The Reformation For Which We Are Pleading: A Collection of Articles by Moses E. Lard
(Moses Easterly Lard (1818-1880) and his family, when he w...)
Moses Easterly Lard (1818-1880) and his family, when he was eleven years old, moved to Missouri where he would grow up, learn about the gospel, and begin preaching. He became a gifted speaker and accomplished writer among those associated with the Restoration Movement. He distinguished himself at Bethany College and was later selected by Alexander Campbell himself to review Jeremiah B. Jeter’s Campbellism Reviewed, an attack on Campbell’s teachings. Lard is also known for Lard’s Quarterly, a journal he published from 1863 to 1868, and his commentary on the book of Romans. The Reformation For Which We Are Pleading is a collection of articles written by Lard and published in Lard’s Quarterly. This volume has been put together for the purpose of making the written work of one of the prominent second-generation Restoration Movement preachers accessible to a new generation of Bible students.
(Excerpt from An Examined
A work similar in object to the...)
Excerpt from An Examined
A work similar in object to the present has been for some time past impatiently looked for from quite another quarter. The immense labors, however, which have accumulated on Mr. Campbell's hands, have rendered it utterly impracticable for him to comply with this just expectation. This is much to be regretted. The present work is not an attempt to accomplish what he would have done. It is, however, an attempt to do all that it is believed the merits of the case demand, and that, too, with a View to leaving him to prosecute far more important labors. And, while the public will hardly feel inclined to acquit thewriter for presuming to do what it was just possible even might have been done by a hand so much more competent, still, he begs that it will be remem bered that, had not this much been attempted, it is almost certain nothing would have been realized,-at least without almost superhuman efforts. Mr. Campbell has not lacked the will to gratify the public expectation, but he has certainly lacked the power.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
A Review of Rev. J. B. Jeter's Book Entitled "Campbellism Examined."
(Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We h...)
Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.
Moses Easterly Lard was an American clergyman and minister of the Disciples of Christ. He was an editor of the "Lard's Quarterly" from 1863 to 1869 and "The Apostolic Times" from 1869 to 1872.
Background
Moses Easterly Lard was born in Bedford County, Tennessee. When he was about eleven years old his father, Leaven Lard, of Scotch descent, moved with his wife and six children to Ray County, Missouri, where soon afterwards he died of smallpox. From his father Moses inherited a tall, vigorous frame, determination, and courage; and from his mother, a pious Baptist, his religious tendencies. The father's death soon caused the breaking up of the family and the boy went to live in Liberty, Missouri.
Education
When seventeen years old he had not yet learned to write, but in time he acquired that art by tearing down and copying old advertisements which had been posted in the town. Gen. Alexander W. Doniphan became interested in him and with others made it possible for him in 1845 to enter Bethany College in what is now West Virginia. He completed his course with high honors.
Career
Returning to Missouri, Lard resided there until the Civil War, serving Disciples churches in Independence, Liberty, Camden Point, and St. Joseph, and also engaging extensively in evangelistic work.
At Camden Point he was for a time president of the Female College established by Professor H. B. Todd. In 1854 Rev. Jeremiah B. Jeter, a Baptist minister of Richmond, Virginia, published Campbellism Examined, a book that created much controversy. Alexander Campbell asked Lard to write a reply, and in 1857 he published Review of Rev. J. B. Jeter's Book Entitled "Campbellism Examined. " Exhaustive, able, and caustic, it was widely regarded as a conclusive rebuttal of Jeter's principal representations, and it added much to Lard's prestige.
After the outbreak of the Civil War, unwilling to take the oath of allegiance to the federal government imposed in 1862 by the Missouri state convention, he went to Canada. When he came back to the United States he took up his residence in Kentucky, living for a time in Georgetown and thereafter in Lexington. In the latter place he was pastor of the Main Street Church for a period; he also preached extensively throughout the state; but his influence was exerted most widely as an editor.
He established Lard's Quarterly, which he published until the Apostolic Times was started in 1869. Of this periodical he became chief editor, with four associates. He was one of the leaders of the conservative group among the Disciples, whose attitude was set forth in the prospectus to the Apostolic Times: "To the primitive faith, and the primitive practice, without enlargement or diminution, without innovation or modification, the editors here and now commit their paper" (Moore, Comprehensive History, post, p. 556). He opposed anything approaching a creedal statement, open communion, the use of an organ in public worship, and the assumption of pastoral functions. He wrote with conciseness, vigor, and a certain picturesqueness that had its effect. Although conservative regarding ecclesiastical matters, he was independent, sincere, courageous, and, in some respects, radical.
Toward the close of his life he issued a pamphlet in which he endeavored to show that the Greek word aionios does not in every case mean everlasting, and that its use in the Bible does not necessarily establish the fact of eternal punishment. This pamphlet subjected him to severe criticism on the ground that he had Universalist leanings, and some of the Disciples advocated withdrawal from fellowship with him. He also published a commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, into which he put much labor.
He died of cancer at Lexington, Kentucky, and was buried in Mount Mora Cemetery, St. Joseph, Missouri.
Achievements
Lard was one of the leading Disciples of Christ and one of the most effective preachers in the country. He distinguished himself at Bethany College and was later selected by Alexander Campbell himself to review Jeremiah B. Jeter’s "Campbellism Reviewed", an attack on Campbell’s teachings.
He was well-known for his writings including "Lard's Commentary on Romans" and was the founder of the periodical "Lard's Quarterly" .
