The ''Christian Baptist'', established in 1823 by Alexander Campbell, was the first magazine associated with the early

Restoration Movement The Restoration Movement (also known as the American Restoration Movement or the Stone–Campbell Movement, and pejoratively as Campbellism) is a Christian movement that began on the United States frontier during the Second Great Awakening (17 ...

.Douglas Allen Foster and Anthony L. Dunnavant, ''The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, Churches of Christ'', Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2004, , , 854 pages, entry on ''Christian Baptist, The'', pp. 174-175Douglas Allen Foster and Anthony L. Dunnavant, ''The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, Churches of Christ'', Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2004, , , 854 pages, entry on ''Campbell, Alexander'', pp. 129-130 The prospectus for the ''Christian Baptist'' described its purpose as " oespouse the cause of no religious sect, excepting that ancient sect called 'Christians first at Antioch.' Its sole object shall be the eviction of truth, and the exposure of error in doctrine and practice." The style has been described as "lively" and "sarcastic". Campbell discontinued the ''Christian Baptist'' in 1830 and began publishing a new journal named the ''

Millennial Harbinger The ''Millennial Harbinger'' was a religious magazine established by the early Restoration Movement leader Alexander Campbell in 1830.Douglas A. Foster and Anthony L. Dunnavant, ''The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement: Christian Church ...

'' which had a "milder tone".Douglas Allen Foster and Anthony L. Dunnavant, ''The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, Churches of Christ'', Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2004, , , 854 pages, entry on ''Millennial Harbinger, The'', pp. 517-518 Campbell_Alexander

History

The original idea for publishing a monthly journal originated with Alexander's father, Thomas Campbell, in 1809. Alexander was convinced that an audience existed for his ideas by the success of a published version of one of his debates. The ''Baptist'' was

printed Printing is a process for mass reproducing text and images using a master form or template. The earliest non-paper products involving printing include cylinder seals and objects such as the Cyrus Cylinder and the Cylinders of Nabonidus. The e ...

in a shop that Alexander built on his own property. Contributing writers included Thomas Campbell and

Walter Scott Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet (15 August 1771 – 21 September 1832), was a Scottish novelist, poet, playwright and historian. Many of his works remain classics of European and Scottish literature, notably the novels '' Ivanhoe'', '' Rob Roy ...

, and the ''Baptist'' was instrumental in attracting a number of individuals, including "Raccoon" John Smith, to the movement. By 1830 Campbell had become concerned about the denominational associations suggested by the name of the ''Christian Baptist''. In addition, the Baptists with whom the Campbells had been associating were becoming increasingly frustrated with Alexander's criticisms and had begun to evict individuals associated with Campbell's reform efforts. Campbell discontinued the ''Christian Baptist'' in 1830 and began publishing a new journal named the ''

''. He was concerned that "Christian Baptist" - which he considered to be less appropriate than the biblical term "Disciples" - was becoming the de facto name of the group. He also wanted the new journal to have a more positive tone, promoting reform and preparing the world for the

second coming The Second Coming (sometimes called the Second Advent or the Parousia) is a Christian (as well as Islamic and Baha'i) belief that Jesus will return again after his ascension to heaven about two thousand years ago. The idea is based on messian ...

Christ Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...

.Gary Holloway
"Alexander Campbell as a Publisher"
''

Restoration Quarterly ''Restoration Quarterly'' is a scholarly journal associated with the Churches of Christ. It focuses on issues of interest to the Churches of Christ and other groups associated with the Restoration Movement The Restoration Movement (also known ...

'', Vol. 37 No. 1 (1995) The transition was not immediate, as he published both magazines during the first seven months of 1830.

References

External links

''The Christian Baptist''
at the

Internet Archive The Internet Archive is an American digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It provides free public access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, software applications/games, music, ...

{{Restoration Movement Restoration Movement Christian magazines Magazines established in 1823 Magazines disestablished in 1830