Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-03-07

Bible furnishes an allsufficient revelation OF
the Divine WILL and perfect rule CT faith aud
practice they repudlate all hum IN duthorifG-
tire creeds. With them the divinity and Christ
hood OF Jesus is the central truth OF the Chris
tan system. They demand no other faith in
order TO baptism and church membership than
the faith OF the heart In Jesus as the Christ. the
Son OF the Living God. They require assent to no
theory Of regeneration or spiritual influence,
and submit no other tests but faith and repent
ance In admitting persons to baptism and
church membership. They celebrate the Lords
supper every Sunday as part of the regular
worship and not as an awful sacrament, bat as
a solemn but Joyful and refreshing feast of
love. In brief, they urge the word OF God
against human creedS; faith in Christ againSF
faith In systems OF theology; obedience TO
Christ rather than obedience to church author
lty; the Church OF Christ in place OF sects; the
promises OF the Gospel instead OF dreams
visions and marvellous experiences as evidences
or pardon; Christian character In place OF or
thodoxy In doctrine as the bond OF union;
ana associations for cooperation In good works
instead or associations 10 settle questions OF
faith and discipline
THE FOUNDER OF THE CAMPBELLITES.
Alexander Campbell. the founder of the de-
nomination known variously yas"Campbellltes, ;,
disciples OF Christ" 1.-The Church OF Christ" :"
was born In county Antrim. Ireland. In June
lIS6, ana died at Bethany, West Virginia March
4, 1866 He was educated at the University OF
Glasgow and came to this country In 1909. He
took up his residence in Washington county,
1tDUSy iVdHld, near BeIQany, IN western Viz
gnia, which afterwards became his home For
time he was pastor OF Presbyterian church,
from which denomination he soon separated on
the ground that the Bible should be the sole
creed OF the church. In 1910 he and
his father (also Presbyterian clergy
many, orgauKed new society at
Brush Run, Pennsylvania. In 1912 he became
convinced that immersion was the only mode OF
baptism, and he and his congregation were
Immersed. They united with a Baptist asso-
citation, but still protested against all human
and his followers were excluded from fellow
ship with the Baptist churches, and in 1927
began TO form a separate organization which
extended in the states of Virginia, Tennessee
ard Kentucky. In 1854 they numbered $50 900
members and have now nearly double that
number Mr.. Campbell was prolific writer
and his pen was busy through a series OF years
In the authorship OF books, and In the pubuca-
zion OF church organ he started liz 1928. fn
ls4o he founded Bethany college, OF which he
continued to be president to the close OF his
life. Hewas also engaged In several discus
slons, one OF which With Robert Owen. in 1925,
On THE Truth OF Christianity" established his
reputation as the ablest controverSalSt OF his
time. Mrs. Frances Trollope (mother or the
English n0yeliStl, who was present at this dis.
cusSion, speaks ia her domestic Manners OF
the Americans" OF the remarkable ability dis
played by Mr.. Campbell on that occasion. A
9eice1'. Is a nephew OF Alexander Campbell
Though Born On slave soil. he took issue With
his uncle upon the slavery question. The lat
ter maintained that the institution of slavery
was sanctioned, Or at least tolerated. in the
Bible, and that therefore the relation OF a
holder OF slaves should not be made test
question for communion In the church.