11/7/18 Periodicals and The pen is mighty Institutions • Religious journals, books and pamphlets during the early stages of the Restoration Movement had a tremendous • Class 9 influence. • Mike Baker • Editors did much of the writing and usually had strong • Concord Street Church of Christ positions on issues of the day. • 2018 • Positive: General religious information, devotional articles, reports from efforts, exposure of error. • Negative: Some were intolerant and dogmatic, jealousy and envy arose, factions and party-ism. No shortage of publications Periodicals – Pre Civil War • Harding Graduate School of Religion has a database with 113 journals published in the early restoration and the churches • The Herald of Gospel Liberty (1808-1815) of Christ today. • The Christian Baptist (1823-1830) • Alexander Campbell lamented the fact that so many • The Christian Messenger (1826-1845) unqualified men rushed into publishing. • Millennial Harbinger (1830-1870) • Many early journals ceased due to financial difficulties. • The Christian Review (1844-1853) • Formats ranged from weekly, monthly and quarterly, but • The American Christian Review (1856-) weekly was the most popular. • Gospel Advocate (1855-) • Evangelist (1832-1842) Periodicals – The Herald of Gospel Liberty Post Civil War (1808-1815) • Christian Standard (1866-) • Published by Elias Smith • The Christian or The Christian • His autobiography said it was “the Evangelist (1882-) world’s first religious newspaper.” • Lard’s Quarterly (1864-1868) • Purpose: reporting news of revivals, • Apostolic Times promoting religious liberty. • Firm Foundation (1884-2010) • Christian Quarterly 1 11/7/18 The Christian Baptist The Christian Baptist (1823-1830) (1823-1830) • Alexander Campbell’s first paper, • 32 articles from 1825-1829 on “The published on his own press at his home. Ancient Order of Things” laid out • Said to have produced the greatest restoration thought. revolution in thought in the 1800s. • In the Prospectus of the paper, Campbell • wrote that the purpose was “to espouse His reasoning led many influential men to the cause of no religious sect, excepting adopt restoration principles. that ancient sect called ‘Christians first in • “Raccoon” John Smith, Jacob Creath, Jr., Antioch,’ its sole object shall be the parents of David Lipscomb were all eviction of truth, and exposure of error in brought into the movement by this paper. doctrine and practice.” The Christian Messenger (1826-1845) The Christian Messenger (1826-1845) • Edited by Barton W. Stone. • The 1st issue included articles on Christian • Focus was on unity, opposed slavery liberty, the right for the individual and other issues. Christian to read and interpret the Bible • Started for two main reasons. for themselves independent of creeds. • Stone had a heavy correspondence • Co-editors included John T. Johnson and asking religious questions. Jacob Creath, Jr. • He also had a desire to carry news • 24 page monthly, published in regarding the establishment of new Georgetown, KY. congregations. Millennial Harbinger Millennial Harbinger (1830-1870) (1830-1870) • It was the major paper of influence in • Alexander Campbell’s second paper, taking the restoration movement, but the place of the Christian Baptist, began declining in readership by although they both were published for 7 1860. War and competing papers months in 1830. were reasons. • Contained essays, biblical exposition, • W. K. Pendleton, son-in-law, took topical discussions and news. over most duties in the late 1850’s and became editor before Campbell’s • Campbell saw this as a vehicle to promote death. religious reforms. • Published monthly, it was nearly • He urged cooperation between double in size compared to the congregations. Christian Baptist. 2 11/7/18 The American Christian Review (1856-) Christian Review • Edited by Benjamin Franklin, great-great-great (1844-1853) nephew of the publisher/patriot Franklin. • Tolbert Fanning began this in 1844. • Very conservative in positions. • Purpose was four fold • Spoke boldly against instrumental music and • Sentiments and beliefs of the church needed innovations. The most influential paper in the to be represented correctly. • Felt a need to call men back to the word of North after the Civil War. God as not many were practicing Christian • Later edited by Daniel Sommer, who changed religion. the name to the Octographic Review and then to • Churches of Christ in that region were not yet Apostolic Review. fully and scripturally organized. • This paper would be in a better position to • Today it is published under the American expose its readers to Christians from other Christian Review. regions. Christian Review Christian Review (1844-1853) (1844-1853) • By 1847 Fanning was too busy to edit the • paper and selected Jesse B. Ferguson as Ferguson’s views progressed toward universalism as he taught that he did not believe in editor. punishment after death. • Ferguson changed the name to Christian • Much of the Nashville church went with Magazine and it continued until the end of Ferguson until 1856 when he resigned. He died 1853. in 1870 in obscurity, but had done great damage • Ferguson created a great controversy in April to the church. Note the size of monument. 