Tag Archives: Restoration Movement

Kill the Cat!

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The following anecdote is taken from Recollections of Men of Faith, by W.C. Rogers (soon to be in the Jimmie Beller Memorial eLibrary, as well as in print from Cobb Publishing).  This is from the chapter on B.F. Hall.  Enjoy!

One night he (B.F. Hall) was much disturbed in the beginning and during the delivery of his discourse. A white cat had noiselessly, and no doubt innocently, followed someone into the meeting-house, and just as the Doctor entered the pulpit he spied the unfortunate truant. Immediately, and with much ado, he ordered that the cat be thrust out from among the good people who had come together to hear him preach, alleging, with more or less emphasis, that he could not possibly preach if he even knew that a cat was in the house, although it might be hid; that he hated cats and dogs immensely. A dear brother snatched poor pussycat, and, notwithstanding it may have wanted a corner ever so much, he flung it out the door violently, and as a presumptuous intruder.

When the Doctor took his text and began speaking, he seemed to be unhinged — altogether or largely out of kilter. He appeared to be thinking of the cat, fearing that it might make its appearance while he was engaged in preaching. And, sure enough, he heard the fatal mew. Stopping suddenly, snapping his eyes in a peculiar manner, he remarked with indignation, “Brethren, I was afraid of this when I commenced preaching; here is this abominable cat again; the devil has sent it just to ruin my discourse; I cannot, I will not, preach another word until you have killed that infamous thing, or put it in durance (imprisonment) vile.” The cat was again waited upon by someone, and was this time handled so roughly that it returned not again during the evening services. But alas! The Doctor was not able to overcome his embarrassment, or recover himself sufficiently to do himself justice, or speak to the edification of his hearers. It was clear to all that it was an uphill business to speak throughout his entire discourse, and all on account of a cat.

 

The Judge Who Objected to Muddy Baptism

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The following story is recorded in Recollections of Men of Faith, by W.C. Rogers, in the chapter on John. T. Johnson.  This book will soon be available in the Jimmie Beller Memorial eLibrary, as well as in print from Cobb Publishing.  But we thought this section was well worth sharing, and we hope you do too.  Enjoy!

In company with Elder R.C. Ricketts, a prominent preacher in Kentucky, John T. Johnson visited Little Rock, Ark., for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel in its primitive purity and power.

After the meeting had advanced a number of days, and quite a number of persons had become obedient to the faith, an incident occurred of more than ordinary interest, and which I feel ought to be preserved. Judge Johnson, of the city of Little Rock, a brother of the evangelist, a prominent politician, had been attending the meeting nightly with his wife, but neither belonged to any religious body. Like many others, Judge Johnson had never given the subject of Christianity very much thought; perhaps owing to the fact that he was constantly engaged in the affairs of this life, and had no time, as he supposed; it may have been that he knew not what to do, because of the many sad divisions in Christendom. Through courtesy or curiosity, he and his amiable wife had been attending church and listening to the preaching of John T. Johnson and R.C. Ricketts. But sometimes it turns out that those who attend religious services through curiosity become deeply concerned for their souls’ salvation. This was the case with the Judge and his wife at the time of which we are speaking, although, I presume, neither would have acknowledged it.

One morning after breakfast, seated in the parlor with his brother, John T., Elder Ricketts, and his wife, the Judge filed several formidable objections to the course pursued by the preachers in the meeting they were then conducting. Of course he did this, be it understood, in the most polite manner possible; still, with honesty, and desiring, no doubt, that a change be made in the management of the meeting. When offering his advice, the Judge supposed he understood himself perfectly — knew precisely what he would do under given circumstances. But it is difficult to know one’s self. It is certainly not an easy task to divine what the strongest minded persons would do under heavy pressure of circumstances. “The best of men are men at best.” It would be well to remember this in all of our wise forecastings. The preachers had baptized several persons in the Arkansas River, and now the Judge had come to the conclusion that this ought to be stopped. And why? Because the waters were too muddy in which to administer this divine ordinance. “If I should ever be baptized,” he continued, “it will “never occur in the Arkansas River. I will never go down into that muddy stream of water — never. I would prefer to go to a beautiful clear pool of water near the city, should I ever consent to be baptized. Besides, I seriously object to your administering the ordinance of baptism, while the lawyers, doctors, and the reckless ones about the city, are lining the banks of the river, and some are engaged in talking and laughing and making unbecoming remarks. This is certainly not in good taste — is certainly not in harmony with my views of propriety or good order, under such circumstances I could not consent to be baptized. I must have pure, clear water, and only a few friends.”

