Beth Sarim

Beth Sarim, Hebrew for 'House of the Princes', was a ten-bedroom mansion in San Diego, California which was maintained by the Watch Tower Society, the parent organization used by Jehovah's Witnesses, as a winter home and executive office for Watch Tower president Joseph Franklin Rutherford; it was also constructed in anticipation of the resurrection of various Old Testament patriarchs or prophets such as Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah and Samuel.

Construction and purpose

Golden AgeBeginning in the year 1918 [Originally, the Bible Students had expected "that the resurrection of the Ancient Worthies will occur about 1914, or shortly thereafter." ("Ancient Worthies" was another name used for the Old Testament "princes.") cite journal|journal=Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence|title=The Rank of the Ancient Worthies|date=October 15, 1904|pages=313|url=http://www.heraldmag.org/olb/bsl/Library/Russell/Towers/Zwt1904/WTOct04.PDF "The Scriptures indicate that in the year 1915...Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Isaiah, Daniel, and all the holy prophets and patriarchs from Abel to John the Baptist, will have been raised from the dead and will be in charge of the earthly phase of the Lord's Kingdom, with headquarters at Jerusalem." cite journal|journal=Watch Tower|title=A Father's Letter to His Son|date=September 1, 1908|pages=264|url=http://www.a2z.org/wtarchive/docs/1908_Sept_1_Zion's_Watch_Tower.pdf] , the of 19 March, 1930, Rutherford explained that Beth Sarim's purpose would be forever at the disposal of these Old Testament princes. Nine years later, he confirmed this in the book "Salvation":

Occupation, Rutherford's death and sale

J.F. Rutherford in Beth SarimJoseph Franklin 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. [ [http://www1.tip.nl/~t661020/engels/beth-sarim/sunartc.htm The San Diego Sun - March 15, 1930 and January 9, 1931.] ] [cite journal|journal=Syracuse Herald Journal|title=Judge Awaits Next Coming of King David|date=March 23, 1930|url=http://www.catholic-forum.com/members/popestleo/News_Clippings_Judge_Rutherford.pdf] This 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, andyour personal attendants, compared with thosefurnished to some of your brethren." [ [http://www.watchtowerdocuments.com/downloads/1939%20Olin%20Moyles%20letter%20to%20Rutherford.pdf Olin R. Moyle's Letter to J.F. Rutherford] ] [cite book|title=A People For His Name: A History of Jehovah's Witnesses and an Evaluation|author=Tony Wills|pages=202-204|publisher=Lulu.com|year=2007|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=iTt2EphfPr8C&pg=PA181&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=0_0&sig=ACfU3U0F2GGjNJwRVqrN3VdyNIO6Z2uhhQ#PPA202,M1] Walter F. Salter, former manager of the Canadian branch of the Watch Tower Society, also criticized Rutherford's use of Beth Sarim. [cite book|title=Apocaylpse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses|author=M. James Penton|publisher=University of Toronto Press|year=1997|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=38SYXalMLeQC&pg=PA68&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=0_0&sig=ACfU3U31RITFlJEWopfrQdxNJ8kxFoKuog#PPA73,M1|pages=73-75] [ [http://www.watchtowerdocuments.com/downloads/1937%20W.F.%20Salter%20letter%20to%20Rutherford.pdf W.F. Salter's Letter to J.F. Rutherford] ] 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:The magazine "Consolation" (successor to "The Golden Age") explained how Beth Sarim served as Rutherford's winter headquarters:
"For twelve winters Judge Rutherford and his office force occupied Beth Sarim. It was not used as a place of ease or vacationing, but was used as a winter workshop; the books from "Vindication, Book One" down to and including "Children" were written there, as well as many "Watchtower" articles and booklets. The executive instructions for branches all over the earth also were transmitted from Beth-Sarim during the Judge's presence there. At Beth Sarim, Judge Rutherford completed the 1942 "Yearbook" material as his last work before his death. He dictated this material from his dying bed." [cite journal|journal=Consolation|title=San Diego's Officials Line Up Against Earth's New Princes|date=May 27, 1942|url=http://cchasson.free.fr/deposit/consolation/Consolation%20May%2027%201942.pdf|pages=5-6|publisher=Watchtower]

