American Christian Review

Elder Benjamin Franklin founded the American Christian Review in 1856 as a monthly and then weekly publication. Franklin edited the journal until his death in 1878, and considered it as representative of his lifelong efforts to promote the apostolic faith against human innovations and denominationalism. John F. Rowe edited ACR from 1878 to 1886, when Daniel Sommer took over those duties. Sommer changed the journal’s title to Octographic Review (1887-1913), and then to Apostolic Review (1914-1939). Upon Sommer’s death in 1940 his heirs changed the journal’s name back to American Christian Review, which remained its title until publication ceased in 1965.
The journal’s masthead declared its purpose: “Devoted to the Defense, Maintenance and Propagation of Christianity, Religious News and General Intelligence.” Nicknamed the “Old Reliable,” ACR was highly influential among Restoration churches, particularly those in the North. 8,500 copies were published each week in 1860, and subscription lists show the journal grew to just under 10,000 subscribers from 1904 to 1925. Contributors included Moses E. Lard, John Rogers, Elijah Goodwin, Charles L. Loos, and Isaac Errett. Committed to defending apostolic Christianity and the plain words of the Bible, ACR considered biblical silence prohibitive, opposed instrumental music in the assembly, strongly encouraged educational institutions, and took a neutral stance on slavery.

(Adapted from Foster, Douglas A., Paul M. Blowers, Anthony L. Dunnavant, and D. Newell Williams, eds. The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004)

Scanning of this publication graciously funded by Jim McMillon.