[jones]

Cuenta una leyenda betelita, que los cercanos al pastor Russell, contaban luego de su muerte, que en numerosas ocasiones él habría vivido episodios de pánico, no precisamente causados porque temiera al FIN del ‘Mundo Conocido’ profetizado por él para el año 1914, sino más bien porque temía ser asesinado, siendo una de sus mayores preocupaciones morir por envenenamiento. Aunque  esto no está documentado y siempre permaneció como un rumor en los pasillos de la organización, sí existe un Extraño Código Watchtower que subyace en la agonía del predicador. Según documenta la empresa, habría pedido antes de fallecer, ser vestido con sábanas, que simulasen una TOGA ROMANA, dando él las instrucciones, horas antes de la noche de Halloween (dos sábanas enganchadas y amarradas en un hombro).  No era primera vez que presentía una muerte inminente, en esta ocasión no se equivocó.

“Por favor háganme una Toga Romana”
Watch Tower, 1 Diciembre de 1916, página 365.

   

When asked about the Seventh Volume, he said, "Someone else can write that." Later he said that others would smite the waters of Jordan. A rather remarkable thing occurred on Monday morning— the day before his death, when he asked Brother Sturgeon to make a Roman Toga for him, which consisted or two sheets folded about twelve inches on the top, one In front and one on the
back, pinned on either shoulder. After this was arranged he laid down on the couch in the drawing room and closed his eyes. Immediately Brother Sturgeon understood this to mean that death was near. It Is interesting to note that the Toga was worn by those who had kept their vows and finished their work in
triumph. At 2:30 Tuesday afternoon he peacefully breathed his last. The body was taken from the train and prepared for burial and placed aboard the next train coming east.
 
 
CARTA ANUNCIANDO LA MUERTE DE CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL
 
 https://archive.org/stream/LetterAnnounc...1/mode/2up

"Seven hours before his death, addressing his traveling companion, Brother Menta Sturgeon, he {Russell] said: 'Make me a Roman toga.' Using the bed sheets, Brother Sturgeon made a toga, which Brother Russell put on himself. He stood erect for a moment, and then lying down on the couch in his Pullman drawing room, closed his eyes, thus in symbolical language speaking of death. A great deal of the Bible is written in symbolical language, and it was quite appropriate that he should speak his last message in symbols. It is interesting here to know what a Roman toga symbolizes. Augustus Poet Laureate said: 'It is by the toga that the royal nation is recognized.' The word toga means a covering garment (white robe). It was the official robe of higher magistrates, priests and of persons discharging vows, and was worn on special occasions, such as celebrating a triumph...By wearing the toga Brother Russell in effect said, 'I have fought the good fight; I have triumphed and shall be received as a member of the Royal Family of heaven.' "
BIOGRAFÍA DEL PASTOR RUSSELL pag. 20 y 21.
https://archive.org/details/BiographyOfPastorRussell