Alexander Campbell died on this day, 159 years ago. This makes it unlikely in the extreme that the following missive arriving at my Inbox is from his earthly hand, but in some mysterious way it appears to be a word from "the EDITOR" for our time:
"To the reader --
It has come to my attention in the hills of Bethany that there are those who argue on behalf of my memory and heritage for our fair country as a 'Christian nation.'
True, my practice to the very end was to hold commencement at our college on the Fourth of July, an inconvenience which I held to against all entreaties as a mark of my obligation to the land which welcomed first my father of blessed memory, and then myself and my mother and siblings, into an inheritance of freedom, liberty, and benevolence.
Likewise, it is true my reverence for the American founding was present in many forms through my teaching and preaching. Of the Founders, it was my privilege to sit at the feet of James Madison, to serve with him as an elected delegate to Virginia's constitutional convention of 1829, where we heard from the scribe of our National Constitution these words: 'In Monarchies the interests and happiness of all may be sacrificed to the caprice and passion of a despot: In Aristocracies, the rights and welfare of the many may be sacrificed to the pride and cupidity of a few: In Republics, the great danger is that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the Minority.'
So I affirm the history which has brought us to this present day, far beyond my imaginings in both achievements and sorrows, though in no way yet the last pages for the Book of Life as to these United States of America.
Where I would caution my modern-day heirs, though, is how their claim to this country as being a Christian nation is perhaps over-enthusiastically, and surely misguidedly, wrongly asserted.
First, I would return to my words in Wheeling of 1848, in my 'Address on War' which I am told some in a Disciples Peace Fellowship today consider a sort of founding document, due to my emphatic assertions as to the essential role of peace and peacemaking to the work of Christians anywhere, and always. In preparing my case for the pre-eminent role of peacemaking, I address directly the question at hand:
"But we must inquire into the appropriateness of the term "Christian" prefixed to nation - for popular use has so arranged these terms - and the controversy, either expressly or impliedly, as nowadays occasionally conducted in this country, is, Has one Christian nation a right to wage war on another Christian nation? We have, indeed, had, for many centuries past, many nations called Christian nations; but we must fearlessly ask, at what font were they baptized? Who were there godfathers? In what record are their sponsors registered? Aye, these, indeed, are preliminary questions that demand a grave and profound consideration. That there are many nations that have Christian communities in them is a proposition which we most cheerfully and thankfully admit. By a common figure of speech, we also give to that which contains anything the name of the thing contained in it. Thus, rhetorically, we call one edifice a college; another, a bank, a third, a church; not because the brick and mortar, the plank and nails, constitute a college, a bank, a church, but because these buildings contain these institutions. So we have - if anyone contend for the name - as many Christian nations as we have Christian communities in different nations, and as many Jewish nations as we have nations with Jewish synagogues in them, and as many Mohammedan nations as we have nations containing mosques in them. But, according to this rhetorical figure, we may have a Christian and a Mohammedan nation, in one and the same nation, as we sometimes find both a Jewish and a Christian synagogue in the same nation. But a rhetorical Christian nation and a proper and unfigurative Christian nation are very different entities. A proper literal Christian nation is not found in any country under the whole heavens. There is, indeed, one Christian nation, composed of all the Christian communities and individuals in the whole earth."
Here I must stand, with the Christian community, or family, or nationality which knows no boundaries; indeed, not even between life and death, but continues its lines and boundaries on into Eternity.
Perhaps I can close these brief reflections by noting the problem is simply one of pride. There is a striving after a supererogatory work of prideful assertion as to the Christian exemplification of these United States, and Scripture could not be more consistent, more clear, more emphatic, that pride cometh not only before a fall, but before all manner of failings.
Pride is not where this country can properly claim its Christian heritage. In truth, what my adopted home should be offering up is gratitude. We might well be thankful that a benevolent Creator has blessed us with the opportunity and terms and circumstances through which we might be Christians here in ways other nations do not make possible. Thankfully, as we do in our most peculiar holiday of this nation's history, with Thanksgiving bounty we reflect and humbly appreciate our place in this land.
Set aside pride and pre-eminence, my friends. Be thankful that we can set up our Christian embassies and consular offices in this land, where we have so many fellows and so much fellow feeling along the way. In gratitude, let us BE Christians in this nation, and light our lamps so other lands might see what is possible, not out of pride, but in reflected appreciation for the blessings of heaven here on earth.
We will, this author is certain, speak again on such things. Until then, fare well."
~ EDITOR, M.H.
[The extract quoted above can be read in the full “Address on War” at this link: