Letter to the Editor — Russellism's Afterlife Good for Criminals

Ohio, 1918

Editor — Mr. Spring's statement under communicated in June 10 edition, was a most plausible one; to one that is familiar with the tenets of the late "Pastor" Russell, German propagandism would be the least pernicious of his misleading, soul-destroying teachings. No better way to encourage the elements of crime in human nature could be found than by circulating the books and preaching the doctrine of Russellism.

"Russellism is the message that brings glad tidings of great joy to every criminal; to every robber; every murderer. It takes away the fear of the hangman's rope and the dread of the electric chair. The criminal can afford to laugh at them. Even if he should suffer death by either of these means he would not suffer afterward. To him there will be the peace of non-existence till brought to life again; and if then, he is tired of sinning he may turn over a new leaf and live forever in that age of ages where he shall have nothing to do but eat to live and live to eat. Here is a religion that offers a premium on every crime in the calendar; guarantees eternal life and felicity to every wicked man who ever lived, and assures the wicked of today that his very wickedness will be a great advantage — a "valuable asset" — to help him live a life of joy and peace forever, and all of this offered in the name of our Holy Bible, and in the sacred name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

Mothers, do you wonder that our president forbids the dissemination of this literature throughout our cantonments? Would you have your sons' souls salvation imperiled by a religion that teaches they will have a "second chance" to accept Christ as their Saviour beyond the grave? Instead of casting aspersions on the mayor of our city he should be given a vote of thanks by every right-minded, thoughtful citizen. There is one statement of "Pastor" Russell's that I would respectfully call the attention of your readers to: "The professing Christian church was rejected of God in 1878."

Without our churches we would soon revert to such doctrines as Russellism foists upon a portion of the unthinking public; the strongest motive for opposing this false teaching is a prayerful desire to save souls from the deadly thought of a false security, when there is for them only the sure judgment that will fall upon all who do not accept Christ. "He the believeth not is condemned already." — A Subscriber.

—The Newark Advocate, Newark, Ohio, June 11, 1918, p. 6.