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Alexander Campbell (Restoration movement)
Encyclopedia
Alexander Campbell was an early leader in the Second Great Awakening
of the religious movement that has been referred to as the Restoration Movement
, or Stone-Campbell Movement. The Campbell wing of the movement was said to begin with his father Thomas Campbell
's publication in 1809 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, of The Declaration and Address of the Christian Association of Washington
. In 1832 the group of reformers led by the Campbells (known as the "Disciples of Christ"
) merged with a similar group that began in Kentucky under the leadership of Barton W. Stone
. Several American church groups trace their history to the Campbells' leadership, including the Churches of Christ, the Christian churches and churches of Christ, Evangelical Christian Church in Canada, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
. Alexander Campbell is also the founder of Bethany College
in Bethany, West Virginia
.
, in the parish of Broughshane
, County Antrim
, Ireland
. His parents were Thomas Campbell and Jane Corneigle Campbell. Of Scots-Irish descent, he was educated at the University of Glasgow
, where he was greatly influenced by Scottish Enlightenment
philosophy. He was also influenced by the English philosopher John Locke
. At age 21, Alexander emigrated to the United States with his mother and siblings from Scotland, to join his father Thomas, who had emigrated there in 1807. They sailed from Scotland
on the Latonia on August 3, 1809 and landed in New York
on September 29th, then traveled overland to Philadelphia. Alexander was ordained
by the Brush Run Church
on January 1, 1812.
). The couple resided in what is now known as the Alexander Campbell Mansion
near Bethany, WV. Their first child, a daughter, was born on March 13, 1812. His daughter's birth spurred Campbell to study the subject of baptism. He ultimately concluded that Scripture did not support the baptism of infants
. He came to believe that individuals had to choose baptism and conversion for themselves.
Alexander married Selina Huntington Bakewell on July 31, 1828, after the death of Margaret in 1827. Alexander died on March 4, 1866 at Bethany, West Virginia
. Selina outlived Alexander, dying on June 28, 1897.
Campbell's only formal political service was as a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention
of 1829, which brought him into contact with some of the leading politicians of the day and gave him the opportunity to preach in several Richmond
churches.
In 1840, Campbell founded Bethany College
in Bethany, Virginia (now Bethany, West Virginia
), which educated many leaders of the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.
He visited the United Kingdom
in 1847. During the trip he gave public lectures in England
and Scotland
, and also delivered funds that U.S. churches associated with the Restoration Movement had raised for famine relief in Ireland
. While at Glasgow
he was challenged by James Robertson to a debate on the subject of slavery. The rhetoric surrounded the challenge resulted in James Robertson suing Cambell for libel; Campbell denied the charge. He was arrested and imprisoned for ten days. Campbell was released when the warrant for his arrest was declared to be illegal, and ultimately a verdict was given in his favor.
Campbell edited and published two journals. The first was the The Christian Baptist, which he edited from 1823 through 1830. The second was The Millennial Harbinger, which he began in 1830 and continued to edit until his death in 1866, though his active involvement in the journal began declining during the 1850s. In both, he advocated the reform of Christianity along the lines as it was practiced on the American frontier.
Campbell expanded his printing operation in 1830 for the Millennial Harbinger. The change from the Christian Baptist to the Harbinger was prompted by several concerns. Differences of opinion were arising between Campbell and the Baptists, and in many cases Baptist associations were expelling those who were associated with the Campbell movement. He was concerned that "Christian Baptist" - which he considered to be less appropriate than the biblical term "Disciples" - was becoming the de facto name of the group. He also wanted the new journal to have a more positive tone, promoting reform and preparing the world for the second coming of Christ.
He wrote several books, including The Christian System. He also wrote hymns, including Upon the Banks of Jordan Stood.
Campbell compiled and published a translation of the New Testament under the title The Living Oracles. Published in 1826, it was based on an 1818 translation by George Campbell, James MacKnight and Philip Doddridge, and included edits and extensive notes by Campbell.
Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening was a Christian revival movement during the early 19th century in the United States. The movement began around 1800, had begun to gain momentum by 1820, and was in decline by 1870. The Second Great Awakening expressed Arminian theology, by which every person could be...
of the religious movement that has been referred to as the Restoration Movement
Restoration Movement
The Restoration Movement is a Christian movement that began on the American frontier during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century...
