David Swing
Encyclopedia
David Swing was a United States
teacher and clergyman who was the most popular Chicago preacher of his time.
immigrant parents in Cincinnati, Ohio
.
He spent most of his boyhood on a farm and earned his schooling. He graduated from Miami University
in 1852, where was Phi Delta Theta
fraternity brother of Benjamin Harrison
and classmate of Whitelaw Reid
. Swing studied theology at Lane Seminary
; and was principal of the preparatory school at Miami in 1853-1866.
, which was destroyed in the fire of 1871; he then preached in McVicker's theatre until 1874, when a new building was completed.
In April 1874 he was tried before the Presbytery of Chicago on charges of heresy
preferred by Dr Francis Landey Patton
, who argued that Professor Swing preached that men were saved by works, that he held a "modal" Trinity, that he did not believe in plenary inspiration
, that he unduly countenanced Unitarianism
, etc. The presbytery acquitted Dr. Swing, who resigned from the presbytery when he learned that the case was to be appealed to the synod. As an action was taken against the church, of which he had remained pastor, he resigned the pastorate, again leased McVicker's theatre (and after 1880 leased Central Music Hall, which was built for the purpose), and in 1875 founded the Central Church, to which many of his former parishioners followed him, and in which he built up a large Sunday school, and established a kindergarten, industrial schools, and other charities.
He published Sermons (1874), including most of his "heretical" utterances, Truths for To-day (2 vols, 1874–1876), Motives of Life (1879), and Club Essays (1881). See Joseph F Newton, David Swing, Poet-Preacher (Chicago, 1909).
A residence hall is named in Swing's honor at Miami University
.
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United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
teacher and clergyman who was the most popular Chicago preacher of his time.
Early life
Swing was born to AlsatianAlsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
immigrant parents in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
.
He spent most of his boyhood on a farm and earned his schooling. He graduated from Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in 1852, where was Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta , also known as Phi Delt, is an international fraternity founded at Miami University in 1848 and headquartered in Oxford, Ohio. Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Chi form the Miami Triad. The fraternity has about 169 active chapters and colonies in over 43 U.S...
fraternity brother of Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there...
and classmate of Whitelaw Reid
Whitelaw Reid
Whitelaw Reid was a U.S. politician and newspaper editor, as well as the author of a popular history of Ohio in the Civil War.-Early life:...
. Swing studied theology at Lane Seminary
Lane Theological Seminary
Lane Theological Seminary was established in the Walnut Hills section of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1829 to educate Presbyterian ministers. It was named in honor of Ebenezer and William Lane, who pledged $4,000 for the new school, which was seen as a forward outpost of the Presbyterian Church in the...
; and was principal of the preparatory school at Miami in 1853-1866.
Career
He became pastor in 1866 of the Westminster Presbyterian Church (after 1868 the Fourth Church) in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, which was destroyed in the fire of 1871; he then preached in McVicker's theatre until 1874, when a new building was completed.
In April 1874 he was tried before the Presbytery of Chicago on charges of heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
preferred by Dr Francis Landey Patton
Francis Landey Patton
Francis Landey Patton , American educationalist and theologian, and the twelfth president of Princeton University.-Background, 1843-1871:He was born in Warwick Parish, Bermuda and attended Warwick Academy...
, who argued that Professor Swing preached that men were saved by works, that he held a "modal" Trinity, that he did not believe in plenary inspiration
Biblical inerrancy
Biblical inerrancy is the doctrinal position that the Bible is accurate and totally free of error, that "Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact." Some equate inerrancy with infallibility; others do not.Conservative Christians generally believe that...
, that he unduly countenanced Unitarianism
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
, etc. The presbytery acquitted Dr. Swing, who resigned from the presbytery when he learned that the case was to be appealed to the synod. As an action was taken against the church, of which he had remained pastor, he resigned the pastorate, again leased McVicker's theatre (and after 1880 leased Central Music Hall, which was built for the purpose), and in 1875 founded the Central Church, to which many of his former parishioners followed him, and in which he built up a large Sunday school, and established a kindergarten, industrial schools, and other charities.
He published Sermons (1874), including most of his "heretical" utterances, Truths for To-day (2 vols, 1874–1876), Motives of Life (1879), and Club Essays (1881). See Joseph F Newton, David Swing, Poet-Preacher (Chicago, 1909).
A residence hall is named in Swing's honor at Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
.
External links
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