BARTON W. STONE (1772‐1844) ‐Barton W. Stone was born near Port Tobacco, Maryland – Dec. 24, 1772 ‐His father died in 1775 leaving his mother and seven siblings. She moved the family to south‐central Virginia ‐Stone lived on the frontier all his life and was considered a “frontiersman” Grave of David Caldwell, Greensboro, NC ‐Educated at David Caldwell’s Academy in Guilford, North Carolina (1790‐1793) – Planned to be a lawyer ‐Planned to be a lawyer but became convicted by the preaching of James McGready and William Hodge. Under the influenced of David Caldwell , Stone entered ministry under the Presbyterian Church ‐1793‐1796 – Embarked on a preaching tour through Tennessee and Kentucky ‐1796 – Became the supply preacher for the Cane Ridge and Concord Churches in central Kentucky ‐During this time began questioning Presbyterian doctrines of election and predestination ‐1798 – When asked at his ordination if he agreed with the teachings of the Westminster Confession of Faith (Presbyterian Creed) He said loudly: “I do, as far as I see it consistent with the Word of God” ‐August 1801 – Stone hosted the largest Camp Meeting Revival at the Cane Ridge Church. Some reports have over 20,000 in attendance. Stone preaching from a tree stump at the revival ‐30‐40 Preachers at the meeting: Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist making it a “unity” event that would have an impact on Stone for the rest of his life ‐Cane Ridge gained nationwide attention largely due to the controversial “religious exercises” that swept through the camp: o Falling – subject would shriek and fall to floor (at times up to 12 hours). Witnesses reported the grounds were literally “strewn like a battlefield” o Jerks‐ whole body jerking violently. Cases of women’s long hair making a “whip‐like” sounds o Barking‐ subject “grunted” or gasped audibly. Similar to a bark. Subjects would be on hands and knees “barking up trees.” o Running – exercise directed toward “unbelievers” – feel something seizing them and attempt to run away from it o Laughing‐ Stone called this “loud, hearty, but rapturously solemn” o Dancing – person would dance till exhaustion. This will catch the attention of the Shakers who will send missionaries to the area. Stone will be an ardent opponent of the Shakers o Singing‐ Stone wrote, “The subject, in a very happy state of mind, would sing most melodiously, not from the mouth or nose, but entirely in the breast.” ‐Following the revival – Stone & his colleagues (referred to as Revivalists) will be charged with heresy. ‐1803 Stone & others will withdraw forming the “Springfield Presbytery” Revival scene ‐1804 the group writes: Last Will & Testament of the Springfield Presbytery. Many consider this to be the beginning of the Restoration Movement ‐Stone continued preaching at Cane Ridge until 1812 ‐By 1826, Stone’s movement had 300 churches and 15,000 members ‐1826‐1844 – Published a magazine called the Christian Messenger Cane Ridge built 1791 ‐Stone’s Motto – “Let Christian Unity be our Polar Star” ‐1832 – Stone was a pivotal leader in uniting his followers with the Campbell Movement ‐Stone continued to preach, teach, and promote unity throughout the remainder of his life Jan. 1832 – Stone‐Campbell unite
‐1841 – Stone suffered a debilitating stroke ‐1844 – Died in the home of his daughter in Hannibal, MO ‐Stone’s body was moved to Cane Ridge Cemetery Stone’s tombstone Cane Ridge, KY THOMAS CAMPBELL (1763‐1854) Born on Feb. 1, 1763 in the vicinity of Newry in County Down, Northern Ireland •
Converted to Seceder Presbyterian Church ‐Soon felt called to the ministry within the Presbyterian Church ‐1783‐1786 – Completed a literary degree at Glasgow in preparation for a ministry career ‐June 1787 – Married Jane Corneigle – Their 1st child, Alexander, born in September 1788 ‐1787‐1791 – Completed a five‐year course of study (eight weeks per year) at Divinity Hall in Whitburn, Scotland ‐1791‐1798 – Returned to Ireland as a probationary minister for the Presbyterian Church Sketch of Glasgow University 1650 ‐Refused a request to be the private tutor for the Earl of Gosford’s children Gosford Castle near Armagh ‐Ordained and installed as the preacher at Ahorey Presbyterian Church near Rich Hill ‐Rebellion of 1798 and Rebellion of 1803 in Ireland. Thomas Campbell remained a pacifist throughout his life. Ahorey Presbyterian Church ‐1804 – Associate Synod appointed Campbell to a committee to end the schism between the Burgers and Anti‐Burger of the Irish Presbyterian Church – Effort failed in 1805 leaving Thomas highly disappointed ‐1807 – Leaving his family in Rich Hill, Campbell set sail aboard the Brutus for the United States ‐May 13, 1807 – Arrived in Philadelphia Campbell’s home and academy in Rich Hill, Northern Ireland – ‐May 18, 1807 – Accepted into the Anti‐Burgher Synod of Philadelphia and assigned to the Chartiers Presbytery ‐August 1807 – Offered communion to all Presbyterians (not just Seceders) at a meeting in Cannamaugh, PA ‐October 1807‐March 1808 – Accused of heresy and suspended from his ministerial duties ‐Following an appeal to the Synod and a trial, Campbell withdrew from the Presbyterian Church on May 19, 1809 ‐Summer 1809 – Formed the Christian Association of Washington ‐An agency—not a church—to promote evangelism and the idea of Christian cooperation ‐Their motto became: “Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; Where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent” Campbell wrote the Declaration and Address while residing in an upper room in the home of Dr. Nathan Welch ‐August 1809 – Campbell was commissioned to write a document stating the purpose and objectives for their organization ‐Sept. 1809 – The Christian Association approved of the Declaration and Address and chose to have it published. The most important document to come out of the Restoration Movement ‐Oct. 1809 – Thomas’ family arrived in America from Northern Ireland after nearly 2½ years ‐Both Thomas and Alexander Campbell had independently left the Presbyterian Church ‐1811 – Formed the Brush Run Church Brush Run Church ‐ Pennsylvania ‐Campbell spent the remainder of his life as a preacher, teacher, and Restoration Movement promoter ‐Died: Jan. 4, 1854 (age 90) ‐Campbell’s Declaration and Address gave guidance and direction to the young Restoration Movement Photo of an Aged Thomas Campbell ALEXANDER CAMPBELL (1788‐1866) ‐Born on Sept. 12, 1788 in County Antrim, N. Ireland ‐Educated by his father, Thomas, and raised as a strict Seceder Presbyterian ‐Alexander spent some of his childhood in the vicinity of Shane’s Castle near the city of Armagh ‐Alexander assisted his father as a tutor in his father’s academy ‐He wanted a university education, but the family’s poor economic condition would not allow it The ruins of Shane’s Castle on Lough Neagh ‐1807 – Thomas Campbell, Alexander’s father, departed for the United States – He soon sent word for his family to join him in the New World Earliest portrait of Alexander Campbell (date unknown) ‐Sept. 1808 – The Campbell family set sail on a journey to join Thomas Campbell in the United States ‐Journey halted because of a major storm ‐Alexander had a dream that the ship would wreck and slept fully clothed ‐The ship did in fact wreck and Alexander made the promise to God that he would enter into Christian ministry if he and his family survived. Newspaper of the departure & shipwreck of the Hibernia ‐1808 ‐1808‐1809 – After the shipwreck, the Campbells resided in Glasgow, Scotland, where Alexander attended the University of Glasgow ‐1809 – Alexander broke from the Presbyterian Church during the semi‐annual communion service. His biographer wrote, “The ring of the token, falling upon the plate, announced the instant at which he renounced Presbyterianism forever, the leaden voucher becoming thus a token not of communion, but of separation.” Communion tokens were granted only to those who were examined & “approved” by the church ‐Aug. 1809 – Campbell family journeys to the United States ‐1809 – Reunites with Thomas and agrees to pursue the principles of the Declaration and Address ‐ 1810 – Preaches first sermon – was such a success that he preached an additional 106 sermons that year ‐ 1811 – Married Margaret Brown (died 1827) ‐May 1811 – Formed the Brush Run Church with Alexander as Preacher ‐Campbell’s initiate weekly communion at the Brush Run Church Photo of Brush Run Church ‐1812 – The Campbells accept immersion as NT form of baptism ‐Shortly after begin associating with Baptists ‐1816 – Preaches the famous “Sermon on the Law” ‐1818 – Campbell opened the Buffaloe Seminary in his home (closed in 1822) Campbell home – Bethany, WV
‐Early Debates with Presbyterians: John Walker (1820) and W. L. McCalla (1823) ‐1823‐1830 – Christian Baptist – Campbell’s iconoclastic periodical ‐1826 – Published The Living Oracles, the first modern translation of the New Testament in the U.S. ‐1828 – Married Selina Bakewell after his first wife died Campbell with wife Selina
