2 Rewards of the post-1881 Consecrators

Since October 1881 there have been special calls that have been
responded to by many new consecrators, some of whom have been begotten of
the Spirit in order to be assigned crowns forfeited by others because of
insufficient faithfulness or unfaithfulness. (Matt 20:1-7; Volume 3
219-225; Epiphany Volume 5 chapter 2).

Thus some -- comparatively few in comparison to the large number of post-1881 consecrators -- have been fully faithful amid severe testings unto and until death, and so have eventually been given crowns by the Lord (Rev 2:10; 7:1-8). Others, who have not been fully faithful, but loyal at heart to the end, have received their eternal reward in the Great Multitude (Rev. 7: 9-17). Still others, who have been unfaithful went into the Second Death.

It is obvious that with the comparatively few exceptions just mentioned
-- the post-1881 consecrators were not Spirit-begotten, ... were never
assigned crowns of unfaithful ones. What about the hopes and rewards of
this large number of surplus consecrators? Are they in many cases after
faithfully following Christ and even enduring much self-denial and
suffering for His sake until death to have no greater reward than the
non-elect, who come in under the easier conditions in the Mediatorial reign
and go up the Highway of Holiness and obtain everlasting life on earth?
Bro Russell left us in no doubt about such consecrators and their
rewards, which is far higher than that of the non-elect. He wrote this in
Z4836, pars. 3-5...

"But suppose that some should present themselves after the close of
the acceptable time; what would be their status and God's dealing with
them? Since God is unchangeable, we must assume that He would always be
pleased to have his creatures devote their lives wholly and unreservedly to
the doing of his will, as He was pleased with the faithfulness of the
Ancient Worthies to lay down their lives before a covenant of sacrifices
was in force. We may reason that as God has promised human perfection to
those Ancient Worthies who laid down their lives, He would be willing
similarly to reward any who might follow the same course after the
completion of the church -- after the ending of the acceptable time of
sacrifice.
"Quite likely, therefore, there will be some in the end of this
age who, although faithful unto death, will not have been begotten of the
holy Spirit and not attain the spirit plane of being in the resurrection,
but who will come forth members of the same class as the Ancient Worthies,
who were developed before this age began."

In Z5761, he wrote this...

" THOSE CONSECRATING BETWEEN THE AGES

It is our thought that with the closing of the 'door' of this Gospel
Age there will be no more begetting of the holy Spirit to the spirit
nature. Any afterward coming to God through consecration, before the
inauguration of the restitution work, will be accepted by Him, not to the
spirit plane of being, but to the earthly plane. Such would come under the
same conditions as the Ancient Worthies who were accepted of God. The
Ancient Worthies came in, no call being opened to them -- the high calling
not being yet open, and the restitution opportunities not open. But they
freely gave themselves up to God without knowing what blessings their
consecration would bring, except that they had the intimation that they
would, in the future life, have a 'better resurrection' than would the
remainder of the world.
Our thought is that whoever under such conditions as these will make
a full consecration to the Lord, to leave all to follow His ways, and will
live up faithfully, loyally, to that consecration, may be privileged to be
counted as a similar class to those who preceded this Gospel Age. We know
of no reason why the Lord would refuse to receive those who make a
consecration after the close of the Gospel Age High Calling and before the
full opening of the Millennium."

In the Question Book, pg. 152 (compare w/ p. 153), he wrote this...

Q "If any consecrated now and failed to be begotten of the Holy
Spirit, where would the Lord place them?"

A "We would presume that if they were faithful, as the prophets of
old were faithful, to the extent of laying down their lives in the service
of righteousness and truth, that God would give them a share some way with
the Ancient Worthies. In other words, that if such should pass into the
time of trouble to a considerable degree, and there lose their lives
because of faithfulness to the Lord, that He would do just the same for
them that He will do for the Ancient Worthies - they will be counted in
with the Ancient Worthy class"

Again, in volume 6 , pg. 157, we read:

"Possibly they may be counted in with the Ancient Worthies who had
the sacrificing disposition that is pleasing to God, prior to the beginning
of the 'high calling'."

Thus, Bro Russell taught clearly that those consecrating after October
1881 for whom no crowns were available would if faithful be "a similar
class" to the Ancient Worthies and would share with them in similar nature
and reward.