He was baptized in 1906 as a Bible Student — the designation Jehovah’s Witnesses were then known by — was appointed the Society’s legal counsel the following year, and became its president in January 1917.
Ta ristiti aastal 1906 kui piibliuurija (nimetus, mille all Jehoova tunnistajaid sel ajal tunti), määrati järgmisel aastal ühingu õigusnõunikuks ning sai 1917. aasta jaanuaris Vahitorni ühingu presidendiks.