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Writing Congregational Histories

Alexander Campbell served as a delegate in the Virginia Constitutional Convention which met in Richmond, Va., from October, 1829, until January, 1830. During this time, Campbell wrote eight letters to his wife Selina at Bethany. These eight letters (all on display here) are the largest collection of Campbell letters extant from a short period in his life.

Many famous Virginians served in the convention, including James Madison and James Monroe, both ax-presidents, and John Marshall, Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In the first letter (Oct. 5, 1829) Campbell tells how James Madison nominated James Monroe to serve as president of the convention. During the convention Campbell clashed in political debate with these famous Americans.

But the letters to Selina deal more with his longings for home and family than with the convention debates. The letters include his loneliness, deep love and concern for his wife and children, playful humor directed at Selina (letter of Dec.10, 1829), and references to his preaching in Richmond. One week after arriving in Richmond, he reported, "I preached yesterday to about 3,000 souls, the largest assembly which Richmond has seen for many a day - hundreds had to go away without hearing." (Letter of Oct. 12, 1829). He later reflected, "I think the Lord sent me here for more than political purposes." (Letter of Dec. 10, 1829).

The Center for Restoration Studies acquired these letters in 1985. Frank Dunn of Austin, Texas, gave the Center one of them. Another was a gift of Geneva Guthrie of Little Rock, Ark., from the estate of her parents, H. H. and Lundy Dunn. The other six were acquired from Mrs. Betty Swinney of Dallas, Texas, widow of the late gospel preacher, Oram J. Swinney.