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Second Adversities
About 1869, 17-year-old Russell attended a meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania of a group he called "Second Adventists" and heard Advent Christian preacher Jonas Wendell expound his views on Bible prophecy. -
Russell and Barbour publish Three Worlds
The book, Three Worlds and the Harvest of This World, was published in early 1877. It articulated ideas that remained the teachings of Russell's associates for the next 40 years, many of which are still embraced by Jehovah's Witnesses -
Russell begins publishing Watch Tower
He began publishing his own monthly magazine, Zion's Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence (now known as The Watchtower), which he sent to all the subscribers of the Herald, disputing Barbour's teaching -
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is founded
In 1881, Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society was formed as an unincorporated administrative agency for the purpose of disseminating tracts, papers, doctrinal treatises and Bibles, with "Pastor" Russell, as he was by then called, as secretary and William Henry Conley as president. -
Photo-Drama of Creation released
In 1914, Russell released an eight-hour-long film, The Photo-Drama of Creation, that attempted to portray chronologically the history of the world from creation to the millennial reign of Christ. -
Third schism The name changes to Jehovah's witnesses
In 1931, the name Jehovah's witnesses was adopted, further cutting ties with Russell's earlier followers.