was a fundamental teaching that all witnesses and the secular world were aware of. What follows is a more in-depth analysis of the importance the Watchtower placed on Beth Sarim

In the early twenties the Watchtower put forward the prophecy that the ancient worthies would be resurrected here on earth in 1925. The Watchtower were so sure about this date that they acquired a large property in California for their use. This property was named Beth-Sarim meaning house of princess, and was to be the home for, amongst others, Abraham, David, Isaac, Jacob, Samson and Moses. In the grounds of the mansion the Watchtower planted palm and olive trees so that the ancient worthies would feel at home. In addition if the worthies needed to get around San Diego they would have had the private use of 2 chauffeur driven Cadillacs.

The only person who ever took up residence in the mansion was Rutherford himself and as soon as he died in 1941 the Watchtower sold the property and dropped their teachings with regard 1925.

Below are some quotes from the secular press at the time. Note what a big thing Rutherford makes of the house and, in hind sight, what an absolute embarrassment he makes not only of himself but of Jehovah's organization the Watchtower.

Time Magazine of Mar 31,1930 "Judge Joseph Frederick Rutherford 60, lives in a ten room Spanish mansion, No 4440 Braeburn Rd, San Diego, Calif. Last week he deeded No 4440 Braeburn Road, and adjacent two car garage and a pair of automobiles to King David, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, Samuel and sundry other mighties of ancient Palestine Positive is he that they are shortly to reappear on earth, Said he: 'I have purposely

landscaped the place with palm and olive trees so that these princes of the universe will feel at home ..".

San Diego Sun, March 15, 1930 "But how will you identify King David or any of the other representatives from God?' Rutherford was asked. 'I thought all that out before I wrote the deed,' the judge replied with a twinkle in his gray eyes. 'I realized the possibility of some old codger turning up bright and early some morning and declaring he was David. The men whom I have designated to test the identity of these men are officers of my societies and have consecrated themselves to the Lord, they will be divinely authorized to know impostors from the real princes.'

The San Diego Sun of Jan 9 1931 "A gaunt unshaven tramp has been the lone claimant for the $75,000 Southern Californian mansion of David, king of Israel, since it was deeded to the Biblical character a year ago. This was revealed today by Judge James Rutherford, temporary owner of the luxuriantly furnished Spanish type mansion at 440 Braeburn Rd in the exclusive Kensington Heights district. In one of the oddest deeds ever recorded, Rutherford, president of the International Bible Students Association and the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, has placed in trust the magnificent estate for ancient kings and prophets of Israel. The slayer of Goliath and his companions may occupy the 10 room modern home with it's landscaped gardens and patio as soon as their credentials are approved by Rutherford and officials of his societies, divinely authorized to recognize them.

One morning as I was going from the house to the garage, a queer looking creature approached me, tipped his dirty hat and cried 'Howdy Judge, I'm David' 'Go and tell that to the winds', I told him and he left without arguing the matter. I could see at a glance that he was not David. He didn't look like I knew David would look.' Asked how he expected David and his distinguished brethren to look, Rutherford, without hesitation, opened his huge Bible and pointed to a verse which said that the Princes of the Universe would be risen from the dead 'as perfect men'. 'I interpret that to mean', the tall dignified Judge declared, 'that David, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthae, Joseph and Samuel will be sent here to wrench the world from Satan's grasp, clothed in modern garb as we are, and able, with little effort, to speak our tongue.' Rutherford pictured the arrival of the biblical delegation perhaps in frock coats, high hats, canes and spats.

At Beth Sarim (House of Princes) as Rutherford has named his mansion, David will find the most modern appliances that science has devised. When the distinguished guests walk up the circular stairway to the second floor, they will find a large office with red leather chairs and shiny flat topped desk with inverted lighting. Even French telephones await the touch of the princes. Opening a wide door, the native sons of Palestine will behold a large bathroom, resplendent in shiny black tile with needle shower and an amply filled medicine chest. What a thrill giant shouldered Samson, who wrecked a palace with his bare fists might find in the gold safety razor and strop! Rutherford built the second floor bedroom, which he temporarily occupies, large in order to accommodate several of the expected owners. With wide pane windows that look out on the purple Cuyamacas to the East and California's first mission to the north, the bedroom is almost severe in it's furnishings. The rulers of the universe will have simple tastes, the judge apparently believes, although the austere end tables sported gaily covered fiction magazines. Rutherford has imported some Koniach, Wasser from Cologne, Germany to freshen the princely faces after shaving. A black skull cap hangs over one of the bedposts.

The coming of David and his companions will be the greatest news story of the ages, Rutherford predicted. 'I am not a publicity seeker,' Rutherford said with a twinkle in his kindly brown eyes, 'but I feel that the world should know about their arrival.

It will be a great news story.' Word of his 'House of king David' has reached into every corner of the world, the judge stated. 'Everywhere I went people asked me about this place,' Rutherford said. 'In Chicago a millionaire manufacturer offered to build another house for David, but I declined the offer. 'Literally thousands have driven here to see this place,' Rutherford continued. 'Many have come to the door and my secretary has shown them about the place.' The patio with it's silver pool and olive and palm trees is gay with flowers. Down toward the canyon, paths have been landscaped to allow David and his friends to walk in meditation. Many of the fruits and trees, native to their Palestine, will greet the rulers when they arrive. In the two car garage next door stands a new, yellow 16 cylinder coupe which will be turned over to the rulers along with all the personal property on the place. 'Everything will be theirs, the house, the land, the furnishings and even the clothes if they need them,' Judge Rutherford said. 'What will I do? Oh, don't worry about me. I'll manage somehow.' the judge smiled. He had another 'Watch Tower' residence on Staten Island and practically an entire floor at Bethel. The seven famous men will not have long to rest at their San Diego estate because they soon will lead the forces of the Lord to vanquish the minions of Satan at the battle of Armageddon, Rutherford believed. 'But they will win out. The Lord will punish the devil and will show that the preachers and the politicians have been giving the people false counsel,' Rutherford said confidently. Rutherford will sail May 9 for Europe where he will speak before conventions in Berlin, Paris and London."

