Declaration & Address (eBook)

Thomas Campbell, the author of this pamphlet, did not comesuddenly or unnaturally to the place that must be allowed him in thehistory of the nineteenth century; nor was it a painless process. Hewas born in county Down, Ireland, February 1st, 1763, of Scotchancestry of course. Though his father had renounced Romanismfor the Church of England he long forbade his eldest son to becomea minister of the Anti-Burgher Seceder Presbyterians. His trainingincluded complete courses in Glasgow University and Divinity Hall.After his probation he was nine years minister at Ahorey. More and more his heart cried out against divisions in the familyof God. In 1804 at the Synod in Belfast and in 1805 at the jointmeeting in Lurgan he led the movement for uniting the two bodiesof Seceders. In 1806 he was sent to the General Synod in Glas-gow to plead the same cause. The reunion was effected in 1820. In 1807 he removed to America and began preaching at oncein Western Pennsylvania, then a sparsely settled region of thefrontier. It is impossible for those living in these happier times torealize the bitterness of the sectarian strife which he found, or thespiritual destitution, moral decay and infidel arrogance that had grownout of this fresh crucifixion of the Christ. The vigor, originality, scripturalness and brotherliness of hispreaching drew many hearers. New friends constantly vied withthe steadfast affection of those who had known him in Ireland.Suddenly, to his amazement, the Presbytery of Chartiers censuredhim for admitting other Presbyterians than Seceders to a communionservice held for scattered families on the Allegheny River abovePittsburgh. On appeal the Synod removed the censure but chargedhim to beware of further offense. Under persistent persecution hewithdrew from the Synod's jurisdiction and continued to preachindependently until the events herein set forth. He brought to the supreme task of his life--the writing of thisdocument--incorruptible faith, unconquerable hope and inexhaustiblelove; the fulness of learning, the poise of reflection and the ripenessof experience. With entire and unconscious effacement of self hesought the glory of Christ and the happiness of mankind. Thomas Campbell not only discovered the necessity and thebasis of Christian union but he possessed the spirit of it. In theconviction that he was only a hundred years ahead of his age hismessage is sent forth anew. May He who is the Truth again addHis blessing.