The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-11
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

AOPCho IN AAOLOISOs 4AAACSOs III DS1I1S
the scene of the great New Century
International convention Of the Chris
tian church, whose members are styled
the Disciples of Christ, or Christians.
Not only is it the largest convention,
in point of numbers of delegates at
tending, that has ever been held in the
capital city of Kansas. 1t is also one
of the most significant gatherings that
has ever convened here.
One hears a good deal these days
about an ever growing lack of interest
which the people generally are alleged
to be showing in churches and church
work. But these allegations would ap-
pear to be refuted in no uncertain terms
by the fact that thousands of lay
men, like those Of the Christian church
who are now in Topeka, will drop their
work of earning a livelihood, travel
hundreds and, in some instances, thou
sands of miles, submit to all kinds of
inconvenience, and spend a week or
ten days time in celebrating over the
affairs of their church and making
plans for its further development. That
doesn't look much like a lack of in
terest in church work, nor like a lack
of influence on the part of the churches
over the people.
Such charges certainly cannot be
maintained against the Christian
church. It's unprecedented growth
might well be called one of the ro-
mances of religion. In it's present form
it was organized no longer ago than
1907. Thomas Campbell, a "seceder'
Presbyterian minister from Ireland took
the initiative in it's organization in
western Pennsylvania. He was ably
assisted by his son, Alexander Camp
bell who came to be recognized as one
of the most able preachers of the Cos
pei of his and other times. The Camp
bells sought to achieve the union of
Christians on the basis of apostolic
Christianity. They determined to re-
Ject the authority of all creeds and
doctrinal standards Of human origin,
and to adhere strictly to the Scriptures
as their only rule Of faith and practice
They organized a congregation on this
basis, and as they believed that i'm
mersion. was the only form of baptism
countenanced by the new testament,
they were immersed by a Baptist minis
ter. And for time, the Campbellites,
as they were nicknamed, were known
as Christian Baptists and were allied
with the Baptist church. About 1927.
the Baptist churches generally with
drew fellowship from the Disciples and
they formed organizations of their own.
1t is doubtful if any church has ever
made such as rapid growth during the
past 80 years as has the Christian
church. From 1880 to 1890 it made a
gain of So per cent in membership
During the next five years it made an
other gain of AZ per cent. And the gains
have been steady and large during the
past four years. The statistics for the
church for 1906, the most recent ones
at hand, number the churches at H.
ISL; ministers, 1851; communicates, l.
S1S,215; Sunday schools, 9,465; scholars
and teachers, 915,275; value of church
property, $24,751, SAG; missions, home
and foreign, $685., 627. SO, and church ex-
penses 100000. These statistics are
all far too small now but they give a
good idea of the tremendous growth of
the Christian church.
And because it is growing and devel-
oping and progressing in all ways, it
looms up large as an enormous factor
for good in this and other lands. That's
why, in particular, Topeka is so hon
ored in being the meeting place for it's
New Century convention.