Beth Sarim Explained

32.7712°N -117.0991°WBeth Sarim (Hebrew בית שרים "House of the Princes") is a ten-bedroom mansion in San Diego, California, constructed in 1929 in anticipation of various resurrected Old Testament biblical patriarchs or prophets such as Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah and Samuel. It was maintained by the Watch Tower Society, the parent organization used by Jehovah's Witnesses, and was also used as a winter home and executive office for Watch Tower president Joseph Franklin Rutherford. The house was sold to a private owner in 1948.

Background

In 1918, Watch Tower publications began predicting, under the direction of Rutherford, that Old Testament patriarchs or "princes" would be resurrected back to earthly life in 1925. It was taught that these "princes" would become earth's new leaders and that their resurrection would be a prelude to the inauguration of a new earthly society and the abolition of death.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] (It had previously been taught that these individuals were to be raised shortly after 1914.[8] [9]) These "princes" would use Jerusalem as their capital, with some of the "princes" being located in other "principal parts of the earth".[10] Despite the failure of this prediction, Rutherford continued to preach their imminent return.[11]

During this time, Rutherford spent winters in San Diego, California, for health reasons,[12] and "in time, a direct contribution was made for the purpose of constructing a house in San Diego for brother Rutherford's use".[13] The property was acquired in October 1929 by Robert J Martin and was given to Rutherford in December for the nominal fee of $10 (current equivalent $). The house was built in that year.[14]

Rutherford named the property Beth Sarim and dedicated it for the use of the expected Old Testament "princes", who were now expected to be headquartered in San Diego instead of Jerusalem.[15] [16] The deed for Beth Sarim, written by Rutherford, said that the property was to be held "perpetually in trust" for the Old Testament "princes" and was to be surrendered to them once they arrived.[17] [18]

It was located in the Kensington Heights section of San Diego over an area of about 100acres, landscaped with olive, date, and palm trees so that the "princes" would "feel at home".[19] The 5100square feet residence, designed by San Diego architect Richard S. Requa, is a ten-bedroom Spanish mansion with an adjacent two-car garage.[20] [21] [22] The building costs at the time were about $25,000 (current equivalent $).[23] Writing in the book Salvation in 1939, Rutherford explained that Beth Sarim would forever be used by the resurrected "princes".[24]

Occupation

Rutherford moved into Beth Sarim in early 1930 and served as caretaker of the property awaiting the resurrection of the "princes". Newspapers of the time reported on Rutherford's lavish lifestyle, which included a 16-cylinder Fisher Fleetwood Cadillac coupe.[25] [26] [27] The residence was cited by Olin R. Moyle, former legal counsel for Jehovah's Witnesses, in a letter to Rutherford in 1939, as one of the examples of "the difference between the accommodations furnished to you, and your personal attendants, compared with those furnished to some of your brethren".[28] [29]

Walter F. Salter, former manager of the Canadian branch of the Watch Tower Society, also criticized Rutherford's use of Beth Sarim.[30] [31] A reply to Salter's criticisms of Rutherford was published in the May 2, 1937, Golden Age, with a photocopy of a letter from W. E. Van Amburgh, Secretary-Treasurer of the Watch Tower Society, stating:[32] The magazine Consolation (successor to The Golden Age) explained that Beth Sarim served as Rutherford's winter headquarters:[33]

Rutherford's burial

Rutherford died at Beth Sarim on January 8, 1942, at the age of 72.[34] [35] After his death, Rutherford's burial was delayed for three and a half months due to legal proceedings arising from his desire to be buried at Beth Sarim, which he had previously expressed to three close advisers from Brooklyn headquarters.[36] [37] Witnesses collected over 14,000 signatures on a petition that Rutherford's dying wish might be granted. The May 27, 1942, Consolation explained:Consolation condemned San Diego County officials for their refusal to grant a permit for Rutherford's burial at Beth Sarim or on a neighboring property named Beth Shan,[38] [39] [40] also owned by the Watchtower Society: After all appeals were exhausted, Consolation stated that Rutherford's remains were shipped to New York where he was buried on April 25, 1942.[41] Critics have speculated that Rutherford was secretly buried at Beth Sarim.[42] [43] [44] The May 4, 1942, issue of Time noted Rutherford's burial at Rossville, New York, on Staten Island;[45] a private burial plot for Watch Tower branch volunteers is on Woodrow Road.[46] The exact grave location is unmarked; in 2002, a caretaker at Woodrow United Methodist Church and Cemetery (an adjoining graveyard) answered an inquiry about Watch Tower's plot by noting "I couldn't tell you who is buried on it because it has absolutely no markers or headstones or anything."[47]

