DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, a denomination of Baptists, organized 1627, who are often spoken of as Camphellites, but prefer to call themselves Tin: Oriuncit OF CHRIST. In 1808, Thomas Campbell, a minister of the " Seceders," emigrated from Ireland to the western part of Pennsylvania, and was followed, the next year, by his son Alexander. They both earnestly desired reforms in the Christian church conforming it to apostolic precept and practice. Their first step was to gather a small company of disciples for the special study of the Scriptures, with the pledge that, rejecting all human creeds and confes sions of faith, they would strictly conform their practice to the teachings of the divine word. This virtual separation from the Seceders was followed by the gathering of a small congregation in co. Penn., known as the Brush Run church, of which Thomas Campbell was an elder, and by which Alexander was ordained to the ministry. After what they regarded as a thorough investigation of the question of baptism, both father and son, with five other persons, feeling convinced that the Scriptures taught the "immersion, of believers," were, June 2, 1812, immersed by a Baptist minister. In 1815, having increased to such a degree that they numbered 5 or U congregations, they united with the Redstone Baptist association, having first stipulated in writing that no terms of union or communion other that the Holy Scriptures should be required. As many of the Baptist ministers were, from the first, dissatisfied with this union the reformed congregations at length withdrew and joined the 31ahoney (Ohio) association, the members of which regarded the new movement with favor and finally entered heartily into it. In 1823, Alexander Campbell commenced the monthly publication of the Christian, Baptist, by means of which, together with public oral debates on baptism and itinerant preaching over large districts, his views were widely diffused among Baptists. Opposition to them on the part of many at length resulted in ecclesiastical action; the Dover association of Virginia, 1827, leading in what soon became a general withdrawal of Baptist fellowship from all who held the views of Alexander Campbell.
The reformers, as they were called, then formed a separate organization, and have since rapidly increased, particularly in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Virginia. They have churches, also, in Canada, England, Wales, Ireland, and Australia. They now report about 2,000 ministers, 2,400 churches, and 500,000 members in the United States. Rejecting creeds and confessions of faith, as of human origin, they take the Bible as the sufficient and only authority in matters of faith and practice. Shunning subtle theological speculations, they aim to present Bible truths in Bible terms. This exposed them at first, and iu some quarters, to the imputation of holding Unitarian views; but their orthodoxy on this portion of theology is now fully admitted. On the atonement, resurrection, and general judgment they agree with the great body of evangelical Christians. They continue the breaking of bread in commemoration of the Savior's death every first day of the week. They hold that faith and repentance arc the divinely appointed pre-requisites for baptism, and that all who do repent and believe may and should be immetted in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and reception of the gift of the Holy Spirit. In church polity they are congrega tional, with three classes of officers: 1. elders, presbyters, or bishops; 2. deacons; 3. evangelists. The last named are the itinerating ministers or missionaries, and are sup ported by voluntary contributions. Acknowledging their obligation to provide for the wide diffusion of scriptural preaching by well-instructed men, they are zealous in pro moting education. They have a university at Lexington, Ky.; and colleges at Bethany, West Va.; Hiram, Ohio; Franklin, Pa. ; Indianapolis, Ind. ; Eureka, 111.; and Oskaloosa, Iowa; besides colleges for women and many other schools of high grade.