, or Stone-Campbell Movement. The Campbell wing of the movement was said to begin with his father Thomas Campbell
Thomas Campbell (Restoration movement)
Thomas Campbell was a Presbyterian minister important in the Second Great Awakening of the United States. Born in County Down, northern Ireland, he began a religious reform movement on the American frontier. He was joined in the work by his son Alexander Campbell...
's publication in 1809 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, of The Declaration and Address of the Christian Association of Washington
Declaration and address
The Declaration and Address was written by Thomas Campbell in 1809. It was the founding document for the Christian Association of Washington, a short lived religious movement of the 19th century. The Christian Association ultimately led to what is now known as the Restoration Movement. In many...
. In 1832 the group of reformers led by the Campbells (known as the "Disciples of Christ"
Disciples of Christ (Campbell Movement)
The Disciples of Christ were a group arising during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century. The most prominent leaders were Thomas and Alexander Campbell. The group was committed to restoring primitive Christianity...
) merged with a similar group that began in Kentucky under the leadership of Barton W. Stone
Barton W. Stone
Barton Warren Stone was an important preacher during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century. He was first ordained a Presbyterian minister, then was expelled from the church after the Cane Ridge, Kentucky revival for his stated beliefs in faith as the sole prerequisite for salvation...
. Several American church groups trace their history to the Campbells' leadership, including the Churches of Christ, the Christian churches and churches of Christ, Evangelical Christian Church in Canada, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Christian Church is a Mainline Protestant denomination in North America. It is often referred to as The Christian Church, The Disciples of Christ, or more simply as The Disciples...
. Alexander Campbell is also the founder of Bethany College
Bethany College (West Virginia)
Bethany College is a private liberal arts college located in Bethany, West Virginia, United States. Founded in 1840, Bethany is the oldest institution of Higher Education in West Virginia.-Location:...
in Bethany, West Virginia
Bethany, West Virginia
Bethany is a town in Brooke County, West Virginia, United States. It is part of the Weirton–Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 985 at the 2000 census. The Town of Bethany is home to Bethany College.-History:...
.
Early life and education
Alexander Campbell was born 12 September 1788 near BallymenaBallymena
Ballymena is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
, in the parish of Broughshane
Broughshane
Broughshane is a village within the Borough of Ballymena in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is northeast of Ballymena and north of Antrim, on the A42 road. It had a population of 2,364 at the 2001 Census....
, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. His parents were Thomas Campbell and Jane Corneigle Campbell. Of Scots-Irish descent, he was educated at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, where he was greatly influenced by Scottish Enlightenment
Scottish Enlightenment
The Scottish Enlightenment was the period in 18th century Scotland characterised by an outpouring of intellectual and scientific accomplishments. By 1750, Scots were among the most literate citizens of Europe, with an estimated 75% level of literacy...
philosophy. He was also influenced by the English philosopher John Locke
John Locke
John Locke FRS , widely known as the Father of Liberalism, was an English philosopher and physician regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers. Considered one of the first of the British empiricists, following the tradition of Francis Bacon, he is equally important to social...
. At age 21, Alexander emigrated to the United States with his mother and siblings from Scotland, to join his father Thomas, who had emigrated there in 1807. They sailed from Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
on the Latonia on August 3, 1809 and landed in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on September 29th, then traveled overland to Philadelphia. Alexander was ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
by the Brush Run Church
Brush Run Church
The Brush Run Church was one of the earliest congregations associated with the Restoration Movement that arose during the during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century...
on January 1, 1812.
Marriage and personal life
Campbell married Margaret Brown on March 12, 1811. Margaret's father, John Brown, owned a significant amount of land in the Bethany, Virginia area (now Bethany, West VirginiaBethany, West Virginia
Bethany is a town in Brooke County, West Virginia, United States. It is part of the Weirton–Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 985 at the 2000 census. The Town of Bethany is home to Bethany College.-History:...
). The couple resided in what is now known as the Alexander Campbell Mansion
Alexander Campbell Mansion
Alexander Campbell Mansion, also known as Campbell Mansion or Alexander Campbell House was the home of Alexander Campbell. Alexander, known as the "sage of Bethany", was founder of Bethany College and one of the most prominent early leaders of the Restoration Movement.The mansion together with...
near Bethany, WV. Their first child, a daughter, was born on March 13, 1812. His daughter's birth spurred Campbell to study the subject of baptism. He ultimately concluded that Scripture did not support the baptism of infants
Infant baptism
Infant baptism is the practice of baptising infants or young children. In theological discussions, the practice is sometimes referred to as paedobaptism or pedobaptism from the Greek pais meaning "child." The practice is sometimes contrasted with what is called "believer's baptism", or...