Sale of property

After Rutherford's death, the Watchtower Society maintained Beth Sarim for a few years,[48] before selling the property in 1948.[49] The belief that the "princes" would be resurrected before Armageddon was abandoned in 1950.[50] [51] [52] [53] In 1954, when asked at a trial in Scotland why the property was sold, Frederick William Franz - then vice president of the Watch Tower Society - explained:[54]

The house is now privately owned and has been designated Historical Landmark number 474 by the City of San Diego.[55] [56]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Watchtower. Questions Concerning Ezekiel's Temple. June 15, 1918. 6279. .
  2. Book: Millions Now Living Will Never Die. J. F. Rutherford. Watchtower. 1920. 89–90. 2008-08-20. 2021-02-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20210211032535/http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/millions/millions.html. dead. PDF version
  3. Book: The Way to Paradise. W. E. Van Amburgh. Watchtower. 1924. 215–224. 2008-07-19. 2008-06-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20080626065459/http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/waytoparadise/1924_The_Way_To_Paradise.pdf. dead.
  4. Golden Age. A Bible For the Scientist. W. E. Van Amburgh. December 31, 1924. 220–222. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080227201601/http://www.a2z.org/wtarchive/docs/g24DEC31.pdf. February 27, 2008.
  5. Book: Comfort For the People. J. F. Rutherford. Watchtower. 1925. 1, 9, 39. 2008-07-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20110529221130/http://205.134.162.24/downloads/1925_Comfort_for_the_People.pdf. 2011-05-29. dead.
  6. News: The New York Times. New Date For Millennium: Russellites Now See It Coming on Earth in 1925. June 2, 1919. .
  7. News: . Melbourne, Australia . 'End of the World' Prophesied for 1925 . October 30, 1920 . 6 . News Clippings from the "Millions Now Living Will Never Die" Campaign (1919-1925)
  8. Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence. The Rank of the Ancient Worthies. October 15, 1904. 313. . July 28, 2008. October 8, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081008202723/http://www.heraldmag.org/olb/bsl/Library/Russell/Towers/Zwt1904/WTOct04.PDF. dead.
  9. Watch Tower. A Father's Letter to His Son. September 1, 1908. 264. .
  10. Book: A Desirable Government. J. F. Rutherford. Watchtower. 1924. 30. The [prince] in authority at Jerusalem will give direction as to the carrying out of governmental affairs in different parts of the earth. With great improved broadcasting stations we can expect Abraham from Mount Zion to direct the affairs of the whole earth.. 2008-08-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20110529221230/http://205.134.162.24/downloads/1924_Desirable_Government.pdf. 2011-05-29. dead.
  11. Book: What You Need. J. F. Rutherford. Watchtower. 1932. 8–10. This prophecy shows, therefore, that Christ the King will make those faithful men the princes or visible rulers in all the earth. That means that soon you may expect to see Abraham, Enoch, Moses, David and all of these other faithful men back on earth.. 2008-07-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20110529221431/http://205.134.162.24/downloads/1932_What_You_Need.pdf. 2011-05-29. dead.
  12. Book: Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watchtower. 1993. 76.
  13. Book: 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watchtower. 1974. 194.
  14. Golden Age. Robert J Martin . Watch Tower . 1930. 405. In October, 1929, I went to California and acquired the title to the ground in my name....
  15. Book: Apostles of Denial. Edmond C. Gruss. Presbyterian & Reformed. 1970. 226. [Beth-Sarim was built] to give sagging hopes for the princes' return a boost..
  16. The Messenger. Beth-Sarim -- Much Talked About House. Watchtower. July 25, 1931. 6, 8. . April 24, 2009. August 15, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170815135605/http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/tracts/1931_Messenger.pdf. dead.