1852 with his views on 1 Peter 3:18-20. He • Fanning fought to save the churches in that area said that the lost dead would have another and felt somewhat responsible for Ferguson’s chance to obey the gospel. influence. He set out to start a new work in 1855, the Gospel Advocate. Gospel Advocate (1855-) • Began with Tolbert Fanning and Gospel Advocate (1855-) William Lipscomb in 1855, in part to combat error in the church around Nashville. • Influence grew under David Lipscomb as • Stopped in 1861 due to the war but editor. was restarted in 1866. • Outspoken against missionary societies • Fanning had baptized David and instrumental music. Lipscomb, William’s brother, and • Was the voice for churches in the South. David took on the editorship aFter the restart in 1866. • David Lipscomb was the editor for 50 years. 3 11/7/18 Christian Standard (1866-) Christian Standard (1866-) • Established with James A. Garfield, T. W. Phillips and others as a response to the • Struggled financially in the first years and conservative influence of American ownership was given to Errett. Christian Review. • It was the voice for churches in the North. • Isaac Errett became the first editor. He • Strongly supported the missionary society and had co-edited the Millennial Harbinger. instrumental music • • Opposed the destructive criticism of the Bible First issue contained Alexander and J. W. McGarvey wrote a column that Campbell’s obituary. helped to slow the influence of the more liberal voices. The Christian or The Christian Restoration Evangelist (1882-) schools • • Many of the first generation leaders J. H. Garrison, editor. in the restoration movement were • Garrison began the Gospel-Echo in 1869 and renamed it The formally educated. Christian in 1874. Later he changed it to The Christian • As many as 250 schools were Evangelist. started by restoration leaders. • Many schools closed due to • Became the national weekly of the Disciples of Christ. finances or the rise in state run institutions. • Started by A. Campbell in his home. Bacon College, • Objectives: provide College of the Bible (1836-) neighboring youth a • good education and Opened in 1836 in Georgetown, KY. prepare some young Named in honor of philosopher, Sir men for ministry. Francis Bacon. • Factors in closing: few • Walter Scott was the first president, But young men interested in stepped down after the inaugural ministry, felt like address. David S. Burnet selected as babysitting, closely president. confined was not good • Moved to HarrodsBurg, KY, in 1839 due for health and Campbell Buffalo Seminary (1818-1822) was often away to financial difficulties and James speaking. Shannon Became president in 1840. 4 11/7/18 Bacon College, College of the Bible (1836-) • The school was closed in 1850, but revived in 1859 as Kentucky University with Robert Milligan serving as president. • The main buildings burned in 1864 and in 1865 the school merged with • Kentucky University went on to be the University of Transylvania University in Lexington. Kentucky. Bacon College, • In 1965 the College of the Bible became Lexington • College of the Bible operated under Theological Seminary, associated with the Christian Kentucky University until 1878 when it College of the Bible Church (Disciples of Christ). received its own charter. (1836-) • In 2013 the University of Kentucky purchased the LTS campus and LTS now operates online with few classes in person. Bethany College Bethany College (1841-present) (1841-present) • Opened in 1839 in Bethany, Va/WV. • Notable students: J. • A. Campbell donated 10 acres, contributed M. Barnes, J. W. financially and served as president. McGarvey, Moses Lard. • Dec. 1857 the main building and library burned. Only missed one day of classes. • President James A. • Location was difficult to reach but provided Garfield served on the advantages of being away from cities. board. • Many were drawn to learn from A. Campbell. • Continues today associated with the Disciples of Christ. Franklin College Franklin College (1845-1860) (1845-1860) • • Founded by Tolbert Fanning in 1845 and After 16 years as president, Fanning stepped down in 1860. named for Benjamin Franklin. Located near Nashville where the airport is today. • The school closed during the Civil War • All boys attending were