No Salvation Until Russell?

The question has arisen in a Facebook group concerning Russell that left the impression that Russell in some way had taught that salvation was through him or through the Watch Tower Society. Indeed, we have at times come across others who have made similar statements. This evidently projects the JW teaching of coming to the organization for salvation back to Russell. One, evidently based on this assumption, asked if this would mean that no one was saved between the first century until Russell.

Our reply:

Russell believed that, due to the ransom sacrifice of Jesus, Adam and absolutely all of Adam's descendants are saved from the condemnation in Adam. Some related articles and studies from Russell's time related to this;
Lost and Saved
Our Lord's Return
Ransom and Restitution
The Fact and the Philosophy of the Atonement

Russell himself never taught that anyone had to come to him, or to the Watch Tower Society, for salvation. His belief was that salvation is only through Jesus, not through joining a denomination, a sect, or some organization such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, nor even in joining the Bible Students.

Unlike the JWs, Russell was a non-sectarian who believed that the true church is made up of people of all denominations that profess to be Christian. Russell preached against the idea that anyone (including himself) should assume divine authority over fellow Christians. We haven't found any place that Russell referred to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of his times as being an "organization", although as a corporation, internally it could have  been referred to as an organization. Russell, however, preached against such an organization such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, and would not allow the Watch Tower Society of his time to be used for such purposes.