“Very well,” said Bro. Ricketts, “we will go with you and a few chosen friends to some clear pool and baptize you whenever you are willing to make the good confession — whenever you are prepared to submit to this command of Christ.”

The Judge replied: “Understand me, I am not saying that I ever intend to become a member of the church. I do not know that I will ever join any church. I am only telling you that I do not think it proper to baptize in the Arkansas River, and that I never could, under the circumstances, consent to be, as others have been. Again, should I ever join the church — and I may or may not — I trust to be able to control my feelings a little better than some who have come forward during this meeting and confessed faith in Christ. They have shown great weakness in weeping like children — at least it seems so to me. Should I ever be induced to go forward and confess Christ, I hope I shall have manliness enough about me to do so without shedding a tear.” “Come forward, Judge, in your own way; if you are a believing penitent, and fully prepared to obey the Gospel from the heart, in order to the enjoyment of all the blessings promised, we care not as to the manner,” rejoined Bro. Ricketts. The following remarks were offered by the Judge in closing: “You and my brother may suppose from what I have said that I purpose becoming a member of the church. I confess that I understand the teaching of Christ and the Apostles as I never did before. I see a fitness, beauty, and adaptation in the plan of redemption which has been hid from me heretofore. But I have not at all determined to join the church. I am fully persuaded that it is the duty of all persons to attach themselves to the church of Jesus Christ, but I am not prepared to say I am ready to do so now. I trust you will not look upon what I have said to you as meddling; pursue your own course. Still, I am convinced that there is far too much feeling manifested by those who confess Christ and obey him in your meeting, and that you ought, if in your power, to suppress it.”

Bro. Ricketts added that he thought there was no improper excitement in the meeting. There had been no shouting, no clapping of hands, no swooning or fainting. No unjust means had been used to compel persons to become the disciples of Christ. The Gospel had been presented in its fullness, so far as the speakers were enabled to offer it to the people. “This glorious Gospel is God’s power to save those who believe and obey it, and, mark you, there is no power like it in this world. All persons are not alike in their make-up. Some, in renouncing sin, weep bitterly; others show but little feeling. This is owing to the difference in the emotional nature. And there is no need in our attempting to regulate these things; they must take their course. But few persons know themselves.”

The following night the Judge and his wife came to church and sat a little nearer the pulpit than usual, the wife placing herself on the end of the bench and next the aisle; the Judge occupying a place near the center of the house and directly in front of the pulpit. At the conclusion of the discourse, and while the invitation song was being sung, the Judge’s wife stepped forward and gave her hand to Bro. Ricketts. She took her seat on the front bench preparatory to making the good confession. The Judge, seeing this, could bear up no longer; so, stepping right over the benches, forward he came, and, weeping as a child, seated himself beside his wife, the great tears rolling down his furrowed cheeks. Making the good confession with much feeling, he remarked in the hearing of many, “I am now ready to go down into the muddy waters of the Arkansas and be baptized in the presence of the lawyers, doctors, and all who may be inclined to witness my obedience to the faith.” How few know themselves.

 

The Preacher Who was Kicked out of the Church…

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Elijah Martindale, a pioneer preacher of the 1800s, was quite an interesting character.  If you read the free preview edition of the Quarterly (you can download it here), then you got to read some of the interesting things that happened in his life, including the fact that he was kicked out of the church that he was preaching for…

because he preached the truth on baptism and salvation.