  17. Deed . Country Record office . February 7, 1930 . San Diego . 1741 . 69 . John H. Ferry . https://web.archive.org/web/20111002134604/http://www.a2z.org/wtarchive/docs/1930_Beth_Sarim_Deed.pdf . 2 October 2011 . dead.
  18. Golden Age. Deed. Watch Tower. March 19, 1930. 274. XI. 406–407. Robert J Marten.
  19. Time . California Cults . March 31, 1930 . 60 . Scan of original Time article
  20. The American. Peddlars of Paradise. Jerome Beatty. November 1940. 54. 2011-02-06. 2012-03-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20120319231544/http://watchtowerdocuments.com/documents/1940_Peddlers_of_Paradise.pdf. dead.
  21. The Saturday Evening Post. Armageddon, Inc. Stanley High. September 14, 1940. 52.
  22. Web site: Gruss & Chretien . Beth Sarim: A Monument to a False Prophet and to False Prophecy . See http://www.sdhaciendas.com/Richard%20S%20Requa.html for Requa's contribution to architecture in California.
  23. Book: Jehovah's Witnesses: Their Claims, Doctrinal Changes and Prophetic Speculation. Edmond C. Gruss. Xulon Press. 2001. 216 . 978-1-931232-30-2.
  24. Book: J. F. Rutherford. Watchtower. http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/salvation/salvation6.html. 1939. 311–312. Salvation. GOD'S GOVERNMENT. 2008-07-19. 2016-03-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205650/http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/salvation/salvation6.html. dead. . See also Book: The New World. Watchtower. 1942. 104–105. 2008-07-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20110529221548/http://205.134.162.24/downloads/1942_The_New_World.pdf. 2011-05-29. dead.
  25. News: Interview with J.F. Rutherford . San Diego Sun. March 15, 1930 . https://web.archive.org/web/20021116003322/http://www1.tip.nl/~t661020/engels/beth-sarim/sunartc.htm . 2002-11-16.
  26. Book: Witnesses of Jehovah. Leonard & Marjorie Chretien. Harvest House. 1988. 45. To place the value of this automobile in perspective, a new Ford in 1931 cost approximately $600. A 16-cylinder Cadillac cost between $5,400 and $9,200, depending on style.. 2011-02-06. 2011-06-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20110601135438/http://www.watchtowerdocuments.com/documents/1988_Witnesses_of_Jehovah_Searchable.pdf. dead.
  27. News: Syracuse Herald-Journal. Judge Awaits Next Coming of King David. March 23, 1930. .
  28. Web site: Olin R. Moyle's Letter to J.F. Rutherford. 2011-02-06. 2011-09-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20110901235936/http://watchtowerdocuments.com/documents/1939%20Olin%20Moyles%20letter%20to%20Rutherford.pdf. dead.
  29. Book: A People For His Name: A History of Jehovah's Witnesses and an Evaluation. Tony Wills. 202–204. Lulu.com. 2007. 978-1-4303-0100-4.
  30. Book: Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. M. James Penton. University of Toronto Press. 1997. 73–75 . 978-0-8020-7973-2.
  31. Web site: W.F. Salter's Letter to J.F. Rutherford. 2011-02-06. 2012-03-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20120319231527/http://watchtowerdocuments.com/documents/1937%20W.F.%20Salter%20letter%20to%20Rutherford.pdf. dead.
  32. The Golden Age. Why Salter Lost His Job. May 2, 1937. 499. Watchtower. . January 15, 2011. March 3, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120303072506/http://pastor-russell.com/jfr/documents/salter_GA-02may37.pdf. dead.
  33. Consolation. San Diego's Officials Line Up Against Earth's New Princes. May 27, 1942. 5–6. Watchtower. . February 6, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120319231401/http://www.wtarchive.org/deposit/consolation/1942/Consolation%20May%2027%201942.pdf. March 19, 2012. dead.
  34. Book: Let Your Name Be Sanctified. Watchtower. 1961. 335–336. 2009-03-28. 2017-08-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20170819164458/http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/sanctified/sanctified18.html. dead.
