UNPUBLISHED LETTERS OF ALEXANDER CAMPBELL

Through the kindness of Professor Walter Hendrickson of MacMurray College, who copied them from the originals in the archives of the Illinois State Historical Society, we present the following hitherto unpublished letters of Alexander Campbell. The letters are not especially significant, but they do point to persons and places of interest, and they reveal what we had already suspected, that Campbell was an exacting schoolmaster. The Dr. Jones mentioned in the second letter was probably the Dr. Jones of Jacksonville, important in the history of Illinois Disciples. The first letter is to Mrs. David King of Pittsburg; the second to Mr. King.

Bethany College

March 1, 1842   

Sister King,

Dear Madam,

For the present time I deem it most advisable to send your son Campbell home. His mind is so volatile, and so active that I think he cannot be confined to his studies in such a way as to justify the expense of continuing here. He is improving in attention, but not in such a degree as to meet my expectations. In a year more I doubt not but he will be more staid. I placed him under the care of a worthy brother.

John is well and doing very well. He is decidedly one of the most exemplary of our students.

Excuse my great haste as the opportunity of sending Campbell has unexpectedly occured.

I have not time for more than to intimate (illegible word) of (two illegible words) and my Christian regards.

Very Sincerely yours

A. Campbell             

Bethany, Va.

Feby. 23, 1843

Dear Sir,

Enclosed you will please find our general letter and a few addresses to my special agents, men of extensive acquaintance at those point you have named to me. I hoped to have seen you and to have conferred with you on different points. I might have then written to some other of my acuaintances had you thought of any places you would likely have visited. Could you fall in with Elder Thomas M. Allen in Missouri or Dr. L. Jones of Illinois and confer with them on the whole country, you might obtain valuable information. Where to find them I cannot say as they are often from home. But there {their} brothers can probably introduce you to them.

John is unexceptionable, his whole demeanor such that he does not devote himself to his studies with that perseverance and energy which (is) so much desired, and which is so needful to his success. Can you not visit us on your way? Our kindest regards.

To Mrs. King—may you have a prosperous journey and find a comfortable location is the desire of your friend,

A. Campbell
 

PUBLICATION OF INTEREST

In the early fall MacMurray College will issue a monograph on Philosophy in High School, edited by Leroy Garrett. This is a report on the Lilly Endowment Project in Philosophy at Jacksonville, Illinois High School, together with essays by professors of philosophy on the teaching of philosophy in American high schools.

The Lilly Endowment, Inc. is making a number of these monographs free for the asking. A number of the readers of this journal have expressed interest in this experimental project which for three years has been directed by the editor. 1£ you would like to receive a copy, send a card to the publication office of this journal, or write directly to MacMurray College, J ackson ville, Illinois.

“THE CHRISTIAN YOUTH”

The magazine for young people is issued from Farmington, N. Mex. (Box 103) and is edited by Dean R. Garrison, a forward-looking young Disciple. It is a 16-page job with a subscription rate of $1 per year, published monthly. Why not encourage the effort by subscribing for some teenager.

A SHEPHERD TALKS TO HIS FLOCK ABOUT UNITY

(Martim M. Mitchum is an elder in the First Christian Church in Rolla, Missouri. He prepared the following for the flock under his oversight. In these days of religious decadence it is well that we give special attention to a restoration of the office of bishop in the New Testament ecclesia. Since the professional minister has displaced the true function of the scriptural shepherds, it is encouraging to find instances of elders themselves attending to the needs of their people rather than hiring somebody to do it for them.-the Editor)

In about 58 AD. Paul wrote a letter from Corinth to the Christians at Rome. The letter was a substitute for a personal visit he was unable to make. Among the instructions in the letter is the following:

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak. We ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us make it a practice to please his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him-that is, to strengthen him and build him up spiritually.

For Christ gave no thought to His own interests to please Himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches and abuses of those who approached and abused you fell on J\Ie. For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by endurance and the encouragement from the Scriptures we might hold fast and cherish hope.

Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah. (Rom. 15:1-6. Amplified New Testament)

In the church at Rome were both Jews and Gentiles. Due to lifetime habits it was difficult for them to give up some of their practices. In the passage quoted Paul is dealing with some of these areas of conflict, one having to do with matters of diet and another with the observance of days. Paul tells them that they are not to violate their conscience and that those “who are strong” (those not bound by these restrictive ideas) are to bear with the weak. In Rom. 15:5 he shows that it is by “patient endurance” that the strong helps the weak. This means “endure without complaint, forbearance toward the faults of others.” Patience is a way of approaching a problem, and it does not imply surrender. Paul talks about the power of patient endurance. It is something that can be learned.