The below deed was obtained from the County Record Office, San Diego, California Book 1741 p.69. Please note how the worthies are mentioned on the second page.

Robert J. Martin, a single and unmarried person of 117 Adams St, Brooklyn, New York, for and in consideration of the sum of Ten Dollars $10.00) does hereby grant, bargain and sell unto Joseph F. Rutherford of 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York for and during his life on earth and thereafter to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, a corporation created and organized under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania and maintaining its chief operating offices at 124 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York, and for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

All the real property situated in Kensington Heights, County of San Diego, State of California, bounded and described as follows, to-wit:

Lot One Hundred Ten (110) and Lot One Hundred Eleven (111) Of Ken- sington Heights, Unit No. 2 in the County of San Diego,State of Cali- fornia, according to Map thereof No. 1912, filed in the office of the County Recorder fo said San Diego County, May 24, 1926.

TO HAVE ANT TO HOLD THE ABOVE GRANTED AND DESCRIBED PREMISES unto him, the said Joseph F. Rutherford for his exclusive possession, use and benefit for and during his life on earth and at the end of said limited estate then to the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY in trust to be used for the purposes herein set forth, to-wit:

The grantor at the request of the said Joseph F. Rutherford who is President of the WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY and General Manger thereof makes this provision and condition as set forth in this deed.

Both the grantor and grantee, the said Joseph F. Rutherford are fully persuaded from the Bible Testimony, which is the word Jehovah God, and from extraneous evidence that God's Kingdom is now in course of establishment and that it will result beneficially to the peoples of earth; that the governing power and authority will be invisible to men but that Kingdom of God will have visible representatives on the earth who will have charge of the affairs of the nation under the supervision of the invisible ruler Christ; that among those who will thus be the faithful representatives and visible governors of the world will be David, who was once King over Israel; and Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jepthae, and Joseph, formerly the ruler of Egypt, and Samuel the prophet and other faithful men who were named with approval in the Bible at Hebrews the eleventh chapter.

The condition herein is that the said WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY shall hold said title perpetually in trust for the use of any or all of the men above named as representatives of God's Kingdom on earth and that such men shall have possession and use of said property hereinabove described as they may deem for the best interest for the work in which they are engaged.

The property has been acquired and the improvement built thereon at the instance and under the direction of the said Joseph F. Rutherford and dedicated to Jehovah God and to his King Christ who is the rightful ruler of the earth and for the express purpose of being used by those who are servants of Jehovah God. For this reason the provision is made in this deed that the property shall be forever used for the purpose subject to any encumbrances that may have been placed thereupon.

IT IS FURTHER PROVIDED that if the said JOSEPH F. RUTHERFORD while alive on the earth shall by lease, deed or contract provide that any other person or persons connected with the said WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY shall have the right to reside on said premises until the appearing of David or some of the other men mentioned in the Eleventh (ii) Chapter of Hebrews as above set forth every such person or persons so designated by the said Joseph F.

Rutherford in such lease or other paper writing shall have the right and privilege of residing on said premise until the same be taken possession of by David or some of the other men herein named and this property and premises being dedicated to Jehovah and the use of his kingdom it shall be used as such for ever. Any person appearing to take possession of said premise, shall first prove and identify themselves to the proper officers of said Society as the person or persons described in Hebrews Chapter eleven and in this deed.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I the said Robert J. Martin and the said JOSEPH F. RUTHERFORD have hereunto signed our names this 24th. day of December A. D. 1929.

WITNESSES:

Donald Haslett

Robert J. Martin

Bonnie Boyd

Joseph F. Rutherford

State of New York )

) ss.

County of Kings )

On this 24th. day of December A. D. 1929 before me, Donald Haslett a Notary Public in and for said County and State of New York, having authority to take acknowledgments of legal instruments, personally appeared Robert J. Martin and Joseph F. Rutherford known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument and each acknowledged to me that he executed the same, as his free act and deed.

WITNESS my hand and official seal the day and year in this certificate first above written.

Donald Haslett

Notary Public #632

Kings County Register #1276 Commission expires March 31/1931

State of New York, )

) ss.

County of Kings

I, FRED G. LEMMERMAN, Clerk of the County of Kings, and also Clerk of the Supreme Court for said County (said Court being a Court for Record), DO HEREBY CERTIFY that Donald Haslett, and Notary Public before whom the within acknowledgment of deposition was made, was at the time of taking the same authorized by the laws of the State of New York to take the acknowledgments and proofs of deeds or conveyances for lands, tenements and hereeditaments situate, lying and being in said State of New York. And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Notary and verily believe that the signature to said certificate of proof, acknowledgment or deposition is genuine.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County and Court, this 24 day of December 1929.

Fred G. Lemmerman Clerk.

Recorded at request of Grantee, Feb. 7, 1930 past 2 o'clock

P.M. John H. Ferry, County Recorder,

Fee $1.80 by N.C. Parsons, Deputy