The cross represents our faith in the death of Christ and our desire to walk in His steps; the crown represents the reward of glory, honor and immortality; and the wreath around the cross and crown represents the Restitution blessings coming to the world of mankind.
Cross-bearing is closely related to self-denial, and yet a distinction between them may be noted.... We exhort,... [that] they may learn the full meaning of self-consecration and immolation which our Lord's words signify: and that they be not content with the wearing of a cross as an ornament, but grasp fully and clearly the purport of the Master's words respecting the true cross-bearing, that in due time they may also attain to the crown-bearing promised as a reward to the faithful.
Our point here is, however, that this usage of the cross and crown symbolism is simply Biblical; it symbolizes suffering with Christ if one wishes to receive the crown of joint-heirship with Christ. Such usage is not related to the Knights Templar and definitely offers no reason to imagine and assume that Russell's usage of the cross and crown has to mean that he was a member of an organization (Knights Templar) that teach almost the opposite doctrine from what Brother Russell presented. Many may not realize that in order to be a member of the Knights Templar, one has to accept the traditional trinitarian creeds. The message that Russell spent nearly his entire life preaching and defending is definitely not in harmony with those creeds.
Brother Russell's usage of the Biblical cross and crown illustration definitely has nothing at all to do with promoting heathen occultism, mysticism, spiritism, etc.
Excerpt: WAS there ever a nobler soldier of the Cross than St. Paul – the Redeemer alone excepted? ... St. Paul, copying his Master, laid down his life for Jew and Gentile, bond and free, male and female, to assist in gathering the "elect" to be the Bride of Christ – that ultimately through the glorified King and his glorified Bride, all the families of the earth may receive the blessing which God waits to give to "all the families of the earth, through Abraham's Seed." – Galatian 3:29.
Christ Within (poem)
O WHAT, if we are Christ's,Is earthly shame or loss?Bright shall the crown of glory beWhen we have borne the cross.
No Cross, No Crown (Poem)
Thou canst not hope to wear the Crown,If thou refuse the Cross!"
Excerpt: The crown mentioned, the Apostle had seen for many years with the eye of his faith as a part of the Lord's promise.... That crown had been his cause of rejoicing for many years, not because of pride or ambition, but because of love and benevolence. He would love to receive that crown because it would be the mark of Divine appreciation and love for him; and a mark of his faithfulness.
Again, in the article linked to, we find that the cross and symbolism is simply shown to be Biblical. Paul certainly provides an example of bearing one's cross in order to receive the crown of becoming joint-heirs with Christ.
The New Creature's Resurrection BegunExcept: Some of us wear what is known as a Cross and Crown Pin. The cross represents our faith in the death of Christ and our desire to walk in His steps; the crown represents the reward of glory, honor and immortality; and the wreath around the cross and crown represents the Restitution blessings coming to the world of mankind. -- Harvest Gleanings, Vol. 3, page 721.
Comments: These few words directly refer to the Biblical cross and crown symbolism, and Brother Russell gives a clear statement as to what this symbolism means, all of which is in harmony with the Bible. Nothing in it is referring to any Masonic rituals, the Knights Templar, nor any form of Satanism, heathenism, etc.
The Refiner's Fire (Poem)Excerpt:Ah, no! but He saw thro' the present crossThe bliss of eternal gain.
Indirectly, this poem also illustrates the Biblical usage of the cross and crown.
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