Since these orders enjoin secrecy upon their members ( I remember seeing my father's literature that said that if they revealed the truth to outsiders they would be hanged drawn and quartered or their entrails burnt in front of them or something hideous), it is unlikely that, even if he were a member, he would say so, or that the Order would admit he had been a member. Various attempts have been made to link him to the masons, but apart from the use of some Masonic symbols, and a reference to a sermon that he preached where he said: "...the Lord Jesus, the grand and everlasting Head and Master of this Order...the Grand Master....We are not hindered from telling the ultimate purposes of this grand Secret Order which our Lord organized..." there is not a lot of unequivocal evidence. In his writings, Russell denounced the Freemasons and the Templars, but was buried in a pyramid with a templar symbol (cross inside the crown, surrounded by a wreath) on the top. He also requested to die in a toga, a strange request which could be interpreted as something to do with a secret society's rules. http://www.geocities.com/endtimedeception/templar.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Taze_Russell Here is a site which defends him, and surprisingly is not mainline JW: http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/adrianbiblestudents/russell.html

If he was, he had an odd way of showing it. He wrote numerous times that he knew nothing about the groups practices, wasn't involved with them and even that he thought they were evil. http://www.pastor-russell.com/life/mason1.html

No, Charles Taze Russell definitely was NOT even a member of the freemasons organization, much less a 33rd degree freemason. Charles Taze Russell was buried under a pyramid. His tombstone can be seen at: http://www.pastor-russell.com/images/grave.jpg There is no evidence whatsoever that Charles Taze Russell was ever member of the freemasons organization, and thousands of pages of evidence that show that he was not a member of the freemasons organization. The cross and crown symbol is not a freemasons symbol, although the Knights Templar adopted similar symbology from traditional Christian usage of that symbolism. The Rosemont United Cemetery is not a Masonic cemetery, although the Masons did build a Lodge across the street from the cemetery. Russell's usage of a Roman toga has nothing at all to do with any occultic ritual. Before he died, Russell asked Sturgeon to use the bed sheets to form a toga, which Russell wrapped around himself, after which he died. Russell, of course, could not tell us why he asked for this, but a later author tells us: "A great deal of the Bible is written in symbolic language, and it was quite appropriate that he should speak his last message in symbols. It is interesting here to know what a Roman toga symbolizes: Augustus' Poet Laureate, said, 'It is by the toga that the royal nation is recognized.' The word toga means a covering garment (white robe). It was the official robe of higher magistrates, priests and of persons discharging vows, and was worn on special occasions, such as celebrating a triumph." This was published in a work called "The Laodicean Messenger", 1923 (The Bible Educational Institute), author's name not given. The author believed that Brothr Russell was "messenger" of the Laodicean church, a view that I and many other Bible Students do not share. I am not sure the Roman toga ever actually assumed the exclusive meaning as attached to it above: http://www.romegiftshop.com/romantoga.html If Brother Russell did indeed specifically ask for a "Roman Toga", I believe he probably meant it as a "sign of peace," as though to say, "Although I am about to die, I am at peace." "Because the toga was not worn by soldiers, it was regarded as a sign of peace." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toga#Significance At any rate, I could not find anything that actually suggests any kind of demonic occult ritualism involved in its being worn. Additionally, I cannot say for sure that Russell actually asked for a "Roman toga", as reported by Sturgeon, or if that is the interpretation that Sturgeon (or possibly Rutherford) placed upon whatever Russell actually did say. I believe that it is quite possible that Russell just wanted to wrap himself in some sheets to help keep himself warm, and, when he died, Sturgeon (or possibly Rutherford) may have interpreted his request as being related to a Roman toga. For more information regarding Russell, see: http://ctr.reslight.net

Hmmm,sort of doesn't make any sense.Deny your a Mason publicly for years, be involved in a sordid conspiracy w/ the Masons to 'plant' a new Christian religion;then upon your death pique everyone's interest with that monolith of a tombstone. I mean,many will say "so what...he's dead he doesn't care anymore that's why." But if the Masons were also involved wouldn't they go to a little more lengths to try to not give up the ghost? The whole thing's just ODD. You could honestly argue both ways. Russell says he was not a Mason.I don't know. But I have honestly sometimes found his wording suspicious.(Mason jargon in his speeches and literature) However, Russell's father WAS a 33rd degree Mason. He could have picked up some things from dear old dad, or he could have been a member. There's one account out there that claims that he was, but once he got to the higher degrees and realized how occult-based the organization was; he left in disgust, and started pursuing Christianity doggedly. This is supposedly an account w/in Russell's family. Again if it's the truth or not:'?' I know this is not a definitive answer. But, if anyone wishes to be honest w/you, all they can do is tell you what they know, or have uncovered, and let you decide. Good Luck. lol.

He was created & manipulated by the masons. My 2 cents.