The President’s Desk

We’ve heard you loud and clear: You love history. We’re happy to know that, because we do, too.

This love is evident in the rich tradition of our journal of Stone-Campbell history. The love for scholarship has been evident in every issue. And your devotion as subscribers has been much appreciated.

In 2007 Discipliana will be given a brand new look. It will still hold the very best in historical essays and then so much more. We think you’re going to like it.

We also sense your love for Church and a shared faith. And we know that you are just as interested as we are in telling the marvelous story of love displayed in our living Lord.

When you read this issue you’re going to see lots of great news. You can always find out more in the online edition. We cherish our history and we are excited about out future. You could say we cherish excitement!

In Christ’s Peace,
Glenn Thomas Carson
President

 

Beasley Foundation Awards Grant

The Theodore and Beulah Beasley Foundation of Dallas, Texas has granted Disciples of Christ Historical Society $150,000 to help in restoring our historic building. It is estimated that $3.2 million is required for all needed upgrades.

Our thanks to the Beasley Foundation for this significant and gracious gift.

 

Dr. Raymond Brown Elected Board Chair

At the fall meeting of the Trustees, Dr. Raymond Brown was elected to serve as Chair of the Board for 2007-08. He becomes the first African-American to hold that position in the 65 year history of DCHS.

Dr. Brown studied at Jarvis Christian College and Drake University. Now retired, he and his wife Suzanne are members of Downey Avenue Christian Church (DOC) in Indianapolis.

Over a long and fruitful career, Dr. Brown served in numerous posts, but has always remained a pastor at heart. Among his many ministries were his leadership role at Church Extension (Senior Vice President) and an interim at the helm of Disciples Home Missions.

Already a member of our Board, Dr. Brown has brought his expertise to the Historical Society’s programming. Now, as Chair, he will oversee bold plans for 2007 and beyond.

 

New Release

A Future History: Christianity for the Next Generation, the new book from our President, Glenn Thomas Carson, is now available. This book features four central ideas for the health and well-being of the Stone-Campbell heritage. It will enrich your own spiritual life and also makes a great gift.

Each book is only $5.00 (plus $2 S&H). Only $3.50 per book for orders of 10 or more (contact us for S&H cost).

Order your copy today at mail@discipleshistory.org or
866-834-7563

 

Christian History Moment

David Sylvester Ligon (1866-1956), known for his portraits of preachers, studied at the “Bible Training School” in Indiana set up by William Henry Krutsinger (1838-1916).

(From The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement, Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2004)

 

Happenings

• 19 congregational historians studied at the Historical Society this past September during our Stalcup Seminar. Make your plans now to attend the next Stalcup in the fall of 2008.
  
  
• A biography of Disciples leader Kenneth Teegarden will be released in 2007. The book is written by our DCHS Historian, D. Duane Cummins and will be published by TCU Press. Dr. Cummins has also completed work on the 2nd volume of Eva Jean Wrather’s life of Alexander Campbell. It is also forthcoming from TCU Press in 2007.
  
  
• Holiday Hours.
  DCHS is open by appointment only the week between Christmas and New Year. To schedule, contact Vice President Sara Harwell: harwell@discipleshistory.org

 

Historical Society Receving Outstanding Historical Documents

In September, the Society received one of the richest collections ever deposited in its archives when the letters and sermons of early evangelist Philip Slater Fall (1798-1890) were placed in the collections of the Historical Society by the First Christian Church at Frankfort, Kentucky.

It is almost impossible to overstate the significance of these materials in the history of the Stone-Campbell heritage. The members of First Christian Church are to be commended for their diligence and care in preserving these documents in their archives for more than seven decades. Plans for the Fall Papers include the completion of the transcriptions of the letters and sermons and digitizing them for access over the Internet. First Christian Church will celebrate its 175th anniversary in December 2007.

The Philip Fall Papers consist primarily of several hundred letters and approximately twenty sermon manuscripts. Included in this correspondence are twenty-eight letters from Alexander Campbell and five letters from Walter Scott. Correspondence from many more early leaders of the Christian Church are contained in the collection; they include Campbell’s friend and biographer Robert Richardson, Russell Errett, future President James A. Garfield, D. Pat Henderson, and many others. In addition, the collection contains extensive correspondence among Fall family members: Philip Fall’s wife and partner in education Anne Apperson Fall, his sister (and wife of Gospel Advocate editor Tolbert Fanning) Charlotte Fall Fanning, and his many other siblings and children.

The Society has also received the diaries of George Darsie, who was pastor of the First Christian Church at Frankfort from 1876 to 1904, consist of almost fifty volumes covering the years 1866 to 1904, the year he died. Long-range plans including transcribing and digitizing these important documents.

 

Attention: Life Members!

If you are a Life Member of DCHS, you will always be a Life Member. We will no longer offer life memberships after this year, but that does not change your status.

You are our best ambassadors and we so appreciate your continuing support.