in
The Watch Towers
from 1908 to 1916
Another claims that Brother Russell "was found guilty of selling phony 'Miracle Wheat' through his publication Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald’s of Christ’s Presence.."
Did Russell "discover" this wheat? Was Russell the one who named this wheat "Miracle Wheat"? Did any court ever find Russell guilty of selling phony wheat?
Additionally, many make it appear that it was Russell who named this wheat "miracle wheat." Russell reported that this name was appearing in the public press in the introduction of the article cited. While we cannot be certain who actually first called this wheat "miracle wheat," it appears that it may have originated from one of the newspaper reporters. Oddly, the wheat developed by Norman Borlaug in the 1960s is also referred to as "miracle wheat."
Much of the article Brother Russell presented quotes a report written by one identified as "Assistant Agriculturalist H. A. Miller." Mr. Miller evidently was with a branch of the United States government. One can find written works presented by H. A. Miller, so this was not just a made-up person. One can also find various newspaper articles relating to Miller's visit to Stoner's farm in Virginia.
At least one newspaper, The Perry County Democrat, claimed that Stoner had prayed for this wheat, stating of Mr. Stoner: "In answer to the prayers of many years, he [Stoner] says he has been rewarded with wealth -- nothing less remarkable than a mysterious kind of wheat which grows in poor ground and yields many times as much grain as the ordinary variety." In 1913, however, Stoner in court denied that he had prayed for this, or that he had called this wheat "miracle wheat." He stated he did not know who named the wheat "Miracle Wheat."
Nevertheless, we should again note that Russell himself is not the one making these claims; Russell simply quoted a newspaper article wherein these claims are made by others. Brother Russell, however, evidently -- at that time -- believed the claims regarding this wheat were true.
Again, it should be noted that it was not Russell who was making any of these claims, but rather Russell was simply quoting newspaper articles where others are making claims concerning these varieties of wheat.
The next article is found in The Watch Tower, June 15, 1910, page 203. It may be found online at: https://www.htdbv8.com/1910/r4634.htm.
In this article, Brother Russell only mentioned “miracle wheat” briefly, noting that “The new ‘miracle wheat’ sometimes produces more than two hundred grains from one.” This is stated as an illustration of good fruit bearing much fruit, as spoken of in the Bible. In what Russell stated regarding "miracle wheat," he was not making any new claim concerning this wheat that had not already been stated by others, as reported in the news media.
The only part that actually originates from him is the application of the blessings of restitution that is yet to come upon the world of mankind.
The Watch Tower
THE GREAT AND ETERNAL EDEN
“Referring to the ‘times of restitution’ of Messiah’s reign the Prophet declares, 'The earth shall yield her increase.' (Ezekiel 34:27) Behold preparations for the fulfillment of this promise: About three years ago a Virginia farmer found one abnormal bunch of 120 stalks of wheat from one root–the offspring of one grain of wheat. Under the name of ‘miracle wheat’ it is now being developed slowly in various parts–the average yield appears to be about 1,200 grains from one kernel. And this very year the same peculiarity in oats has been found–a bunch growing wild by the roadside.
According to the reports, however, the "miracle wheat" did indeed produce much greater quantities than regular wheat. The report from Bohnet does show the superior yield from miracle wheat as compared to the regular wheat.
One, however, may ask: Doesn't this article have Russell's own admission that he received money from the sale of this wheat? The idea that Russell personally kept the $100 mentioned has to be presumed. Most of the regular readers of the Watch Tower would know that Brother Russell referred to himself as receiving this money as editor of the Watch Tower on behalf of the Watch Tower Society.
In this short notice is the offer that is alleged by many to be Russell’s fraudulent sale of bogus "miracle wheat," by which it is alleged that Russell made himself rich by defrauding “his flock” with a deception, allegedly giving a name “Miracle Wheat” to ordinary wheat, allegedly making false claims for that wheat and selling that wheat at an exorbitant price. In reality, the claims of the Miracle Wheat had been long been presented in the news media, and there was no reason for Russell to have any doubts regarding those claims. Although many cite this notice and claim that Brother Russell called this when "mracle wheat", in reality, it was not Russell who named the wheat “Miracle Wheat”. As to the claims made for the wheat, Brother Bohnet had reported that from the two grains of wheat he had produced 1,312 grains of wheat, which is much more that Brother Russell spoke of.
