Lester G. McAllister

I added this nearly 60-year old book to my library in March 2013 and recently read it for the first time. My book, purchased from the used book market, was pulled from a public library in North Dakota and had never been checked out! I am glad to have it and for taking the time to read it.

Thomas Campbell (1763-1854) was one of four persons, along with his son Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone, and Walter Scott, who are given credit for the establishment of the American Disciples of Christ denomination in the early years of the nineteenth century. In reality, none of the four intended to establish another denomination, but their intentions were to unite all Christians into one apostolic church. Of course that ideal was not realized, and in fact their unity efforts soon splintered into three main religious “streams,” which today are known as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, and non-instrumental (a Capella) churches of Christ. Sadly, each stream is further splintered.

As is reflected in the subtitle, “Man of the Book,” the author sees the Bible as being of uppermost importance to Thomas Campbell, and as such, it is the theme of each chapter throughout the book. Chapters are:

I. Years in Ireland and Scotland [from Thomas Campbell's birth in 1763 until he left for America in 1807]
II. Experiences on the Frontier [T. Campbell was a Presbyterian clergy-person]
III. The Declaration and Address [T. Campbell's famous document on Christian unity]
IV. The Movement is Launched [the impact that the D and A made in the region and church]
V. Alexander Gains an Able Assistant [the emergence of the leadership of A. Campbell and Walter Scott]
VI. Venerable Father Campbell [T. Campbell taking a backseat to his son, yet he is still involved]
VII. The Summing Up [T. Campbell's last years and death in 1854]

The book is documented with a number of excellent primary and secondary sources cited. It contains a bibliography, but bear in mind the book is now 60 years old. There is a limited index.

The book is well-written and often quoted. The author was a Disciples historian, educator, author of numerous articles and books, and Christian Church minister. He was well-qualified to write a biography of Thomas Campbell, and I am happy to have his book in my library. Persons interested in learning more of the lives of early leaders of the Stone-Campbell religious heritage should put this book on their “must read” list.… (més)

Although I've tagged it an "autobiography," the book is, as stated by the author, "numerous anecdotes of events just as I have lived them." Typically throughout the book, an "anecdote" is just one page of text. At the top of each one is a title and the age of the author at the time. Anecdotes are presented in chronological order, which is nice.

Frankly, I enjoyed the book. Reading it was akin to looking at a photo album of a stranger -- interesting, but not necessarily an unforgettable experience! The book is a very quick read, which helps.

Up to now, I have one other book by McAllster, Journey in Faith: A History of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) co-authored with William Tucker in 1975. This little book is by no means in the same category of value, yet for persons interested in learning more about their Stone-Campbell religious heritage, as am I, I can recommend it.

A nice feature of the book is the few pages at the end, "As I Lived It Year By Year," which lists "highlights" of the author's life beginning with his birth in 1919.

In 2009, I received the 1994 book from the Disciples of Christ Historical Society in appreciation for a donation. I'm glad to have it in my library.… (més)