Before we move into a consideration of Thomas Campbell's lengthy Declaration and Address , in which he sets forth the principles that gave rise to the Restoration Movement, it is appropriate that we observe the spirit in which the document was written. We have reference to the attitude that Mr. Campbell had toward the problems that faced the church of his day, which are similar to those that we confront, and the attitude he showed toward others, specially those who differed with him. The disposition that created the document is especially evident in the appendix to the document. The appendix itself is 60 pages, longer than the document proper. It is here that we can see Campbell coming to terms with some of the questions growing out of his mandate for renewal, the Declaration and Address .
Principles can be obscure and impractical even when valid.
They need illustration and explanation, and they especially need to be related to the problems faced by those at the grass roots level. In the appendix Campbell does this, reflecting the spirit that was to characterize the earlier stages of our Movement. This is why the appendix should have been the introduction and placed at the beginning rather than at the end. At the very outset Mr. Campbell expressed concern that the Movement he had begun among the churches might be misunderstood. He made it clear that his purpose was to restore peace and unity, not to attack and destroy the existing churches.