There are a lot of interesting things that happened in this man’s life, and we only touched a few of them in the Quarterly.  But today, we are giving you a much fuller picture.

Today’s addition to the absolutely free Jimmie Beller Memorial eLibrary is The Autobiography and Sermons of Elijah Martindale.  Take a look at what you can read in this free eBook:

  • Chapter I.
    Birth and Early Training — Emigration to Ohio — To Indiana — Indian Troubles — Returning a Second Time to Our New Home — Religious Impressions.
  • Chapter II.
    Marriage — Deep Conviction for Sin — Christian Experience and Baptism — A Journey with William Stubbs — Uniting with the Newlight Church.
  • Chapter III.
    Ordained to the Ministry — First Sermon — Poverty and Persecution — Mourners Uncomforted — Preaching Near New Lisbon — Flattery.
  • Chapter IV.
    The Jerusalem Doctrine Calls Down Persecution — Voted Out of the New House — Some Things Lacking — Controversial Preaching — Ministers Exhorted to Faithfulness.
  • Chapter V.
    Preaching the Gospel — Desire for Union — Love for the Erring — Zeal of the Old Preachers
  • Chapter VI.
    Preaching Near Middletown.
  • Chapter VII.
    Preaching at Bentonville.
  • Chapter VIII.
    A Flourishing Church at Hillsboro.

Sermons and Articles

  • Chapter IX.
    On Family Training.
  • Chapter X.
    The Gospel Invitation.
  • Chapter XI.
    A Sermon on Supporting the War
  • Chapter XII.
    Sermon On Prayer.
  • Chapter XIII.
    Letter To Church Members.
  • Chapter XIV.
    Object And Form Of Local Churches.
  • Chapter XV.
    On Exhortation.
  • Chapter XVI.
    Parable Of The Ten Virgins.
  • Chapter XVII.
    Religion And Politics.
  • Chapter XVIII.
    Where Is The True Church Of Christ?.
  • Chapter XIX.
    Letter To My Brother John.
  • Chapter XX.
    Extract From Speech Delivered At An Old Settlers’  Meeting At New Castle, Ind.
  • Chapter XXI.
    Sermon delivered at the Christian Chapel, New Castle, April 13, 1873.
  • Song I Used To Hear My Father Sing.
  • A Brief Excerpt Of The History Of The Martindale Family In America.

I found this to be a very interesting read, and I think you will too.  It’s not that long–actually only 67 pages.

If you like the church, the truth, conflict, and history, you’ll get all of it in this book that we’ve proofread, reformatted, and made into a nice-looking eBook just for you!

Read it online, or download it for later reading by clicking the link below:

Autobiography and Sermons of Elder Elijah Martindale

-Bradley S. Cobb

The Preview…

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FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE!!!!!!

(did that get your attention?)

The Preview Edition of the Quarterly is now available.  If you want to download the digital preview — FREE — the link is at the end of this post.  But first, let me tell you a bit about it.  🙂

This preview edition has 15 articles, and 48 pages of encouragement, edification, education, and enjoyment from good, dedicated, Christian writers.

One writer with a lot of experience in personal evangelism is writing a series on preparing for Bible studies and getting people to agree to have them with you.  We’ve got stories of conversions, interviews with “seasoned ministers,” a look at understanding “hospitality,” and even the first few chapters of a novel that we are certain you will find interesting and worthwhile!

