Changes

== History ==

== History ==

The group originated in the 1870s with a movement called the Bible Students, founded by [[Charles Taze Russell]] (1852-1916). As a young man, Russell was critical of some Christian doctrines, and was attracted to the teachings of William Miller and other [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Adventists]] who speculated upon the return of the Savior. During the repeated crises of the Adventists, when all dates calculated for the second coming proved erroneous, Russel started his own movement in the 1870s. Predictions concerning the second coming of a spiritual Lord and intensive distribution of tract literature and of 'Watchtower' materials characterize the organization of his group. Russell organized a Bible class to study the scriptures from the ground up.  The study process involved raising a question, discussing the topic and reviewing all known related scriptures that the participants could find on the point.  The results were recorded whether or not they matched long-standing theological viewpoints.  His group was known first as Russellites and then as the "International Bible Students." Russell founded Zion's Watch Tower, (now The Watchtower), in 1879, and Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in 1884 (later renamed Watchtower Bible and Tract Society)

The group originated in the 1870s with a movement called the Bible Students, founded by [[Charles Taze Russell]] (1852-1916). He did so in the town of Columbus, Ohio, in 1931. As a young man, Russell was critical of some Christian doctrines, and was attracted to the teachings of William Miller and other [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Adventists]] who speculated upon the return of the Savior. During the repeated crises of the Adventists, when all dates calculated for the second coming proved erroneous, Russel started his own movement in the 1870s. Predictions concerning the second coming of a spiritual Lord and intensive distribution of tract literature and of 'Watchtower' materials characterize the organization of his group. Russell organized a Bible class to study the scriptures from the ground up.  The study process involved raising a question, discussing the topic and reviewing all known related scriptures that the participants could find on the point.  The results were recorded whether or not they matched long-standing theological viewpoints.  His group was known first as Russellites and then as the "International Bible Students." Russell founded ''The Herald of the Morning'' (1879), which later became ''The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom'', then was renamed to ''Zion's Watch Tower'', and now simply now ''The Watchtower'', and Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in 1884 (later renamed Watchtower Bible and Tract Society).<ref name="Kingdom of the Cults">Martin, Walter. Kingdom of the Cults. Bethany House, 1997.</ref>

"Judge" Joseph F. Rutherford (1869-1942), a prolific writer, served as the second president, 1916–42, and renamed the movement "Jehovah's Witnesses" in 1931.  By 1938 there were 115,000 members, and local churches were becoming more directly organized by the Society's headquarters in Brooklyn.  

"Judge" Joseph F. Rutherford (1869-1942), a prolific writer, served as the second president, 1916–42, and renamed the movement "Jehovah's Witnesses" in 1931.  By 1938 there were 115,000 members, and local churches were becoming more directly organized by the Society's headquarters in Brooklyn.