The ''Millennial Harbinger'' was a religious

magazine A magazine is a periodical publication, generally published on a regular schedule (often weekly or monthly), containing a variety of content. They are generally financed by advertising, purchase price, prepaid subscriptions, or by a combinatio ...

established by 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 ...

leader Alexander Campbell in 1830.

Douglas A. Foster Douglas A. Foster (born August 30, 1952) is author and scholar known for his work on the history of Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement. Life Douglas A. Foster was born in Sheffield, Alabama. He grew up in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Upon completing his ...

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 Campbell viewed the magazine as an important vehicle for promoting the religious reforms that he believed would help usher in the

millennium A millennium (plural millennia or millenniums) is a period of one thousand years, sometimes called a kiloannum (ka), or kiloyear (ky). Normally, the word is used specifically for periods of a thousand years that begin at the starting point (ini ...

History

Campbell began publishing the ''Harbinger'' on January 1, 1830, and it soon became a leading forum for the

during the period prior to the

Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...

. The ''Harbinger'' was intended as a successor to Campbell's prior magazine, the ''

Christian Baptist The ''Christian Baptist'', established in 1823 by Alexander Campbell, was the first magazine associated with the early Restoration Movement.Douglas Allen Foster and Anthony L. Dunnavant, ''The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement: Christia ...

'', even though he published both magazines during the first seven months of 1830. Campbell had become concerned about the

denominational A religious denomination is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name and tradition among other activities. The term refers to the various Christian denominations (for example, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and the many variet ...

associations suggested by the name of the ''Christian Baptist''. Differences of opinion were arising between Campbell and the Baptists, and in many cases Baptist associations were expelling those who were associated with the Campbell movement. 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 of Christ. 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) During the 1830s the ''Harbinger'' provided reporting on the merger of the

Disciples of Christ (Campbell Movement) The Disciples of Christ (Campbell Movement) were a group arising during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century. The most prominent leaders were Thomas and Alexander Campbell. The group was committed to restoring primitive Christia ...

with the

Christians (Stone Movement) The Christians (Stone Movement) were a group arising during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century. The most prominent leader was Barton W. Stone. The group was committed to restoring Christian primitivism, primitive Christianity. ...

. During the 1840s Campbell used the ''Harbinger'' to urge greater cooperation between congregations and to avoid polarization and fragmentation of the movement over the issue of

slavery Slavery and enslavement are both the state and the condition of being a slave—someone forbidden to quit one's service for an enslaver, and who is treated by the enslaver as property. Slavery typically involves slaves being made to perf ...

. Campbell became less active in publishing the ''Harbinger'' during the late 1850s, turning most of the work over to his son-in-law W. K. Pendleton. Pendleton continued publishing the ''Harbinger'' after Campbell's death in 1866. Increased competition led to the ''Harbinger's'' decline, and Pendleton discontinued publishing it in 1870.

References

External links

''The Millennial Harbinger''
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 1830 establishments in the United States 1870 disestablishments in the United States Monthly magazines published in the United States Religious magazines published in the United States Christian magazines Defunct magazines published in the United States Magazines established in 1830 Magazines disestablished in 1870 Magazines published in West Virginia Restoration Movement

History

See also

References

External links