From 1889 (Studies in the Scriptures vol. 2) through the 1922 Watch Tower and Rutherford's Prophecy (1929), Watch Tower publications taught that Christ's second presence began in 1874.
Claim ID claim-doctrine-presence-1874-taught-1889-1929Concerns 1889Explicit statement
The organisation’s position or later explanation: The Proclaimers book (1993) p. 133 acknowledges Russell 'came to be persuaded that Christ's invisible presence had begun in 1874'.
1889 · p.170 · C. T. Russell · Tower Publishing Co. / Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“The next chapter will present Bible evidence that 1874 A. D. was the exact date of the beginning of the “Times of Restitution,” and hence of our Lord's return.”
Follows the statement that the Gentile Times end in 1914; the running head 'Manner of the Second Advent. 171' follows the sentence, placing it on p. 170.
Provenance and verification note for Millennial Dawn / Studies in the Scriptures, vol. 2 — The Time Is at Hand, Study V, closing paragraph (introducing Study VI on 1874)
Scan provenance. Internet Archive item 'TheTimeIsAtHandByCharlesTazeRussell' (file '1889_The_Time_Is_At_Hand_1st_Ed'); OCR text downloaded and searched. Public domain.
1 November 1922 · pp.c. 333 (cited by secondary sources; OCR page numbers not legible) · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“Since he has been present from 1874, it follows, from the facts as we now see them, that the period from 1874 to 1914 is the day of preparation.”
Same issue also states 'Since 1874 the King of glory has been present; … Since 1914 the King of glory has taken his power and reigns.' The 15 Nov 1922 issue adds: 'According to all the Scriptural evidence, Jesus was due to make his second appearance in 1874.' (The sentence 'Jesus was due to make his second appearance in 1874' is preceded in the OCR by a 1 December 1922 token, so its issue is not confirmed.)
Provenance and verification note for The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ's Presence, (articles in the 1 November 1922 issue, Vol. XLIII No. 21)
Confidence note. Scan opened; wording and issue (1 Nov 1922) confirmed from the volume's issue headers. Exact page could not be read from the OCR — treat 'p. 333' as secondary.
Scan provenance. Internet Archive item (bound 1922 volume, 'faithmagazines' collection); OCR text downloaded and searched; issue headers located.
1929 · pp.65-66 · J. F. Rutherford · Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
“The Scriptural proof is that the second presence of the Lord Jesus Christ began in 1874 A.D.”
The sentence runs across the p. 65/66 break ('This proof [66] is specifically set out in the booklet entitled Our Lord's Return'); the book's index lists 'Dates, 1874 A.D., 65'.
A direct link to this claim is https://jwtruth.org/evidence/claim-doctrine-presence-1874-taught-1889-1929/. Every source above opens the original document or the best available copy. If you believe the wording, date or context is wrong, report an error.