  35. News: St. Petersburg Times . Witness Sect Founder Dies . January 11, 1942 . .
  36. Book: Jehovah's Witnesses - Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. 90.
  37. News: The Evening Independent (St Petersburg, Florida). January 26, 1942. Witnesses Ask Right To Bury Leader. 18. .
  38. Beth Shan was a 200 acre estate owned by the Watchtower Society about a mile and a half due east of Beth Sarim across the canyon in which Fairmont Avenue runs. News: The San Diego Union. No Will Left By Rutherford, Says Secretary. February 18, 1942. B–7. . February 6, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120319231456/http://www.wtarchive.org/deposit/doc/1942_boyd.jpg. March 19, 2012. dead.
  39. Web site: Beth Shan -- The Watchtower's "House of Security". dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081002170539/http://www.seanet.com/~raines/bethshan.html. 2008-10-02.
  40. Web site: Beth Shan and the Return of the Princes. 9 June 2009 . 2021-12-01.
  41. Consolation. San Diego's Officials Line Up Against Earth's New Princes. May 27, 1942. 9, 14–16. Watchtower. . February 6, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120319231401/http://www.wtarchive.org/deposit/consolation/1942/Consolation%20May%2027%201942.pdf. March 19, 2012. dead.
  42. Book: Witnesses of Jehovah. Leonard & Marjorie Chretien. Harvest House. 1988. 49. 2011-02-06. 2011-06-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20110601135438/http://www.watchtowerdocuments.com/documents/1988_Witnesses_of_Jehovah_Searchable.pdf. dead.
  43. Web site: San Diego Reader. June 28, 2008.
  44. Book: Cemeteries of San Diego. Mallios. 2007. Arcadia Publishing. 112. 978-0-7385-4714-5.
  45. Time. Buried. May 4, 1942. https://web.archive.org/web/20101014171230/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,777771,00.html. dead. October 14, 2010. .
  46. "Announcements", The Watchtower, October 1, 1966, page 608
  47. Book: Van Amburgh, W. E. . An enlarged replica of the International Bible Students Association's original 1924 book. The way to paradise. Lulu.com. 2005. 45, 46. 1-4116-5971-6. 2009-07-12.
  48. Collier's. Jehovah's Traveling Salesmen. Bill Davidson. November 22, 1946. 75.
  49. Web site: Beth-Sarim. 9 June 2009 . 2021-12-01.
  50. Book: Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. 1993. Watchtower. 76. At the time, it was believed that faithful men of old times, such as Abraham, Joseph, and David, would be resurrected before the end of this system of things and would serve as 'princes in all the earth,' in fulfillment of Psalm 45:16. This view was adjusted in 1950, when further study of the Scriptures indicated that those earthly forefathers of Jesus Christ would be resurrected after Armageddon..
  51. Book: Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose. 1959. Watchtower. 252–253. 2008-07-21. 2016-04-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20160409190711/http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/divinepurpose/1959_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_in_the_Divine_Purpose.pdf. dead.
  52. For reactions to the announcement of the change of belief, see "The 'Princes' Are Here" in Book: 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. Watchtower. 1974. 213–214.
  53. Book: Visions of Glory: A History and a Memory of Jehovah's Witnesses. Barbara Grizzuti Harrison. Simon & Schuster. 180–181, 269–270. 1978. https://web.archive.org/web/20040209123952/http://www.exjws.net/vg.htm. February 9, 2004.
  54. Web site: Douglas Walsh vs. The Right Honorable James Latham Clyde, M. P. C..
  55. Web site: Historical Landmarks Designated by the San Diego Historical Resources Board.
  56. Web site: landmarklist.pdf . City of San Diego . City of San Diego . 5 February 2024.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Beth Sarim".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.