Joseph Rutherford in Beth-Sarim

The intent of Beth-Sarim was for those resurrected early that would be princes in all the Earth. Moses, Abraham, David etc were expected to be returned to life in the 1920's. That was the understanding at the time. Brother Rutherford bought property in California and Beth-Sarim was created. This was where these resurrected ones were to live. Of course, the thinking was far too early, so when Brother Rutherford got sick it turned into his retirement home and a place of rest and ease for him. After his death the property was sold for profit. Although at the time of purchase and the reason for such seems odd to us today. Jehovah ended up using the property to the benefit of the organization.

In 1941, when working isolated territory in western Kentucky, we attended the zone (now circuit) assembly at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. While preparing the evening meal in the cafeteria I was called to answer a long-distance telephone call offering me the privilege of helping to nurse Brother Rutherford, then very ill in a hospital in Elkhart, Indiana. Shocked by news of his illness, overwhelmed by tremendous responsibility I would be expected to shoulder, my first reaction was to refuse; but, ever fearful of refusing an assignment for fear another would not be given, I prayerfully accepted. At once I left the assembly headquarters and made the necessary preparations for my new duties, upon which I entered thirty-six hours later when I entered the sick room of our stricken brother. A week later I was privileged to accompany Brother Rutherford and his party to California, where we lived in Beth-Sarim, the “House of the Princes,” for the next eight weeks until his death January 8, 1942. Had I not been a pioneer that unusual and precious service would not have been mine, as all his associates and helpers were from ranks of full-time workers.
(w55 11/1 pp 653-656)

Brother Rutherford, 72 years of age, survived the surgery. Shortly thereafter he was taken to a residence in California he had named Beth-Sarim. It was evident to his loved ones, and to medical experts, that he would not recover. In fact, he required further surgery.
(Proclaimers Book Chapter 7 Page 72)

Often we preached near Beth-Sarim, which was where the ailing president of the Watch Tower Society, Brother Rutherford, had spent the winters before his death in 1942. We visited regularly and had dinner with the full-time servants there. Such happy visits made me decide that this was truly the kind of life I wanted. I then made Gilead School and missionary service my goal in life.
(W92 3/1 pp 26-30)