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 From YEAR OF DOOM,
1975, by W. C. Stevenson (The inside story of Jehovah’s Witnesses); we quote, p. 146-f.
“It is important to see the Rutherford era as the gradual evolution of a ‘theocratic’ organization,
because this is in fact what it was, an ideal to which Rutherford dedicated every effort to realize. In the days
of Russell the congregations had been run by elders
elected by the members, thus making the congregations completely autonomous, independent of headquarters control.
Step by step this arrangement was replaced by direct supervision by the Society.
The first step was taken when Rutherford outlined the work that was to be done in advertising the
fact that God’s Kingdom now rules and will shortly bring an end to this evil world. A new magazine was introduced
in 1919 called The
Golden Age
(now known as Awake), and this magazine was to be used
in the house-to-house campaign which Rutherford launched. In a pamphlet entitled To Whom The Work is Entrusted (1919), Rutherford explained: ‘The Golden Age work is a house-to-house canvass with the kingdom message,
proclaiming the day of vengeance of our God and comforting them that mourn.’
If a congregation wished to take part in this new campaign, it was asked to register as a service
organization with the Society, who then appointed one of its members as the ‘service director’. In this way the
Society gained control of the congregations’ house-to-house
work, bringing it under its direct supervision. The ‘elective elders’
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however
still had control of the congregations meetings.
In 1920
everyone in the congre- gations who engaged in house- to- house preaching was required to turn in a weekly report
of his activities. The Society was really beginning to organize the work, and gradually to introduce the business
methods which I have outlined in previous chapters. In 1922 the monthly broadsheet of instructions began
to be published ‘encouraging all as “valiant warriors” to memorize Society — prepared testimonies, first called
a “canvass”, in offering the Bible Literature’ (The Watchtower, May 15, 1955, page 299).
The word
‘organization’ was insistently repeated year after year in the Society’s publications, and finally in 1932 The
Watchtower published two articles on The Jehovah’s Organization which resulted
in the abolition of the ‘elective elders’ system to be replaced by the ‘theocratic’ arrangement of Society — appointed
servants. No longer would the congregation vote its elders into office. Rather they would be appointed by the Society’
headquarters staff. Quoting from the resolution on this matter which the congregations were required to adopt:
We...
recognize.., that THE SOCIETY is the visible representative of the Lord on earth, and therefore request “THE SOCIETY”
organize this company for service to appoint the various servants thereof, so that all of us may work together
in peace, harmony, righteousness and complete unity. “ (SELAH! RFT)
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