The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-07-17
centennial of the Disciples OF Christ

sept. eth, 1909 pamphlet of 5s
pages was published at Washington.
Fa' under the title of "A Declaration
ana Address" The Seceder Presbv-
terian Minister who wrote il was an
Afish immigrant Of marked scholar
snip, piety and grace, whose name
lhomas Campbell, indicates that be-
lore he was an Iriehman he was q
| ocotchman. It was a plea for the re-
union OF all churches by a return to
the doctrines, ordinances and life of
TIE APOSTOLIC church. 1t called for
the abolition Of all creeds and confess
slons of faith as tests of fellowship
and the reinstatement of the Word of
God, and particularly the scriptures
| OF the New Testament as the united
churches only rule Of faith and prac-
tice. 1t plead for the announcement
or all human leadership and the ex-
| altation of Christ as the one head of
the church. 1t breathed the kindliest
spirit of Christian fellowship. and
was manifestly inspired by a yearn-
ing for peace and unity in the family
of God as we'll as by loyalty to Christ.
Shortly before this date and soon
after it other leaders in different
churches and in various parts of the
new world took the same position. AS
fast as these became acquainted they
| united in the common cause. Alexan-
der Campbell, the son of Thomas. was
soon recognized as their foremost
champion. There is no general eccle-
siastical organization, but great vigor
in local church activity and mission
| airy endeavOr. A million and a half
dollars was devoted last year to mis-
sions, benevOlence and education.
They expect to increase these Offer
ings to two millions this year. Easter
is generally observed by offerings for
the support of orphanages both at
! home and on the mission fields.
/ Their 1900 churches, in whose
fellowship a million and a quarter
members are now living are various
ly known as Churches Of Christ
Christian Churches or Disciples. The
Centennial is being celebrated by a
far-reaching campaign Of betterment
in all departments of Christian life
and service. The elimination of the
celebration will be a great convention
in Pittsburg, Oct. 11-19, 1909. Fifty
Thousand delegates are expected to
attend. 1t will be the greatest relig-
icus gathering of the century, not only
in the number of persons present, and
the splendid achievements reported,
but especially in it's testimony for
liberty, unity and loyalty in the
! Church of Christ universally. One of
the monumental features of the cele-
bration will be the exhibition of the
ertire membership roll of a million
4 and a quarter names which will be
perpetually preserved both in a
brotherhood depository, and in the
Library of Congress at Washington.
1t has been about four years since
the Christian church was first organi-
Zed here in Sumter. Since then it has
| passed through many vicissitudes; but
the little band of it's members has
continued faithful, though struggling
against heavy odds. Their efforts are
now being crowned with a measure Of
success. SoHe time ago the America n
Christian Missionary Society of the
Christian church and the South Caro-
lima Missionary Society agreed to aid
financially the local congregation
thus enabling them to secure a pastor
So about two months ago they called
Mr.. M. S. Peckham, NJ A, Of Hiram
College, O., who up to that time had
been taking post graduate work in
the University Of Chicago. Mr.. Peck
ham was for two years a foreign
missionary at Havana, Cuba. Since
his arrival the Christian church has
held it's services in the Lyric theatre.
but now a new house of worship is
being built on the church lot at the
corner Of Washington and Calhoun
streets. The new house of worship
Will be constructed of concrete blocks
and will seat about three hundred
people. 1t will be ready for use some
time in September.