The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-10-22
THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST


DeleEates from all over the world
are gathered at Pittsburg this week
81 celebrate the Tooth anniversary of
~ religious denomination known as
ne Disciples Of Christ, or more COM
monty. the Christian church. On Sep
Iomber &C. 1893, Alexander Campbell
ITomulgated his Declaration of Prin-
fiples.- and from that date and doc
rment grew this great religious body.
The disciples now number 1900, 900,
Leo. 900 belonging to the churches in
~ United States. This is the only
purely American Christian denomina-
tIon. and It's growth in the last few
Tears has been more rapid than that
oI Smoother Protestant denomination.
Ifg membership has increased so per
cent In the last is years, and it ranks
SIXTH In numerical strength in the
Omitted States. coming after the Ro-
nan Catholics, the Methodists, the
nnpeists. the Lutherans and the Pres
byterians In the order named.
A unique feature of the celebration
m Pittsburg is the great roll of the
church. For many months the con-
Frerations throughout the world have
been sending in the rosters of their
ncfive members to the general centen-
nal headquarters, and they now have
lhe names and addresses Of more than
100000 OF their communicates.
Prom these the great roll has been
prepared. and after the centennial is
over the roll probably will be deposit
&C In che library Of congress.
TIE opening of the centennial exer-
rlses did not begin with the Pittsburg
c1lobration, where only the compare
tlrely few could be present. 1t began
wherever a spire of church of the
oiscipleS faith points skyward, wheth-
~ IN Europe. Asia Australia or the
Americas. Perhaps 100000 workers
tool part In these exercises. It was
a. September 26-Declaration Day, as
neg called 1.-THE centennial anniver-
nary Of campbelrs great PRONUNCIATION
az principles. Seven thousand minis
lers a the morning service, preached
81 the subject, Where the Scrip
fures Speak" In the evening their
subject was "A Generation of Bible
Students" In this sermon they re-
viewed the history of their great lead
era Perhaps never before has there
ben such elaborate preparations for
q Simultaneous worldwide religious
historical celebration.
A great spirit of missionary zeal has
been awakened among the disciples
curing this centennial year. With
record Of growth, seldom, if ever,
equaIled. In the hundred years behind
them. they have turned their faces to
ne future in plans for new efforts.
Win 100000 students now in the
feachers' training classes of their
Sunday schools. they are campaigning
Cor $4,000 more. Not only that. They
want 10000 preachers in their ranks;
alo00o. 600 more of assets; every
church 20 have its mission; every
preacher a pulpit; every church well
housed. and every church debt paid.
To-day they have about 1000 ordained
ministers and 11.OOO churches.
The history Of the disciples is filled
9Th events OF human interest. The
church started at a time when skepti-
cism was almost the rule and disbe-
lief Gar from uncommon. In 1895 only
four or Eve OF the students at Yale
were members OF the church. Prince
ton had a student body in which belief
Al Christianity was not much more
prevalent William and Mary was a
hui.bed % unbelief. Pennsylvania uni
rersity. forerunner of the University
81 Kentucky. founded by the Presby-
tefians. was In the hands of those who
rcpudiated the principles of Christian
iy Bishop Meade said that in 1910
~ expected 60 find every educated
younr man a skeptic if not indeed a
oisbelieyer. Chancellor Kent said
maj a majority Of professional men
ai hat time were unbelieverS. In
1899 there was but one congregation
al church In Boston which adhered TO
the old faith. Men went 20 hear the
eminent Dr. Griffin dressed in disguise
rather than face the gibes of their
Friends.