Gospel Messenger

Marion Franklin Harmon and Oscar Pendleton Spiegel edited the Gospel Messenger in Nashville, Tennessee during most of 1897. James Madison Watson moved to Nashville in September and became the sole Editor in late November. Many issues feature biographical sketches of Stone-Campbell ministers from Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.

The motto for the Gospel Messenger is Devoted to the Cause of Christ in all the South and throughout the World

We have created a virtual cemetery at Find A Grave with the burial locations of the men and women who appeared in the pages of the Gospel Messenger. Check it out here People of the Gospel Messenger

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Gospel-Messenger-8-27-July-9-1897

Marion F. Harmon and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-27-July-9-1897

Spiegel's "An Open Letter to T. B. Larimore" appears on pages 8 and 9.

We note the appearance of David Rhoads Piper (1864 - 1955).
Gospel-Messenger-8-28-July-16-1897

Marion F. Harmon and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-28-July-16-1897

Biographical sketch of Samuel Flewelling Fowler (1844 - 1917) on page 2.

We note the appearance of William Eagle Rambo (1861 - 1932) on page 9.
Gospel-Messenger-8-29-July-23-1897

Marion F. Harmon and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-29-July-23-1897

Biographical sketch of William Eli Crum (1860 – 1924) on page 2.

T. B. Larimore's lengthy reply to Spiegel's "Open Letter" appears on pages 4 -7; 15.

Page 8 announces that J. M. Watson is moving to Nashville to become an editor of the Gospel Messenger.
Gospel-Messenger-8-30-July-30-1897

Marion F. Harmon and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-30-July-30-1897

Biographical sketch of John William Gant (1846 - 1905) on pages 2 - 3 by Thomas David Moore (1854 - 1927)

Spiegel's reply to T. B. Larimore appears on page 8.

Page 8 notes that Reuben Lindsay Cave (1845 - 1924) is to become the President of Kentucky University.
Gospel-Messenger-8-31-August-6-1897

Marion F. Harmon and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-31-August-6-1897

Alonzo Melville Atkinson, Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Ministerial Relief, writing from Wabash, Indiana. has a nine point article on Ministerial Relief, "Who May Receive Help?" (page 4) Atkinson has been added to the Virtual Cemetery "People of the Gospel Messenger."

Pages 8, 9 have a report on the Elam-Minton discussion on the scriptural basis for missionary societies.
Gospel-Messenger-8-32-August-13-1897

Marion F. Harmon and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-32-August-13-1897

Pages 8, 9 have The Open Letter Again and Sunday School vs. Endeavor Society.
Gospel-Messenger-8-33-August-20-1897

Marion F. Harmon and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-33-August-20-1897

On pages 8, 9, Oscar Pendleton Spiegel holds forth on The Sabbath Question, to answer, indirectly, an "Iowa Sabbatarian" named F. A. Washburn.

James Madison Watson is to move to Nashville about September 1, per page 9.

B. F. Manire submitted on page 9 In Memoriam for Dr. John Hebb McKay (November 16, 1824 - July 2, 1897). McKay was a member of the Christian Church and long-time friend of Manire.
Gospel-Messenger-8-34-August-27-1897

Marion F. Harmon and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-34-August-27-1897

Page 8: What Birmingham Papers say of Bro. Watson.

We note a minister from New Orleans, Samuel Ripley Hawkins (1866 - 1925), is assisting W. G. Walker in a Virginia meeting. Hawkins later ministers in Indian Territory, Oklahoma, and Oregon.
Gospel-Messenger-8-35-September-3-1897

Marion F. Harmon and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-35-September-3-1897

George Whitfield Kemper, College of The Bible, Class of 1893 and President of the Alumni Association reports on developments at Kentucky University on pages 5, 6.

Page 8 reports the purchase by the Gospel Messenger Company of the Christian Visitor, published by J. L. Smart at Tupelo, Mississippi. The Christian Visitor was begun in 1896 by Smart.
Gospel-Messenger-8-36-September-10-1897

Marion F. Harmon, James M. Watson, and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-36-September-10-1897

Pages 4, 5 have the first installment of the "Annual Address of C. Lee Crum, President of the Mississippi Christian Missionary Convention."

