FOR 1969: RENEWAL THROUGH RECOVERY

One of the terms emanating from current efforts for reform is “Renewal through Recovery”, a term that may have equal force in its converse, “Recovery through Renewal. While Restoration Movement still appeals to us, it is continually in need of definition. Such words as renewal and recovery help to do this. Renewal is the essence of restoration, and recovery indicates the nature of movement. Quite obviously any idea of restoration that does not move is of little value, and anything that moves without valid principles is in vain.

We thus have our theme for 1969: renewal through recovery. We intend that this be a study of the basic principles of our movement, both from its inception with the Campbells and its earlier background. There have, of course, been many restoration movements. But we wish to look at our own in particular to see if it does, indeed, have the seeds for renewal through recovery or recovery through renewal.

We shall examine two important documents by the Campbells as the prime sources. One is the Declaration and Address by Thomas Campbell, the other “Synopsis of Reform” by Alexander Campbell. The first sets forth some of the broad principles that gave impetus to the movement, principles that should be reevaluated in each generation. The second lists many of the specific goals of reform, a kind of roll call of essentials.

Such shall be our concern all year long. We trust you will read along with us and share with us your reactions.

Equally important is your willingness to encourage others to read what we are saying. We can double or triple our readership for 1969 with only moderate help from those already taking the paper. We would urge you to tell your friends about our efforts. We will supply you with sample copies for this purpose upon request, or if you will send us their names, we will be glad to contact them.

Some of our readers receive bundles each month. For example, you can receive a bundle of 6 papers each month for only 3.00 a year, or 12 each month but for 6.00 a year. These can be passed or mailed to interested parties. Or you can send us a list of 6 names and we will send them the journal for a year for only 3.00. If you could only have some idea of how many have been greatly helped with no more effort than this, you would be more inclined to do it. Reading material remains about the best way to reach the heart and mind of man. The person who would never listen to you personally just might give Restoration Review a curious and deliberative perusal.

We are saying that the effort from year to year with this journal is expensive and arduous. So we want as many as possible to benefit. In this respect you, our readers, are our epistles. It will be mainly through you that others will come to know about us.

We plan again in 1969 to issue the volume in permanent binding, with introduction and table and contents, with the title of Renewal Through Recovery. It will match the three volumes preceding it. These are Resources of Power (1966), Things That Matter Most (1967) and The Quest of God (1968). The 1968 volume will be available in a few weeks. These may be ordered for 3.00 each.