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Proclaiming the Lord’s Return (1870-1914)Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom
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He was the second son of Joseph L. and Ann Eliza (Birney) Russell, who were Presbyterians of Scottish-Irish descent. Charles’ mother died when he was only nine years old, but from an early age, Charles was influenced by both of his religiously-minded parents. As a later associate of C. T. Russell put it, “they trained the small twig; and it grew in the direction of the Lord.”
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Proclaiming the Lord’s Return (1870-1914)Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom
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Charles’ parents sincerely believed the creeds of Christendom’s churches and brought him up to accept them too. Young Charles was thus taught that God is love, yet that he had created men inherently immortal and had provided a fiery place in which he would eternally torment all except those who had been predestined to be saved.
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Proclaiming the Lord’s Return (1870-1914)Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom
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[Picture on page 43]
Joseph L. Russell, Charles’ father, was a member of the Allegheny Bible study class and a close associate of his son in the activities of the Watch Tower Society until his death in 1897
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