The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-10-29
The SO. Called CampbOlllte DenOml.

The So.Called CampbOllIte DenomI.
nation.
IStdtitticS Of nc Denonlindtion-Kore than
Half a MILLION COMMITMENTS History
Of he Uureh.
prom the N. Y. Tribare)
1.-THE Disciples Of Christ" form a nu-
merous religious body, which is attaining
great strength and influence in some Of
the Western States. The Disciples are
distinguished as an organization for taeir
missionary enterprise, their Efforts for the
extension and improvement Of educational
institutions, and their rapid increase in
numbers. During the last % years they
have held annually missionary conyen-
ton, the only national organization they
have, to deliberate upon the best mode Of
conducting the missionary work and
gaining proselytes. The efficiency Of
their system and the zeal and energy ex-
erctsed in carrying il out are
plainly shown in the rapid growth
OF the churches. Their deter
mined Efforts to perfect a plan of ed
ucation have resulted in the establish
ment Of various universities, colleges, and
schools. Their General Missionary Con.
vention TOR 1874 organized last week in
Cincinnati. The functions OF this Con-
Vention are to establish and maintain
missions, provide for the support Of Bible
societies, and transact such other bust.
ness concerning the general interests OF
the churches as may present itself. The
present session is to include the celebra-
ton oil the completion Of the frat quarter
OF century Of the existence Of the Con-
Vention. II is also intended 10 form a
woman's missionary society. Besides the
General Convention, there are several
State associations, whose object Is similar
to that Of the General Convention.
1.-The Disciples Of Christ" known also
as christians" 1.-THE Church OF Christ"
"Campbellites, &C., have their origin in
one Of several movements made in the
early part Of the present century for the
union OF all Protestant churches in o1e
organization. One Of these efforts was
made in Kentucky, under the leadership
OF b. w. Stone, and another in Western
Pennsylvania by Thomas Campbell and
his son Alexander, in 1900. The Camp.
bells are recognized as the founders OF
the Church OF the Disciples. They
sought to form common basis Of Chris.
tan union supon!which all could stand.
The Bible was made the only suthorita-
tive standard Of faith and practice,
liberality Of opinion being allowed in all
matters not clearly defined by Holy Writ.
The new brotherhood was formed mainly
with members from Presbyterian
churches; but subsequent declaration
against infant baptism and sprinkling
brought over q considerable number OF
Bsptists. The Kentucky society under
Stone also united with the Disciples and
still further augmented their numbers.
The Disciples reject creeds as bonds of
fellowship, but are generally in accord
with the leading doctrines Of Christianity
as held by the evangelical churches. They
have restored some OF the practices Of
primitive Christians, among which is
baptism Tor the remission OF sins" their
belief being that through the institution
oil baptism the divine assurance OF pardon
is impaired. They also practice weekly
communion. OF candidates for baptism
they only require q confession "of simple
trust or reliance on Christ as the Son of
God and the Savior OF sinners" Each
church is independent in government, all
uniting, however, in the general mission
AIRY convention Tor the establishment OF
missions, the maintenance OF Bible socie.
ties, and the promotion Of denomination
al interests generally.
1t estimated that the Disciples number
over 100000 communicate. They are
strongest in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and
Illinois. They have six weekly periodi-
Gals, 2 semi-monthly, 10 monthly, quar-.
terly, and l annual. They also have 10
academies and schools, 3 universities,
and II colleges, Of which four are for fe-
males. Their Sunday Schools contain
over 100000 scholars.