New-York tribune., 1874-10-27
" TIE DISCIPLES OF CHRISTI

STATISTICS OF THE DENOMINATION - MORE THAN
HALF A MILLION CoMMUNICANTs-HIsToRY OF
THE CHURCH.
"The Disciples of Christ " form numerous
religious body which attaining great strength and in
nuence OF the Western States. The Disciples
distinguished organization for their missionary
enterprise efforts for the extension and improve
nent of educational institutions and their rapid fn
crease in numbers During the last % years they have
held annually a missionary convention, the only ma
tonal organization they have. TO deliberate upon the
best mode OF conducting the missionary work and GAIN
ing proseytes The efficiency OF their system and the
zeal exercised In carrying 10 out plainly
shown n the rapid growth OF the churches Their de-
termined efforts to perfect plan Of education have
resulted in the establishment Of various universities,
colleges and schools Their General Missionary Con-
vention for 1874 organized last week In Cincinnati The
functions Of this Convention to establish and main
missions provide for the support OF Bible societies.
and such other business concerning the general
Interests of the churches may present itself The
present session include the celebration OF the COM
etion OF quarter Of century Of the existence
OF the Convention is also intended TO form womans
missionary society. Besides the General Convention,
there are several State associations whose object is
similar to that of the General Convention
"The Disciples of Christ" known also as Chris
tians" The Church Of Christ" "Campbellites," &c,
have their origin In OF several movements made IN
early part Of the present century for the union OF all
churches in organization. one OF these
efforts made In Kentucky under the leadership OF
b. W. Jones, and another In Western Pennsylvania by
Thomas Campbell and his Alexander, in 1902 The
Campbes recognized the founders OF the Church
of the Disciples They sought to form common basis
of Christian union upon which all could stand. The
Bible was made the only authoritative standard OF faith
and practice lberality Of opinion being allowed In all
matters not clearly defined by Holy Writ. The new
brotherhood formed mainly with members from
Presbyterian churches; but SUBSEQUENT declaration
against infant baptism aud sprnkling brought over
considerable number Of Baptsts The Kentucky Society
nnder Stone also united with the Disciples and still fur
ther augmented their Dumb bers.
The Disciples reject creeds bonds OF fellowship but
are generally in accord with the leading doctrines OF
Christianity as held by evangelical churches They
have restored OF the practices OF primitive Chris
tisns among which Is baptism for the remission OF
their belief being that through the institution OF
baptism divine assurance OF pardon Is impaired
Tney also practice weekly communion. or candidates
for baptism they only require confession OF simple
crust or reliance Christ as the Son Of God and the
Savior Of sinners" Each church is independent In
government, all uniting, however, in the general mis-
eionsry convention for the establishment OF MISSIONS
maintenance of Bible societies. and the promotion OF
denOmin atonal interests generally.
estimated that the Disciples number over 100000
Communicates. They are strongest In Kentucky. in-
diana Ohio and Illinois They have six weekly per1odi-
cals, 2semEmontby, 16 monthly, quarterly, and an
nual They also have "a academies and schools, uni
verstes and IA colleges OF which four are for females
Their Sunday schools contain 2J00DO scholars.