Summarizing Reddit Comments on "Charles Taze Russell"

Overview of Charles Taze Russell

Charles Taze Russell is not considered a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
He preached a gospel he believed was distorted by man-made doctrines and creeds.
He was not a prophet and never claimed special authority.
His training spanned around nine years before he started publishing Watch Tower magazine.
He did not predict the end of the world in 1914 but expected a time of trouble to begin around that time.

Russell was a student of Bible prophecy and presented his conclusions but did not claim infallibility.
He believed Christ returned in 1874 and expected the time of trouble to start in 1914.
His intentions were considered good, but due to ignorance and contextual influences, errors were made.
Russell aimed to restore what he believed was the original gospel preached by the apostles.
His teachings were influenced by biblical prophecies and the need to correct past errors based on new knowledge from the Bible.

Some view Russell as a Florida man who invented a religion, while others question his title as the "greatest preacher."
He was criticized for profit-making through selling phonographs and a cure for cancer.
There were references to controversies surrounding Russell, such as his role as a businessman profiting from various ventures.
Some comments reflect skepticism about the exalted image of Russell compared to his actual practices and beliefs.

Comments also touched on topics related to the credibility of Russell's predictions, the evolution of Jehovah's Witnesses after his passing, and the controversies surrounding the origin of the religion.
There were references to news articles and historical accounts that shed more light on Russell's activities and beliefs.