J. M. Watson appears on page 8 for the first time as one of the three editors of the Gospel Messenger. His editorial, "A Personal" appears on that page.
Gospel-Messenger-8-37-September-17-1897

Marion F. Harmon, James M. Watson, and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-37-September-17-1897

Page 5 notes the opposition of a conservative, Luther Phillip Whaley, via an article in the Octographic Review, to the efforts of George Alfred Reynolds to raise funds for a tent.
Gospel-Messenger-8-38-September-24-1897

Marion F. Harmon, James M. Watson, and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-38-September-24-1897

J. M. Watson has two editorials on page 9: "That $100,000 Mark" and "Religious Dyspeptics."

Page 9 reprints an article by Walter Champ from the Courier-Journal, "The Sweeney Family."
Gospel-Messenger-8-39-October-1-1897

Marion F. Harmon, James M. Watson, and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-39-October-1-1897

"The Tennessee Christian Missionary Co-operation" by A. I. Myhr (pages 2, 3) gives the history, purpose and principles of the organization.

In "Louisiana Notes," Frank Lanehart announces he is leaving the state to live in a dry climate because of "bronchal trouble." He hopes James Tracy McKissick will accept the call to become the Louisiana State Evangelist.

James Madison Watson's editorial (page 8) reports on the Tullahoma Convention.

An obituary for Richard Winn Dunlap appears on page 11.
Gospel-Messenger-8-40-October-8-1897

Marion F. Harmon, James M. Watson, and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-40-October-8-1897

On page 2 C. Lee Crum replies to criticism about an address in which he suggested expediency allows the use of instruments in worship.

J. D. Patton is holding music schools in Mississippi, per page 3.

Page 5 has "The Catechism" by A. I. Myhr, in which he explains the advantages of the Tennessee Christian Missionary Convention.
Gospel-Messenger-8-41-October-15-1897

Marion F. Harmon, James M. Watson, and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-41-October-15-1897

Edward McShane Waits, later to become the President of Texas Christian University, begins a two part article (pages 2,3) "The Character and the Work of an Evangelist."

Page 10 has a report titled "Among the Colored People" by African American preacher J. E. Anderson from Hamlin, Kentucky. Anderson reports on a struggling congregation at Trenton, Tennessee, and his preaching at Yorkville, Tennessee, presumably among African American believers.
Gospel-Messenger-8-42-October-22-1897

Marion F. Harmon, James M. Watson, and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-42-October-22-1897

The article by Edward McShane Waits, "The Character and the Work of an Evangelist," concludes on page 2.

Page 3 has "Report of Negro Education" with editorial comments on the work at Southern Christian Institute, Edwards, Mississippi. The school, unfortunately, is quarantined at this time because of yellow fever.

Page 11 has an obituary for Mrs. Mary F. May (December 12, 1848 - July 22, 1897)
Gospel-Messenger-8-43-October-29-1897

Marion F. Harmon, James M. Watson, and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-43-October-29-1897

William S. Payne (16 May 1857 – 8 November 1918) reports from Princeton, Kentucky. (Page 10)

The obscure J. A. Minton is holding a meeting in Cave in Rock, Illinois.
Gospel-Messenger-8-44-November-5-1897

Marion F. Harmon, James M. Watson, and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-44-November-5-1897

We note that William Henry Sheffer (1865 - 1948) is "one of our ablest preachers, and is a lecturer of no mean ability." (Page 9)

Samuel Minor Bernard, II, of Meridian, Mississippi, (1874 - 1945) writes a weekly section "Devotional Department" on page 12.
Gospel-Messenger-8-45-November-12-1897

Marion F. Harmon, James M. Watson, and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-45-November-12-1897

Articles on pages 1 and 2 by Alonzo Melville Atkinson, B. B. Tyler and Asa L. Orcutt stress the need to support older ministers and their families. Atkinson (1833 - 1899) and Orcutt (1852 - 1918) were especially strong advocates for "ministerial relief."