Take a look for yourself:

  1. Editorial: An Important Note
    Bradley S. Cobb
  2. Insights from Seasoned Ministers: Loren (L.L.) Gieger and Stafford North
    Interviews by Jim Mitchell
  3. Equipping
    Jim Mitchell
  4. I Can Do All Things Through Christ Which Strengtheneth Me
    Roderick L. Ross
  5. Restoration Moments: The Conversion of Blue Dick
    From the Life of Knowles Shaw, Singing Evangelist
  6. The Parable of the Lighted Candle
    Devin Self
  7. Biblical Biography: Barnabas
    Bradley S. Cobb
  8. What Ever Happened to Shepherding?
    Jamie Beller
  9. Paul Darst: A Novel
    Daniel R. Lucas
  10. Funny and Not-So-Funny Events in the Life of Elijah Martindale
    Bradley S. Cobb and Elijah Martindale
  11. Poetry Corner
  12. Sons and Daughters of Encouragement
    Gerald Cowan
  13. The Tabernacle Shadows
    Mark McWhorter
  14. Preparing Yourself to Conduct Bible Studies
    James Sims, Sr.
  15. Hospitality Revisited
    Perry Hall

If you like what you see, then by all means, download the digital copy of the preview (did we mention it’s free?).  If you’re like me, and you much prefer having things in your hand, you can order the print version of the Preview for just $3.99 (see the option below).  If you want to order 10 or more to share with others (friends, family, your local congregation), then contact us  for a specific price quote (orders of 10 or more get a 25% discount).

And when you’re done reading it, please consider subscribing to either the print or digital edition.  Each subscriber will receive, as  BONUS, either 35% off of a book we publish (in print), or a free eBook of your choice from any that we publish.

Here’s the link for the digital preview:

The Quarterly – Preview Edition (eBook)

And if you want to order the print edition, just use the link below (or click here).

-Bradley S. Cobb

Three Free Books

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I hope that caught your attention.  We were busy last week and didn’t get as many books added to the Jimmie Beller Memorial eLibrary as we wanted, so we’re making up for it this week!

Today, we’re adding three more books for your enjoyment!  And here they are:

The Gospel and Its Elements

By James Challen, this book could be called a doctrinal history of the Restoration Movement.  By that, I mean that he writes about the biblical doctrines and practices pleaded for (without mentioning the names of anyone involved) by people like Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott, James Challen, and others.

To download it, just click the link below:

The Gospel and Its Elements (James Challen)

A Primitive Missionary Church

Written by H.L. Hastings (a big name in the late 1800s for his fight against atheists and skeptics), this sermon is all about the church in Thessalonica.  While we might not agree with everything he says, it is a worthwhile read–and it isn’t that long.  The download link is below:

A Primitive Missionary Church (H.L. Hastings)

The Disciples of Christ in Illinois and Their Attitude Toward Slavery

Originally given as a lecture before the Illinois State Historical Society in 1913, N.S. Haynes presented his manuscript for publication in their official minutes.  It gives a very brief history of the Restoration Movement, then a brief history of how the Restoration made its way into Illinois, and then briefly shows the attitude of many of the brethren in the state toward slavery prior to the Civil War.  It is an interesting historical piece, and we have taken the liberty to correct a few historical errors that the author made (with notations of what was changed appearing in footnotes).

You can download it and read it here:

Disciples of Christ in Illinois and Their Attitude Toward Slavery

-Bradley S. Cobb

Pre-order Brother McGarvey now!

One of the most influential men in the Lord’s church in the last 200 years is, without a doubt, John William (J.W.) McGarvey.  He is well-known for his strong, conservative commentaries, his numerous articles on Biblical Criticism, and for being a prolific trainer of preachers in the late-1800s and early-1900s.

There is only one full-length biography written about this influential man of God, and it is about to be back in print for the first time in over fifty years!

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Brother McGarvey, written by W.C. Morro, will give you glimpses at “President McGarvey” from many different perspectives–from friends and “enemies” alike.  You will read excerpts from his own writings and journals, and see letters from those who knew him best.

PRE-ORDER INFORMATION:

Brother McGarvey will be officially released on August 12th.  This 244-page book will cost $13.99.  However, if you pre-order before August 1st, you will receive FREE SHIPPING, and receive the book on (or maybe even before) its official release date.  Pre-orders after August 1st will still receive free shipping, but there’s no guarantee that it will be there prior to the official release date.

*In order to receive the FREE SHIPPING, enter the coupon code: BroMcG at checkout!

