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J. F. Rutherford
Joseph Franklin Rutherford (November 8, 1869 – January 8, 1942), also known as Judge Rutherford, was the second president of the incorporated Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. He...view moreJoseph Franklin Rutherford (November 8, 1869 – January 8, 1942), also known as Judge Rutherford, was the second president of the incorporated Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. He played a primary role in the organization and doctrinal development of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which emerged from the Bible Student movement established by Charles Taze Russell.
Rutherford began a career in law, working as a court stenographer, trial lawyer and prosecutor. He became a special judge in the 14th Judicial District of Missouri at some time after 1895. He developed an interest in the doctrines of Watch Tower Society president Charles Taze Russell, which led to his joining the Bible Student movement, and he was baptized in 1906. He was appointed the legal counsel for the Watch Tower Society in 1907, as well as a traveling representative prior to his election as president in 1917.
Rutherford introduced many organizational and doctrinal changes that helped shape the current beliefs and practices of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He imposed a centralized administrative structure on the worldwide Bible Student movement, which he later called a theocracy, requiring all adherents to distribute literature via door to door preaching and to provide regular reports of their preaching activity. He also instituted training programs for public speaking as part of their weekly meetings for worship. He introduced the name “Jehovah’s witnesses” in 1931 and the term “Kingdom Hall” for houses of worship in 1935.
Rutherford was the author of twenty-one books and was credited by the Society in 1942 with the distribution of almost 400 million books and booklets.view less
Books by J. F. Rutherford
Riches The Harp of God: Proof Conclusive That Millions Now Living Will Never Die Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Harp of God: Proof Conclusive That Millions Now Living Will Never Die Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings