Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-11-29

The following, from the widow of the
iIlustrious Alexander Campbell, the
great theologisn, who in his time sought
to simplify christianity by discarding
dogma, tradition, musty usage, and
formula in worship, will be read with
profit and pleasure as a very clear cor
rectiOn of a popular error:
INGLEsIDE PLANTATION, NEAR
! WHEELERs STATION, !
| LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ala, Nov. 2j, 1874 J
EDITORS APPEAL-In looking over
the Memphis APPEAL last night, no.
| ticed 8 very respectful reference to the
Christian convention, now holding its
session in your city. 1t was no doubt
made IN good faith and honesty, and
claims therefore the earnest, sincere
thanks of the brotherhood universally,
and of the delegates from the various
States named, specially. But l must
demUT to one statement, although made
no doubt with the best intention, Ui-:
"The sect was inaugurated in 1910,
Alexander Campbell being its first ex-
pOnent.n Now, l desire simply TO say
that Mr.. Campbell never Intended to
inaugurate 3 sect, and that he never did
inaugurate q sect. His grand and sole
object was to enlighten his iellowman
upon the teachings OF the Savior and
his apostles. and to bring them back to
the simplicity Of the original gospel
luke xiv, Az in order to the union of
all christians upon the one foundation,
and thus to annihilate sects, sectarian-
ism aud schism in the church Of God.
/ respectfully submit that this is not
the work of the sect-maker Mr..
Campbell himself had been brought
up under the yoke OF sectism,
and had learned the distTacting cOnse-
quences and evil tendencies of the sect
spirit, and il was Oh this account that
he felt called upon lin the providence of
Cod to lift his voice and pen against il.
His great desire was to brig man to the
acknowledgment OF the truths taught
in the Bible, and to warn them against
the teachings and usurpatiOus of unin-
spired men. He has abundantly shown
that all party names have been intro
duced by the wisdom of men, and not
by the wisdom which cometh down
from heaven. Distinctive party names
have been adopted, not one of which
can be found in the last will and tesla
ment Of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. Shall we obey man rather than |
God? l could wish, therefore, that the |
Christian church should never be called
Mr.. Campbell's church, or that il should |
be spoken OF as only forty years old, as
is sometimes done by thoughtless and |
uniformed persons. If the faith and |
practice of the church sometimes desig-
mated as the "CampbellIte church" be |
not as old as the New Testament, and /
Identical with the teaching Of the apos-
ties, then 90 not hesitate to say that it
has no right to exist. Very respectfully,
MRS ALEXANDER CAMPBELL.
On reading the above, first result
was a deep regret that the APPEAL
should, in the performance Of duty to
/ branch of the great christian body,
nave repeated an error amounting to an
Injustice to the memory Of one who did
| great deal Of good in his day and gen.
ration. Our second thought, however,
n verifcstion OF the old adage, was
,est. In view Of the letter itself, taken
IS whole, aside from the error which
allied it forth, we rather rejoice in our
Mrs. Campbell, during his
life, was the able cOsdjutOr and assistant
4 her husband; and, since his death,
las carried forward his work with an
mercy and ability that has convinced
Ter fellow-christians that, in every sense,
he was worthy to be the help-meet Of
UGH man. She speaks as one by su-
hority, and 50 speaking places her bus
aud right before the world, justities his
,reat effort at reform, and elevates those
gho worship according to the scriptures,
Without other rule or guide, TO a dignity
which sects never can reach. We are
lad, then, to be the medium of publiea-
ion Of letter so fall Of interest to the
eligious world, especially to those who !
all themselves "Christiaus.u ,