Rutherford died at Beth Sarim on January 8, 1942 at the age of 72. 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. Witnesses collected over 14,000 signatures on a petition that Rutherford's dying wish might be granted. The May 27, 1942 "Consolation" explained that:"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 [ [http://www.seanet.com/~raines/bethshan.html Beth Shan -- The Watchtower's "House of Security"] [http://www.equip.org/atf/cf/%7B9C4EE03A-F988-4091-84BD-F8E70A3B0215%7D/DJ566.pdf Beth Shan and the Return of the Princes] ] , which was also owned by the Watchtower Society:After all appeals were exhausted, "Consolation" stated that Rutherford's remains were shipped to New York and he was buried there on April 25, 1942. [cite journal|journal=Consolation|title=San Diego's Officials Line Up Against Earth's New Princes|date=May 27, 1942|url=http://cchasson.free.fr/deposit/consolation/Consolation%20May%2027%201942.pdf|pages=9,14-16|publisher=Watchtower]

Despite official denials by the Watchtower Society, some have speculated, however, that Rutherford was secretly buried at Beth Sarim. [ [http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/jun/28/famous-dead-neighbors-in-san-diego-plus-my-brunch-/ San Diego Reader, June 28, 2008] cite book|title=Cemeteries of San Diego|author=Mallios et al|year=2007|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|pages=112|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=-hNx2HsGxxgC&pg=PA103&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=0_0&sig=ACfU3U1gfJf6Y8vONJwp6s2o0ElLXSa3cQ#PPA112,M1] After Rutherford's death, the Watchtower Society maintained the property for a few years [cite journal|journal=Colliers|title=Jehovah's Traveling Salesmen|author=Bill Davidson|date=November 22, 1946|pages=75|url=http://cchasson.free.fr/deposit/doc/1946_Jehovah's_Traveling_Salesmen.pdf] , but then sold Beth Sarim in 1948. [ [http://www.jwfacts.com/index_files/bethsarim.htm Beth-Sarim, House of Princes] ] The belief that the "princes" would be resurrected before Armageddon was abandoned in 1950. ["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."cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|year=1993|publisher=Watchtower|pages=76 See also cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose|year=1959|publisher=Watchtower|pages=252-253|url=http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/divinepurpose/1959_Jehovah's_Witnesses_in_the_Divine_Purpose.pdf] [For reactions to the announcement of the change of belief, see "The 'Princes' Are Here" in cite book|title=1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses|publisher=Watchtower|year=1974|pages=213-214 cite book|title=Visions of Glory: A History and a Memory of Jehovah's Witnesses|author=Barbara Grizzuti Harrison|publisher=Simon & Schuster|pages=180-181, 269-270|year=1978|url=http://www.exjws.net/vg.htm] In 1954, Watch Tower spokesman Frederick William Franz explained the reason for the sale of Beth Sarim under questioning at a trial in Scotland:

cquote|Q.- What has become of the mansion?A.- It has been sold.

Q.- Why?

A.- Because it was there, and the prophets had not yet come back to occupy it, to make use of it, and the Society had no use for it at the time, it was in charge of a caretaker, and it was causing expense, and our understanding of the Scriptures opened up more, and more concerning the Princes, which will include those prophets, and so the property was sold as serving no present purpose. [ [http://www.a2z.org/wtarchive/docs/Walsh_Trial.pdf Douglas Walsh vs. The Right Honorable James Latham Clyde, M. P. C.] , p. 120]

The house still stands today, under private ownership and has been designated Historical Landmark number 474 by the City of San Diego. [ [http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/programs/historical/pdf/register.pdf Historical Landmarks Designated by the San Diego Historical Resources Board] ]

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*Eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses
*History of Jehovah's Witnesses

References

External links

* [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Beth+Sarim+San+Diego&ie=UTF8&t=p&layer=c&cbll=32.771054,-117.099355&panoid=u-B-4alETsdUkPHw8IC2nw&cbp=2,57.54316059199738,,0,-11.833187963102405&ll=32.806755,-117.091599&spn=0.056558,0.16737&z=13 Google Maps Street View of Beth Sarim]
* [http://www.seanet.com/~raines/crypt.html Rutherford's Unfinished Burial Crypt at Beth Sarim]
* [http://www.adam.com.au/bstett/JwBethSarim95.htm The Story of Beth Sarim]
* [http://www.freeminds.org/women/barb_bethsarim.htm 1993 Visit to Beth Sarim--Audio and Pictures]
* [http://www.geocities.com/paulblizard/deed.html Rutherford's Lavish Lifestyle] --Critical Interpretation of Beth Sarim
* [http://www.witnessinc.com/beth_sarim.html Beth Sarim and the Other House]