A Biography of Alexander Campbell

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Douglas A. Foster wrote a critical biography of Alexander Campbell titled A Life Of Alexander Campbell.  A review of this book is posted on this blog under the page Book Reviews.  The review is fourteen and one-half pages which is longer than normal, but it gives a thorough review of the book.  Foster attempts to give the good and bad aspects of Campbell’s character and life.   The book shows the complexities of Campbell’s life, his indefatigable efforts in advancing his ideas and biblical principles, his weaknesses as a man, his multitudinous controversies, and his intellectual strengths.  Foster points out that Campbell is the almost forgotten man in respect to the development of religious life in America.  Forgotten even among the heirs of his own efforts at the restoration of New Testament Christianity.  Campbell does leave a legacy that needs to be explored in respect to the principles that are Scriptural and applicable to our own day.  Hopefully, you will read the review and then, begin a more zealous pursuit of the principles that guided Alexander Campbell to carefully study God’s Word and follow it wherever it led him.  His efforts led to the most significant indigenous religious movement in American history.  That effort is worthy of serious study and reflection.

God’s Knob

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View From God's Knob
View From God’s Knob
View From God's Knob
View From God’s Knob
Area Where The Church Building Stood
Area Where The Church Building Stood
One of Three Foundation Stones
One of Three Foundation Stones
Cemetery on God's Knob
Cemetery on God’s Knob
One of the Headstones still readable
One of the Headstones still readable

“God’s Knob” is located in Guernsey Co. Ohio about 2 1/2 miles from Quaker City, Ohio.  It is located on Pultney Ridge.  Alexander Campbell preached at this church which dates to around 1817??  There were about 40 members.  There are 14 names listed in the record of the cemetery.  Five of the individuals buried there were Galloways.  Could this be the oldest congregation of churches of Christ in Ohio?  Later, this congregation moved from God’s Knob to Quaker City. 

Virginia Constitutional Convention 1829-1830

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Old House Chamber, Richmond, VA  renovated.  c. 2009

Old House Chamber, Richmond, VA renovated. c. 2009

George Catlin Picture--Virgina Constitutional Convention 1829-1830
George Catlin Painting–Virginia Constitutional Convention 1829-1830
     The painting was done by George Catlin in Richmond, VA during the winter of 1829-1830.  The artist George Catlin was seized with the idea of capturing the likenesses of the assembled statesmen in a single grand style painting.  Eventually, all 101 delegates went to Catlin’s studio to have their portraits painted in watercolors.  Then Catlin painted this oil version on a walnut board.  Catlin slightly enlarged the heads in proportion to the bodies to give a good likeness of each man.  Catlin’s miniatures are the only surviving portraits of many of the delegates.  No prints ever were made, but Catlin went on to win fame as a painter of American Indians.  Former presidents James Madison and James Monroe and future president John Tyler and Chief Justice John Marshall were among the delegates.  Their presence led to its being called the last meeting of giants of the Revolutionary generation.  Alexander Campbell was present representing Brooke County, VA.  Campbell was esteemed by the men present for his knowledge of the Scriptures.  He appears in the last row, sixth from the right. 
     The  photograph was taken recently of the Old House Chamber in the State Capitol building in Richmond, VA.  The Old House Chamber has been completely renovated.