The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1912-09-05
HISTORY OF THE
CONVENTION
Sketch of the Annual Gather
ing of the People Konwn AS
Disciples of Christ
MANY THOUSAND WILL ATTEND
Meeting at Louisville This October
VIII Be One of Unusual Interest
lis a "Home-Coming" to
Historic Scenes.

The people known as Christians or
Disciples of Christ first appeared as a
distinct people in America in the early
part of the nineteenth century. They
| sprang up almost simultaneously in
various parts of the country and in
various denominations A Rev. James
| O'KellyS member of the Methodist
Episcopal General Conference, of
| Virginia, severed connections with
his church over doctrinal points,
and about the same time in 1880 Rev.
Abner Jones, a Baptist minister OF
Vermont, separated himself from his
church affiliations, holding about the
same views. Barton w Stone, of Lex
ington, KY, a Presbyterian minister,
embraced the same views in 1903.
The real starting point, however, is
generally regarded by the followers of
this movement to be in 1909, when
Thomas Campbell, a Presbyterian min
lister, of Washington, Penn, issued
what is commonly known as the
Declaration and Address," in which
he ably set forth the doctrines and
practices which have been since that
day the common faith of that people
and which is usually referred to by
them as "our plea"
For number of years this new
band of religionists whose plea was
for Christian union seemed to have
contributed to much the opposite
cause. Many stirring debates were
held and partisan feeling among
church people was extremely strong.
With the coming of a broader con-
ception of religious ideas and service,
however, among all the churches, this
communion finally won a place for
itself, until it to-day ranks fourth
among the Protestant bodies of the
Anglo-Saxon race in America, and
sixth among all religious peoples. 1t
Is far in advance, numerically, of any
other American-born religious denom-;
nation.
The organization and government is
congregational in form, and no higher
human authority is recognized. AS
they have been active along all lines
of church work, such as home and
foreign missions, boards have been or
ganized to handle the business con-
uected with these various interests.
For many years these boards have
held annual conventions Simultaneous
ly and at the same place, and this
gathering is called "The Interna tional
Convention Of the Disciples of Christ"
The first of these was held in Cincin-
natl in 1849.
For many years these were attend
ed by only those who were personally
connected with the work of the vari-
Gus boards. The first convention that
attracted what might be termed a
large number Of people was at Indian.
apolis in 1897.
Since that time the attendance has
been so great that it is recognized as
one of the most notable gatherings of
religious people in the United States.
Three years ago the convention was
held at Pittsburg. This was called the
Jubilee Convention, being the one hun.
dredth anniversary of the Declaration
and Address" About fifty thousand
people journeyed to Pittsburg to at.
tend this celebration.
This convention will be held this
year in Louisville, KY, October 1922
1t is expected that more than twenty
thousand Disciples will be in attend.
anee.
Watch babies bow els till the fTosts C me.
DR., Fahrneys Teething Syrup. 2s cts.