How many divisions are there among the Bible Students? That is a difficult question to answer, for not all interpret the term division as meaning exactly the same thing. Let us think of it from the standpoint of ecclesias and the viewpoints of ecclesias. When we do this, we do not find so many divisions as some might expect. In city after city throughout America, as well as other parts of the world, there are but the two groups—those who are with the original organization and those who are not.

In a few places there are small ecclesias who follow their favorite leader; but only a very small minority of the brethren is involved. At a national convention of one such group there were but  thirty ­five in  attendance.  In a very few localities we find a small group of brethren who meet by themselves because of differing views on the covenants and related subjects. But here again the number involved is very small. Here and there today, even as was the case  in the time of Brother Russell, we find two classes in a city, both groups believing essentially the same things, but divided because of conflicting personalities.

These conditions, of course, are lamentable; but God’s harvest work in the earth has not failed, as some would have us believe. It is a tribute to the power of the truth, and to the depth of consecration on the part of God’s people, that after so many years of severe trial, through confusion and disappointment, thousands of Bible Students are still aglow with zeal for the Lord and for that blessed meat in due season—the truth which was served to the household of faith by “that servant.”