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James Stuart Russell M.A., D.Div., (1816 – 1895) was a Christian pastor and author of The Parousia.
The book was originally published in 1878 under title The Parousia: A Critical Inquiry into the New Testament Doctrine of Our Lord's Second Coming with a second edition published in 1887.
Russell was born in Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland, on November 28, 1816. He entered King's College, University of Aberdeen at the age of twelve and completed his M.A. degree at eighteen. Due the influence of his older brother, Russell chose to pursue Christian ministry. He served in a law office for a time before studying in the Theological Halls of Edinburgh and Glasgow, ultimately finding his way to Cheshunt College.
In June 1843, Russell became an assistant minister at the Congregationalist Church in Great Yarmouth before taking over as minister. In 1857, Russell transferred to the Congregational Church in Tottenham and Edmonton. While holding this position, Russell visited Belfast to observe the Ulster revival and came under its influence. On his return, a similar revival occurred in his own church.
After a five-year term with his second church, Russell moved to a new church in the rapidly growing suburb of Bayswater, and a new chapel was built on Lancaster Road in 1866. Russell continued to serve this church until his retirement near the end of 1888.
Russell was involved in several national campaigns. He was present at the formation of the Evangelical Alliance, in 1843 and worked with it for the remainder of his life. He was an outspoken proponent of the Temperance Movement and was the first chairman of the Congregational Total Abstinence Association. He was also a member of the National Temperance League and the United Kingdom Alliance counted him among their members.
Russell became convinced of Preterism and after several years, he began to speak and write on the subject. He described how the matter came to him as a revelation and that when he discovered the key to the mystery, the whole theme gradually unfolded.
In 1878, he anonymously published The Parousia, containing an exegesis on sections of the New Testament concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Another edition followed showing his name as the author.
The book is written in three parts; the Parousia in the Gospels, the Parousia in the Acts and the Epistles and the Parousia in the Apocalypse.[1]
This work drew much attention to the subject on both sides of the Atlantic. The University of Aberdeen showed its appreciation of the book by conferring a Diploma in Divinity on Russell.
Russell's later years were marked with ill health. During his sickness, he is quoted as having repeated the phrase, "On Christ the solid rock I stand!" His two children assisted him during his later years. He died on October 5, 1895, and was buried in the Kensal Green Cemetery.