James stresses this virtue in saying, “Let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfectly and fully developed, lacking in nothing.” Heb. 12:1 urges us “to run the race we have to run with patience, our eyes fixed on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith.”

Besides the power of patient endurance God supplies encouragement, which is a tremendous concept. While friends and family often give us encouragement, Paul is talking about that encouragement that is supplied by God himself. The degree of this encouragement will depend upon our closeness to God, which is reflected in prayer. It is a profound commentary on the humanity of Jesus that he spent so much time in prayer. His prayer for the unity of all believers is a monument of His concern for us.

I am impressed by the way some missionaries talk as if they virtually receive daily instructions from God. Those whose stories are told in such books as Through Gates of Splendor and Shadow of the Almighty knew in a very real way what it is to be encouraged by God. Perhaps we too would receive encouragement from God if we were more responsive to Him and more eager to please Him.

Referring again to Rom. 15:5 we notice that Paul’s prayer is that God may grant the saints “mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In asking for harmony he is not asking for sameness. Harmony in music, for example, is obtained by combining different parts in such a way that each part enhances the whole. This is unity in diversity. Though the parts are different they complement each other and combine to produce harmony. This is because each part is carefully related to the central melody. It is tragic that so many believe that unity is dependent upon all the saints being in agreement on everything. Paul makes it clear that unity does not depend upon our seeing everything alike:

Again, one man thinks some days of more importance than others. Another man considers them all alike. Let everyone be definite in his own convictions. If a man specially observes one particular day, he does so “to God.” The man who eats, eats “to God,” for he thanks God for the food. The man who fasts also does it “to God,” for he thanks God for the benefits of fasting. (Rom. 14:5.6. Phillips)

Paul did not say, “Let everyone be definite in one and the same conviction,” but rather, “Let everyone be definite in his own conviction.” This shows that unity is not dependent upon unanimity of religious opinion. This is consistent with Paul’s own practice, for in 1 Cor. 9 he explains how he became “all things to all sorts of men that by every possible means I might win some to God.”

If Paul could sympathize with so many divergent viewpoints in order to extend his Christian influence, how can Christians today justify isolationist attitudes which lessen their influence and undermine world opinion of the church?

Paul states that the harmony and sympathy he prays for is to be in accord with Christ Jesus. This means that Jesus is the central melody around which the music is composed. He is the basis of our fellowship. While we may not deny the validity of his instructions, we may differ as to the methods to be used in carrying out some of his instructions. Our faith is in the living Christ, and we cannot be in harmony with each other apart from Him.

Once God gives us patience and encouragement we can achieve that harmony and sympathy which is in accord with the Christ. Then with united hearts we can praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though it may not be with a unanimity of opinions, it will nonetheless be with united hearts that look to Jesus. The saints at Rome came from different backgrounds and they had differing convictions. So it is in the church today. Whenever differences do not conflict with total surrender to the Christ, they need not be a barrier to fellowship.

If we adopt the principle that the strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, I believe we will move toward agreement in matters on which we once differed. Study will do this. Paul’s principle will cure the disease of party ism in religion. It is because we have ignored his instruction that we have so many sects. Most of the religious bodies now in existence are results of division. The pattern is always the same: controversy arises in a congregation; accusations are made; personalities are involved; triumph of opinion becomes more important than truth; people take sides; division follows.

Amidst such controversy it is difficult to be neutral. It seems that one is almost forced to take sides. I have been asked more than once whether I am an “Independent” or a “Cooperative.” When I reply that I am neither, the rejoinder is often, “But you must be one or the other. They just won’t let you be neither.” A few editors and preachers also agitate the issue of dispute. They are careful to feed the party spirit lest it die! There is something appealing to the ego about being a party leader, especially if those concerned can convince themselves that they are defenders of the faith against heretics.

Once the party spirit is more important that the unity of the spirit, it is difficult for the elders to preserve peace. If the elders were not hindered by outside influences, they might be able to safeguard unity since they are closer to the congregation as a whole and have a genuine desire for unity. The elders can resolve a controversy in a congregation better than some visiting evangelist or minister.

When division comes there are new tests of fellowship set up and the communication between the dissenting groups is broken. Each will not let a speaker from the other side occupy the pulpit. Sometime one party will lock the other party out of the building. I have seen this happen. Christians should be above such disgraceful actions. A complete split is evident once they will no longer worship together nor permit an exchange of ministers.

Paul’s admonition in Rom. 14 will correct all this if heeded. Perhaps we have spurned the apostle’s advice because it is difficult. It is easier to impugn the motives of the opponent than it is to be patient and bear with his vituperations. It is easier to take sides and form a party than it is to work for harmony. It is easier to be a party man than it is to admit that each side has some truth. It is easier to tear down than to build.