‐1829 – Debates the skeptic Robert Owen in Cincinnati on the evidences of Christianity. Gains an international reputation and referred to as the “Defender of the Faith” Campbell‐Owen Debate – 1829 Drew thousands of spectators. Many viewed it as a clash between Skepticism & Christianity ‐1829‐30 – Serves as member of the Virginia Constitutional Convention Virginia Constitutional Convention Campbell seated on far right ‐1829 ends publication of the Christian Baptist and begins publishing the Millennial Harbinger. Ends association with Baptists ‐Becomes a leading figure in an emerging movement to reform Christianity ‐Campbell took extensive speaking tours and spoke to thousands of people at a time – Became the leadings spokesman for the movement ‐1837 – Debated Roman Catholic Bishop John B. Purcell in Cincinnati, OH Archbishop John B. Purcell ‐1840 – Founded Bethany College and served as president until his death ‐1843 – Debated Presbyterian Nathan L. Rice in Lexington, Kentucky – Henry Clay served as debate moderator ‐1847 – Campbell toured Great Britain and was met by enormous crowds – Identified as the “Great Reformer” The tower of “Old Main” at Bethany College ‐Maintained a very active life up until the start of the Civil War: Preacher, Writer, Editor, Debater, Teacher, Farmer, Postmaster, and more A sketch of Campbell and his walking stick •
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Recently discovered photo entitled, “The Bishop in his Study” Campbell’s Study Habits: 1 hour to study of Greek 1 hour to study of Latin ½ hour to study of Hebrew “Light from Above,” Campbell’s study at his Bethany home where he spent many hours in prayer & study •
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2 hours for the study of a Bible text in its original language Commitment of 10 verses of Scripture to memory per day Additional time for the study of Church History ‐March 1866 – After a long and strenuous life, Campbell died at his home in Bethany A photo of an aged Alexander Campbell not long before his death Alexander Campbell’s grave monument in “God’s Acre,” the Campbell family’s cemetery on the hillside overlooking his home “Now as for Mr. Campbell’s standing in future ages, I think it is quite within the bounds of truth to say that, not ecclesiastical history alone, but profane history will place him on the same pedestal with Luther and Calvin and Wesley, the peer of either of them. Had he lived in the early ages of Christendom and accomplished the wonderful amount of good with which he is justly credited, he would, after death have been sanctified and canonized and ‘enrolled in the capitol’ along with St. Chrysostom and St. Jerome as a father in the church, his name forever embalmed in its annals as a worthy successor of St. Peter and St. Paul” ‐Archbishop John B. Purcell WALTER SCOTT (1796‐1861) ‐Born in Scotland ‐Graduated from Edinburgh University in 1817 ‐Emigrated to U.S. in 1818 and worked as a teacher at an academy in Pittsburgh under George Forrester who was also a preacher ‐1820 George Forrester drowned and Scott took over ‐1821 – Met Alexander Campbell and became very close friends and lifelong co‐
workers in Christian reform ‐1827 – Scott was selected as evangelist of the Mahoning Baptist Association ‐1827‐1830 – Scott became a highly successful evangelist of the Western Reserve of Ohio, bringing thousands to Christ ‐Through study of Scripture, Scott understood that Christianity exists on one great fact: Jesus is the Christ. Scott would bring the principles of the Restoration Movement to the people ‐Scott develops the idea that apostolic preaching is geared toward presenting evidence that Jesus is the Christ ‐Forms the “Plan of Salvation” or the “Gospel Restored” ‐Being a former school teacher, Scott would ride into town, wait for school to let out & teach a game to the kids called the “Five‐Finger Exercise” 1.
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Believe that Jesus is the Christ Repent Be baptized Receive forgiveness for your sins Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit Evangelists were met with many dangers, rigorous travel and long periods of isolation ‐He would then have the children go tell their parents what they learned and that he would be preaching later that day with an explanation ‐An average of a thousand baptisms per year for three years – the majority being outside of the Church, though at time he was met with opposition (one young man threatened to shoot him if he baptized his mother!) Examples of th
late 19 century baptisms by immersion ‐1832‐1844 – Published The Evangelist ‐1834 – Gov. of Ohio appointed Scott a trustee of Miami University in Oxford, OH ‐1836 – 1st president of Bacon College in Georgetown, KY ‐1861 Scott died in Mayslick Kentucky on April 23 ‐In Scott’s time as an evangelist, he traveled over 90,000 miles & preached over 9,000 sermons, bringing thousands to Christ Robert Richardson, Campbell's biographer, wrote: "Among the helpers and fellow laborers of Alexander Campbell, the first place must be awarded to Walter Scott. Walter made the apostles his model, and went before the world with the same message, in the same order, with the same conditions and promises." “Belief in Jesus produces an inclination to be obedient to Him, if you truly believe, then you are inclined to do whatever Jesus says” –Walter Scott