Nevertheless, it was not Russell who offered the wheat for sale. In reality, it was not Russell who set the price for the wheat. It should also be noted that Brother Bohnet offered the wheat seeds for sale at a price lower than he had purchased such wheat from Mr. Stoner. Nevertheless, in the notice given in the Watch Tower, it was expressly stated that the proceeds from the sale of the wheat was to be donated, not to Russell himself, but rather to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. There was definitely no intent on Brother Russell's part to defraud anyone or to deceive anyone. Nor do we have any reason to believe that Bohnet sought to deceive anyone. We have no reason to think that he falsified the yields he reported.
MIRACLE WHEAT IN DEMAND
The notice in THE WATCH TOWER of June 15 that Brother Bohnet has “miracle wheat” in abundance now, and that he will sell it at $1 per pound and donate the entire proceeds to our Tract Fund, has brought in many orders. These will be filled between August 15 and September 1. No limit as to supply has been noted. Sent by Express, prepaid, the price will be twenty-two pounds for $20; fifty-five pounds for $50; larger quantities at the latter rate. The merits of this wheat over the common variety have been mentioned in previous issues of THE WATCH TOWER.
This announcement may be found online at; https://www.htdbv8.com/ZWT/zwt0267.htm
The above is a follow-up of the announcement made in the June 15 issue, letting those who placed orders for the wheat know when the orders may be filled. Again, it shows that it was Brother Bohnet, not Russell, who was selling the wheat. Again, it is noted that the proceeds were to be donated, not to Brother Russell, but to the Watch Tower Tract Fund.
In the Watch Tower, July 1, 1912, an article appeared in the Watch Tower entitled, "The Christian Church and Her Mission." In that article, it was stated "A few years ago a Virginia farmer found an abnormal stool of wheat — one hundred and forty-two stalks, each bearing a well-developed head — the offspring of a single grain of wheat! Under the name of “Miracle Wheat” it is now being developed slowly in various parts of the country." This statement does not offer anything new about Stoner's "miracle wheat," but simply repeats what Stoner claimed for the wheat.
The entire article may be found online at: https://www.htdbv8.com/1912/r5057.htm
At this point, we should note that on September 23, 1911, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle published a cartoon of Brother Russell and the sale of miracle wheat, as:
As a result of this cartoon, Brother Russell filed suit against the Eagle for libel. Some have wrongly reported that he filed for slander; this is incorrect. He filed suit for libel. Some have incorrectly claimed that Russell was sued, which is, of course, false.
The next article, entitled "As Deceivers and Yet True", is found in The Watch Tower, February 15, 1913, page 62. One may find the entire article online at: https://www.htdbv8.com/1913/r5189.htm
In this article, Brother Russell summarizes the results of his suit against the Eagle. Brother Russell first explains briefly why he became interested in Stoner's "miracle wheat. He then summarizes the court case explaining why he felt that the verdict given was "unjust." Brother Russell spoke of Jesus' appeal to the Law when he had been smitten (John 18:23), and he wrote about how the apostle Paul appealed to law for justice. (Acts 25:10) Like them, Brother Russell stated, he had "been refused the Law's protection." But Brother Russell reports that it is divine will "throughout this Gospel Age to allow his faithful servants to suffer reproaches and losses," and quotes or cites 1 Peter 2:23; John 18:11; Luke 22:42; 1 John 4:17; 2 Corinthians 6:8-10; Galatians 6:17; 2 Timothy 3:12; John 15:18,19.
Brother Russell stated: "Everything that was said respecting the wheat was fully proven at this trial by expert witnesses, interested and disinterested, and their testimony was not shaken." Of course, most people know nothing about those who testified regarding the veracity of the claims made for the wheat. Many do make much ado about the testimony of government experts who had done some "tests" on the wheat and found it to be inferior. We will present more related to this later.
Brother Russell reported:
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society was held up to scorn because it did not have any hospital work nor draw any revenue from taxation, and because the female members of the Society do not visit the workshops of the land weekly or monthly on pay-day, and exact donations to its work. Our society was held up to scorn also because we do not send a wagon around the city collecting groceries and provisions for the up-keep of our work; because we do not take up collections even on Sunday; because we have never solicited a penny or a dollar from anybody; and because we never have fairs, grab-bags, “chances” or “raffles.” Our Society was held up to scorn and ridicule because it offers its literature free to the poor, while other similar Societies charge both rich and poor for their tracts and other publications. The Eagle was pictured by its attorney as a dove, a bird of Paradise. For defending it the Protestants on the Jury were led to hope for escape from eternal torment through “the pearly gates” of heaven, welcomed with the words, “Well done!” for giving The Eagle the verdict. Neither I nor my attorneys could offer such inducements conscientiously.
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