A Very Early History of the Restoration Movement

The year was 1844.  A man named I. Daniel Rupp had the idea to compile an authoritative encyclopedia of the various religious bodies in the United States.  So he appealed to members of each group to submit a history of their rise and progress, with specific mention of any doctrines that made them different from the others.

Robert Richardson, who would later go on to write the two-volume Memoirs of Alexander Campbell, was selected to submit this early history.

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You have to remember that at this time, both Thomas and Alexander Campbell ere still alive.  Barton W. Stone was still alive (he would die later that year).  The missionary societies had not yet reared their ugly head; and none of the churches had introduced instrumental music.

So Richardson’s entry pictures the Disciples at a time when they were still united on the Bible, on biblical principles, on biblical worship, and on the biblical plan of salvation.

As always, we’ve tried to remove any typos, correct the spelling, and reformat this book for the Jimmie Beller Memorial eLibrary so that you can enjoy it as much as possible.  On this offering, we’ve also taken the two footnotes and inserted them into the text in parentheses (they were short footnotes).

Just click the link below!

Disciples of Christ (Robert Richardson, 1844)

-Bradley S. Cobb

Some Brief Congregational Sketches … Written in 1869!

Today’s free book, exclusively from the Jimmie Beller Memorial eLibrary, is a brief one, but with a nice, long title.

Licking County Disciples

This book is only 12 pages, but it gives some interesting historical notes about the Lord’s church and the preachers who worked in that area.  If you’re a Restoration Movement enthusiast, or you like short histories, this one is for you.

As always, we’ve prettied this one up, correcting the typos we found and reformatting it to make it easy on the eyes.

To read it online, or to download it to your computer for later perusing, just click the link below.

Historical Sketches of the Disciples Churches in Licking County

-Bradley S. Cobb

A FREE Restoration Movement History Book

We hope you haven’t gotten overwhelmed with all these new additions to the Jimmie Beller Memorial eLibrary the past couple weeks, but we’ve got a lot of books that have been sitting ready to go into the library, and we thought it’d be cruel to make you wait a week for each new one to be posted.  🙂

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Today’s book was originally written as an entry to The American Church History Series, a multi-volume encyclopedia of all the different religious groups in America (this appeared in volume 12).  It was edited by Philip Schaff.

But though it was originally an encyclopedia entry, don’t think that it’s some short little thing.  B.B. Tyler (author of another book titled Concerning the Disciples of Christ) wrote a lengthy, 10-chapter book (our version is 143 pages) about the history of the Restoration Movement.

As always, we’ve gone through it and fixed any typos we ran across, and reformatted it to make it more pleasing on the eyes.

Click the link below to read it online or to download it for later enjoyment!

A history of the Disciples of Christ in America (B.B. Tyler)

-Bradley S. Cobb

Toils and Struggles of the Olden Times

You’ve been a soldier in the war of 1812.  But now, you’ve found Jesus.  The only problem you’ve got is that the religious world is telling you all sorts of conflicting things.  Which one is right?  How can you tell?

This is the story of Elder Samuel Rogers, or as J.W. McGarvey called him, “Uncle Sammy.”

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Samuel Rogers was a soldier and a preacher. His life was lived as a soldier for Christ. He planted many congregations throughout Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and the surrounding areas. One estimate says that he personally baptized over 7,000 people.

Along the way he survives a wildfire, is confronted with kindness that crosses racial borders, and meets Alexander Campbell.

This new, revised edition has been completely reformatted, meticulously proofread for any typos, and updated with modern spelling–all to bring you, the reader, a more pleasant reading experience.

We’ve been publishing this book since 2013 (and you’re still welcome to buy a copy from us for just $9.99), but we’re now making available for FREE in eBook format in the Jimmie Beller Memorial eLibrary!

Just click the link below to download it or read it online!

Toils and Struggles of the Olden Times: The Autobiography of Elder Samuel Rogers

-Bradley S. Cobb