J. M. Watson's editorial "The Christian Quarterly" urges more Southern preachers, especially the young preachers, to subscribe to and read the Christian Quarterly. (Page 8)

Noteworthy is "Does It Pay to Educate Negroes" on page 10, which features the educational progress of Willie Scott, first at Southern Christian Institute, then at Hiram College.
Gospel-Messenger-8-46-November-19-1897

Marion F. Harmon, James M. Watson, and Oscar P. Spiegel

Gospel-Messenger-8-46-November-19-1897

On pages 2 and 3, James Albert Minton (later Judge Minton) (1862 -1952) replies to David Lipscomb's article in the Gospel Advocate regarding Minton's arguments in the Elam-Minton written debate held in the Gospel Advocate. Lipscomb refused to print Minton's reply to Lipscomb, so asks it be printed in the Gospel Messenger.

Kilby Ferguson notes that C. W. Sadler from Garden City, Mississippi, is to "take as much of my field as he can handle." Sadler is active in Mississippi as early as 1884. (Page 7.)

In editorials on page 8, M. F. Harmon passes the editorial mantle to J. M. Watson. Harmon states, "Only one thing has caused this change on my part, and that is my worn out and nervous condition."

On pages 10 and 11, William Henry Sandy reports on a proposed debate on baptism between F. B. Srygley and M. H. Honnell (Methodist).
Gospel-Messenger-8-15-April-16-1897

Mrs. Robert H. Kerr and Marion F. Harmon

Gospel-Messenger-8-15-April-16-1897

This issue is an Easter Edition, edited by Mrs. Robert H. Kerr, of Birmingham, Alabama. The sections feature contributions by Mrs. J. M. Watson; Miss Sue Jolly; Mrs. G. R. Harsh; Mrs. Willie Husley; Mrs. W. R. Watkins; Mrs. C. T. Starbuck; Mrs. P. Sid Jones; Mrs. E. A. Self; Mrs. M. J. Vanhook; Mrs. Harry Harsh, all from the First Christian Church, Birmingham, Alabama.
Gospel-Messenger-8-47-November-26-1897

James M. Watson

Gospel-Messenger-8-47-November-26-1897

Allen R. Moore of Memphis, Tennessee, begins his tenure as the First Page Editor, replacing J. W. Ligon. His theme is Current Topics. James Watson gives details about Moore's editorial experience on page 8.

For the first time, J. M. Watson is listed on page 8 as the sole Editor of the Gospel Messenger. M. F. Harmon and O. P. Spiegel are now Associate Editors.
Gospel-Messenger-8-48-December-3-1897

James M. Watson

Gospel-Messenger-8-48-December-3-1897

We list Ivy Holbert Teel for the first time in our notes but he appears frequently in this volume because of his many activities.

J. M. Watson proposes upgrading the paper to be a "first-class publication" brought out "in first-class style and inferior in mechanical make-up, to no paper published by the disciples of Christ." (Page 8)
Gospel-Messenger-8-49-December-9-1897

James M. Watson

Gospel-Messenger-8-49-December-9-1897

This issue has the second part of a three-part article on "Fellowship" by James H. Brooks of Hickman, Kentucky. The Gospel Messenger has numerous mentions of Brooks, ranging from his reports of meetings to his organization of church rallies. We have not been able yet to determine the biographical data for Brooks. Per the Christian Standard Index, he later moves to Arkansas and is active there from 1903 to 1915.

Oscar Pendleton Spiegel reports (page 4) on the dedication of a new tent on Sunday, November 28th for the work in Alabama. "The tent was dedicated to God to be used by his children in bringing other souls into his family."
Gospel-Messenger-8-50-December-16-1897

James M. Watson

Gospel-Messenger-8-50-December-16-1897

For the first time, the editorial information appears on page two instead of page eight, where it appeared throughout the earlier issues of this year.

Page 8 has "Christians, or Disciples of Christ" by John Huffman Hardin, at that time with Eureka College. The article is a "brief synopsis" of the conclusions reached when one applies the axiom "Where the Scriptures speak, we speak; where the Scriptures are silent, we are silent."

The elders of the New Liberty, Kentucky, congregation ask the elders of the Ponce City, Oklahoma Territory, congregation to release William Harris Alford from a commitment he made to move to Ponce City. (Page 10.)