The history of the 19th century Bible Student movement, with occasional more recent developments among those who stayed with the Watch Tower Society. A place for historians who love this subject. Not a place for polemics or for debating beliefs; simply history written as neutrally as possible. Enjoy! Some reprinted pieces first appeared on: truthhistory.blogspot.com
Sunday, 22 January 2023
JFR and the assembly hot dog
A postcard from Magdeburg from 1926. With grateful thanks to Markus who provided the image.
This is an earlier convention, from 1924, and a meal: *** yb74 p. 99 Part 1—Germany *** 1924 CONVENTION IN MAGDEBURG The biggest event of 1924 was the Magdeburg convention, attended by Brother Rutherford. Approximately 4,000 brothers and sisters from all over Germany came, some on bicycles. The most were unable to bring anything other than an inadequate box lunch along, for the entire nation was destitute. Many had no funds to pay for the trip and thousands had to stay home. Those traveling by bicycle had to reckon with a trip of several days. They also had only meager means available for food and accommodations. Many brought food along consisting primarily of dry bread. When during the talks the hunger pangs became severe, the brothers would pull out a piece of dry bread and take a bite. Brother Rutherford was so moved by this that he immediately made arrangements to provide each of the approximately 4,000 in attendance the next day with a pair of warm frankfurters, two buns and a bottle of mineral water free of charge. We can easily imagine the joy of those in attendance when suddenly large kettles full of frankfurters appeared at both ends of the auditorium where the assembly was being held. The brothers lined up to be served. Refreshed by the meal they had enjoyed together, they returned to their seats in the auditorium feeling like guests at a banquet.
JFR was in Germany for conventions almost every year. Here is an account from 1925 that even had beer during Prohibition in the US:
WT August 1, 1925 p. 233: Another place had been provided for feeding the multitude. Sandwiches, sausage, water, coffee and light beer were serwed at a nominal cost; and these dear souls would get some lunch in one hand and a mug in another and stand quietly about, eating their lunch. Then they would return to their seats in the meeting places. (From Benek)
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This is an earlier convention, from 1924, and a meal:
ReplyDelete*** yb74 p. 99 Part 1—Germany ***
1924 CONVENTION IN MAGDEBURG
The biggest event of 1924 was the Magdeburg convention, attended by Brother Rutherford. Approximately 4,000 brothers and sisters from all over Germany came, some on bicycles. The most were unable to bring anything other than an inadequate box lunch along, for the entire nation was destitute. Many had no funds to pay for the trip and thousands had to stay home. Those traveling by bicycle had to reckon with a trip of several days. They also had only meager means available for food and accommodations. Many brought food along consisting primarily of dry bread. When during the talks the hunger pangs became severe, the brothers would pull out a piece of dry bread and take a bite. Brother Rutherford was so moved by this that he immediately made arrangements to provide each of the approximately 4,000 in attendance the next day with a pair of warm frankfurters, two buns and a bottle of mineral water free of charge. We can easily imagine the joy of those in attendance when suddenly large kettles full of frankfurters appeared at both ends of the auditorium where the assembly was being held. The brothers lined up to be served. Refreshed by the meal they had enjoyed together, they returned to their seats in the auditorium feeling like guests at a banquet.
See also WT 01.07 1926 p. 197. Description of the 1926 convention.
ReplyDeleteJFR was in Germany for conventions almost every year. Here is an account from 1925 that even had beer during Prohibition in the US:
ReplyDeleteWT August 1, 1925 p. 233:
Another place had been provided for feeding the multitude. Sandwiches, sausage, water, coffee and light beer were serwed at a nominal cost; and these dear souls would get some lunch in one hand and a mug in another and stand quietly about, eating their lunch. Then they would return to their seats in the meeting places.
(From Benek)