From WT, March 1914, (R5410): AS TO THOSE CONSECRATING SINCE EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-ONE
"Some have been concerned as to what evidence, if any, a person consecrating himself since 1881 would have that his consecration had been accepted of God. We would say regarding that that something would depend on how recently the person had made the consecration. If very recently, he would have no sure means of determining. If a year or two had passed, and he hat not in the meantime received any evidences of the holy Spirit's begetting--if he had not received increased ability to understand and appreciate the truth; if he had not experienced a love for the truth and a desire to serve it; if he had not found some opportunity for serving the truth, and some experiences of trial--in such case he would have reason to doubt the divine acceptance of his consecration..."
"The evidences seem to be that there are still quite a number of vacancies in the elect number, because there are people coming into present truth and consecrating who have come directly from the world. This would seem to indicate that there are not at present a sufficient number fully consecrated to complete the 144,000. If there were, these would be given the preference over those not consecrated."
This reference from Bro. Russell considers those individuals consecrating since 1881, not 1878.