. He came to believe that individuals had to choose baptism and conversion for themselves.
Alexander married Selina Huntington Bakewell on July 31, 1828, after the death of Margaret in 1827. Alexander died on March 4, 1866 at Bethany, West Virginia
Bethany, West Virginia
Bethany is a town in Brooke County, West Virginia, United States. It is part of the Weirton–Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 985 at the 2000 census. The Town of Bethany is home to Bethany College.-History:...
. Selina outlived Alexander, dying on June 28, 1897.
Public life
Constitution of Virginia
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia is the document that defines and limits the powers of the state government and the basic rights of the citizens of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. Like all other state constitutions, it is supreme over Virginia's laws and acts of government,...
of 1829, which brought him into contact with some of the leading politicians of the day and gave him the opportunity to preach in several Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
churches.
In 1840, Campbell founded Bethany College
Bethany College (West Virginia)
Bethany College is a private liberal arts college located in Bethany, West Virginia, United States. Founded in 1840, Bethany is the oldest institution of Higher Education in West Virginia.-Location:...
in Bethany, Virginia (now Bethany, West Virginia
Bethany, West Virginia
Bethany is a town in Brooke County, West Virginia, United States. It is part of the Weirton–Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 985 at the 2000 census. The Town of Bethany is home to Bethany College.-History:...
), which educated many leaders of the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.
He visited the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1847. During the trip he gave public lectures in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, and also delivered funds that U.S. churches associated with the Restoration Movement had raised for famine relief in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. While at Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
he was challenged by James Robertson to a debate on the subject of slavery. The rhetoric surrounded the challenge resulted in James Robertson suing Cambell for libel; Campbell denied the charge. He was arrested and imprisoned for ten days. Campbell was released when the warrant for his arrest was declared to be illegal, and ultimately a verdict was given in his favor.
Writings
Alexander's first exposure to journalism was in his early twenties, when he wrote several moral essays under the pseudonym "Clarinda." The publication of his debate with the Presbyterian John Walker in 1820 convinced him of the effectiveness of writing. He bought a press and built a small print shop in 1823, establishing what proved to be a successful publishing operation.Campbell edited and published two journals. The first was the The Christian Baptist, which he edited from 1823 through 1830. The second was The Millennial Harbinger, which he began in 1830 and continued to edit until his death in 1866, though his active involvement in the journal began declining during the 1850s. In both, he advocated the reform of Christianity along the lines as it was practiced on the American frontier.
Campbell expanded his printing operation in 1830 for the Millennial Harbinger. The change from the Christian Baptist to the Harbinger was prompted by several concerns. Differences of opinion were arising between Campbell and the Baptists, and in many cases Baptist associations were expelling those who were associated with the Campbell movement. He was concerned that "Christian Baptist" - which he considered to be less appropriate than the biblical term "Disciples" - was becoming the de facto name of the group. He also wanted the new journal to have a more positive tone, promoting reform and preparing the world for the second coming of Christ.
He wrote several books, including The Christian System. He also wrote hymns, including Upon the Banks of Jordan Stood.
Campbell compiled and published a translation of the New Testament under the title The Living Oracles. Published in 1826, it was based on an 1818 translation by George Campbell, James MacKnight and Philip Doddridge, and included edits and extensive notes by Campbell.
Sources
- Challen, James (editor), "Biographical Sketch of Alexander Campbell", Ladies' Christian Annual, March, 1857 (Volume VI, No. 3), Philadelphia: James Challen, Publisher. Pages 81–90. Online Edition
- Foster, Douglas, et al., The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2005.
- Holloway, Gary, "Alexander Campbell as a Publisher", Restoration QuarterlyRestoration QuarterlyThe Restoration Quarterly is a scholarly journal associated with the Churches of Christ. It focuses on issues of interest to the Churches of Christ and other groups associated with the Restoration Movement more generally.-History:...
, Vol. 37/No. 1 (1995) Accessed 1 - Nov 2008. - McAllister, Lester and Tucker, William E. Journey in Faith St. Louis, Missouri: The Bethany Press, 1975.
- Richardson, Robert. Memoirs of Alexander Campbell. In two volumes. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1871.
External links
- Alexander Campbell texts at the Restoration Movement Pages at the Memorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of NewfoundlandMemorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
- Look Higher ! - Download the 1835 Living Oracles New Testament edited by Alexander Campbell in PDF format
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