Tuesday, December 27, 2016

The Miracle Wheat Story - Part 1

Miracle Wheat
in
The Watch Towers
from 1908 to 1916

By Ronald R. Day, Sr
This study is not connected with nor sponsored by the “Jehovah’s Witnesses

Many false claims are being made about Charles Taze Russell regarding “Miracle Wheat”. Often, many use words like conman, charlatan, quack, etc., in reference to Miracle Wheat and Brother Russell. Usually, Brother Russell is misquoted and/or misrepresented in these attacks on his reputation and character. Read for yourself the following articles and see what Brother Russell actually wrote.

One claims concerning Brother Russell: "He had, in 1908, discovered a particular strain of wheat, which he called 'Miracle Wheat.'" Similar claims often pop up, especially on internet forums and social groups.

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? 

The first article appeared in The Watch Tower, March 15, 1908, page 86. This can be found online at:
There are several things we note from this article as related to claims often made about Brother Russell and "miracle wheat." The claim is often made that Brother Russell created this miracle wheat, and thus it is referred to as being Russell's "miracle wheat" and that it also often claimed that Brother Russell created many false claims about the wheat. On one site we find an author who speaks of 'Russell's Miracle Wheat' while actually reprinting the above article, but evidently without any thought that the article contradicts the idea that this wheat was Russell's wheat.  

It should be easy to see from the above that Russell was not the one who discovered this wheat, nor was he the one who originated the claims for this wheat, nor was he the one who gave this wheat the name, “Miracle Wheat”. The man who discovered this wheat is identified as Mr. Stoner (Kenneth Stoner), who was not associated with the work of Brother Russell. It was Mr. Stoner who made the original claims concerning the wheat. Please note the above newspaper report also quotes a report from the U.S. government which gives confirmation of those claims.

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.

It was later claimed that Stoner changed the wording of Miller's report. According the claim, Miller originally stated that Stoner's wheat yielded from 3 to 5 bushels more than other varieties. The report that appeared in the newspapers reads "two to three times more than other varieties." If this was actually changed from the original report, we cannot say for a certainty, however, if this change was actually made by Stoner himself, or if it might have been changed by someone at the news agencies. Of course, if the government report as given in the newspapers had been changed, Brother Russell had no knowledge of such, and he had no reason to question the report as given in the newspapers. 

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."

Some, however, have treated the words that Brother Russell quoted from this newspaper article as though these were the words of Russell himself, and also that the claims reported regarding Stoner's wheat originated from Russell himself. If one reads the article closely, one should see that this is not the case.

The final part, however, is no longer quoting the newspaper report, and is Russell's own thoughts regarding how this wheat may be utilized in the age to come. Many make much ado about Russell's statement, as though he were setting forth some dogma. In reality, it should be apparent that Brother Russell was simply presenting this as a suggestion. He certainly wasn't presenting his thoughts as being dogma that all Bible Students had to accept.

The next article we will consider is from The Watch Tower, July 15, 1908, page 214. This article may be found online at: https://www.htdbv8.com/1908/r4203b.htm.

This article is not often quoted by those who misrepresent Brother Russell regarding Miracle wheat. Nevertheless, what is presented  is clearly identified as being reprinted from the Beloit Free Press. This appears to not be the same variety of wheat that Stoner discovered. It is referred to as "Alaska" wheat, and reported to have been discovered by Allen Adams of Minnesota. Later, however, it was reported that the claims made for this wheat had been repudiated by government "experts." (See below)

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. 

Next, we look at the article that appeared in The Watch Tower, October 1, 1908, page 291. One can find this online at: https://www.htdbv8.com/1908/r4250.htm

Here we find a report of even another person, W. W. Ward, who had claimed to discover a "new" wheat.  The final part was evidently added by Brother Russell, stating the "Alaska" wheat, referred in the article quoted in July 15, 1908 issue of the Watch Tower, had been repudiated by Government experts. 

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 next article is from The Watch Tower, July 15, 1909, which may be found online at: https://www.htdbv8.com/1909/r4431.htm

Again, although the above is not a direct quote from someone else, Russell simply related what others had reported. This article tells of experiments in wheat cultivation in Russia that had brought forth good results.

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. 

This next is an excerpt from:
The Watch Tower
September 1, 1910, page 279
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.
Here Brother Russell is using the "miracle wheat" as an illustration of the Biblical promise that the earth is to yield her increase. Again, however, he is simply repeating what had been reported by others regarding that "miracle wheat." The claims stated did not originate from Russell himself. The entire article may be found at: https://www.htdbv8.com/1910/r4672.htm

We next consider an article that appeared in The Watch Tower, October 1, 1920, page 307, which may be found online at: https://www.htdbv8.com/1910/r4688.htm

Again, although Russell repeats the claims of others concerning miracle wheat, and he presents reports from two fellow Bible Students who gave their personal remarks regarding miracle wheat, Russell does not present any claims apart from reporting what others have claimed.

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.

Nevertheless, if the matter had ended with the above, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle would not have had any basis for their later slander of Russell regarding "miracle wheat." Of course, if the Eagle was intent on denigrating Brother Russell, it is possible that the Eagle could have found some other way to do so. Nevertheless, the events that follow did provide the Eagle with ammunition that could be easily distorted so as to attack Brother Russell.

A small notice appeared in The Watch Tower of June 15, 1911, page 178, which can be found online at: http://mostholyfaith.com/Beta/bible/Reprints/r.asp?file=audio1106.txt#Z178:12.

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. 



Here is the next announcement from:
The Watch Tower
August 1, 1911, page 226
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. 


Continued in Part 2 * Part 3

See also:
Updated 3/27/2009; 5/17/2014; 09/2021





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