Robert O. Fife

As of August 22, 2013, only 43 libraries are listed has having this work in their collection. As a result, it didn't get the exposure that it should have, as it sheds light upon an important topic in the history of the Disciples of Christ. The analysis of the author, Robert Oldham Fife (1918-2003) is excellent, in regard to the slavery controversy in America, and how it related to the Christian Church.

Following the introduction, the author divided his dissertation into three parts:

Part I, 1800-1849
Chapt. 1. Years of Hope, 1800-1832
Chapt. 2. The Great Debate, 1832-1845
Chapt. 3. Alexander Campbell's Mission in Scotland, 1847
Chapt. 4. Alexander Campbell and the Kentucky Constitutional Convention of 1849
Part II, General Considerations
Chapt. 5. The Relationship Between Masters and Slaves in the Church to 1861
Chapt. 6. The Christian Church and the Colonization Movement
Chapt. 7. Christian Editorial Policies Concerning Slavery
Chapt. 8. Some Problems of Disciple Abolitionists
Part III, 1850-1863
Chapt. 9. The Christian Church and the Fugitive Slave Law
Chapt. 10. Bethany College and North-Western Christian University (Butler), 1854-1856
Chapt. 11. The American Christian Missionary Society and the Problem of Slavery
Chapt. 12, The Disciples and the Kansas Controversy, 1854-1860
Chapt. 13, Some Instances of Schism to 1861
Chapt. 14. The Crisis of 1861

Bibliographical Notes are included on pp. 291-318, and they are extensive.

I was particularly pleased with Chapter 13, as it included information on the Christian Church in Bloomington, Illinois. The author called it “the antislavery congregation” (page 262) and later discussed the split that occurred in the congregation (pp. 266-267).

While many Disciples' historians have for years touted that the Disciples of Christ did not split over the issue of slavery, as did the Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists, there was indeed a “fracturing” of some congregations, with the Bloomington church cited as an example.

Stone-Campbell heritage scholars and persons interested in the history of the American Civil War should find this dissertation useful. It may be obtained from a library (see WorldCat) or purchased from ProQuest. I am delighted to have it in my library.

There is no index.… (altro)