Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-03
WHERE A LEADER LIES.
Tomb of the Founder of the Campbellite
Church--A Sturdy, Scholarly, Hard work
ing Conscientious Man-His Literary ana


Tomb of the Founder of the Campbeliite
Churoh--A Sturdy, Scholarly, Hard Work
ing Conscientious Man-His Literary and
Theological Work.
"Detender of the Faith" Inscribed on plain
marble tombstone that stands in a little grave
yard among the West Virginia hills are tnese
words. Sitting on a bench beneath one Oh tne
melancholy pines that shade the tombs, the
writer looked at an old silver coin. tarnished
and battered, bearing the date 151s- and the
Latin superscriptlon. elizabeth. by the Grace
of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith"
1t seemed strange to thus see this title In
scribed alike on the tombstone OF an humoie
minister of God. in obscure village. ana
upon coin of the imperious daughter OIL tne
square-jawed, comprehensively-anectio
manywived Henry VIII, upon whom rope
Leo K, $40 years ago, bestowed this titie In
recognition of his services to the Churcn Oh
Rome by his book in defense OF the seven
Sacraments, written in opposition to the teach
ings OF Martin Luther. The title has been
preserved by lis successors. Protestant as well
as Catholic. Mary of bloody memory "Good
Queen Bess." both the James; foolish DigoG
and bigoted fool, Charles 1, who lost MS mead
often before he lost it forever at whitehall,
Charles II, the melancholy libertlne, "who
never said a foolish thing, and never did
wise one" Dutch William and German George.
all of them down to Victoria. whom God
preserve" to use the devout ending OF the
genealogical table of England's rulers, have
borne this ii tie of Defender Of the Faith"
The Founder of Sect
But in Kings and Queens and Popes we for
get the man whose ashes lie at our feet. Fer
this is Bethany, little town over in the ''Pan-
handle" hills and we stand by the grave of
Alexander Campbell, the founder of the sect
known as Disciples of Christ. or as they term
themselves Christians. members OF the Church
of Christ. In homelier phrase, they are often
called "Campbellites."
Bethany. nestles on hillside about sevec
miles back from the Ohio river. From Wells
burg, the way is over an excellent pike, which
twice tunnels through the hills between which
the blue waters of the brawling Buffalo creek
winds along, its course from Bethany to the
river being q miles. although by the road the
distance is but seven. More beautiful and
picturesque scenery would be hard to find, and
the first view of the town with the stately
college buildings crowning the eminence at
whose feet it clusters, is a striking one.
Here. in 1S4l, Alexander Campbell founded
Bethany College, and in the low, white frame
farmhouse, just on the outskirts of the village.
his last days were spent. and in the little,
stonewalled graveyard. just above his home,
is ashes and those of many of his kin, have
their resting place.
A Man Of Peculiar Power.
Alexander Campbell may be regarded in
many respects as one of the most remarkable
men of the nineteenth century. OF humble
family, emigrating to a strange country when
scarce out Of boyhood, making his home in
new and sparsely settled community. remote
from the centers of business, culture and ad-
vanced thought, he SO impressed his person
ality and spirituality upon his fellows as to
establish and build up new Sect which to-day
numbers nearly a million adherents, whose
peculiar doctrines are proclaimed by 1000 min
listers; which sends Its missionaries to China,
India, Japan, Turkey and South America; con-
trolls more than score of colleges and acad-
emies in as many States of the Union, and pub
fishes 40 or more newspapers and magazines
in this country, Great Britain and her colo
nies.
Born in the North of Ireland he was. on his
fathers side. of that hardy, God-fearing Scotch
stock whose name is synonymous with inde-
pendence, honesty and courage. On his
mothers side he was French, and it may be
that it was this intermingling of bloods which |
gave him that strength of purpose and skill of |
address which enabled him to win men to his |
beliefs
Came First to Pennsylvania.
Receiving his early education under his |
father, he finished his studies at the University |
of Glasgow, and in 1909 came to the United |
States. settling at Washington, in this State, |
where his father had been assigned to pas
torate two years before. He began his work as
q Presbyterian minister at Brush Run,
near Washington, but his religious views
soon began to undergo a change, and
in 1872 he with his wife and his fathers
{nfn thA nhrict
faith" With his fathers aid he formed many
and in 1913 united with Baptist
Association, but protesting against all human
creeds as a bond of union, and accepting the
Bible alone as rule of faith and practice.
This led to opposition, and in 1877 he was ex-
pelled from the fellowship Of the Baptist
churches. Then his followers formed sep
arate body, and SO rapid was the spread Of the
new doctrines that in 1880 his adherents were
to number 100,OO0.
In 1923 he established the Christian Baptist
md MitlennsaI Har6tnger, and for 40 years was
is editor and principal contributor. In its files
The history of the founding OF the Church of
Christ may be found. During this time he
ssued from the press 81 volumes, mostly of
COURSE of a theological character. A man of
strong intellect, fine scholarship and great
ogical powers, his literary style was clear and
-orcible, and as a controversialist he was as
greatly feared by his opponents as admired by
lis friends.
Bethany College and Pleasant Hill.
In IS41 he founded Bethany College. 1t grew
'apidly, being from the first, as at present,
argely attended py students from the South,
sending many of her sons there 20 be
educated. In 1919. his sister. Jane Campbell.
afterwards Mrs, McKeever then but IS years
,Ia, had established select school for girls at
W est Middletown, Washington conuty. Pa but
x miles away. 1t was afterward known as
Pleasant Hill Academy. and was the school at
which many fair Southerners were educated.
Mrs. McKeever was a strong Abolitiontst,
md near by the academy was dense thicket
,nown as PenItentiary Hill station on the
Railroad" 1t is said that many
. morning the daughters OF Southern planters,
While grumbling, perhaps. over rather scanty
breakfast, little dreamed that they were put on
hort commons in order that runaway slaves