In the last part of this lesson, I want to mention to you three reasons why this division occurred. Of course, we’ve already talked about these things in general, but let me cite for you and sort of summarize these things that we have talked about.

1. There was, of course, the long controversy that focused on the Missionary Society, instrumental music and the problems that those things presented—the development of an antagonistic spirit, a divisive spirit among brethren, and so on, about these things. However, this really underlies a difference in perspective, and once again, sort of between the North and the South. As we know, Alexander Campbell had formulated a very strict view in his writings, in his teachings and in his preaching, when he insisted that the New Testament and the New Testament only, was the blueprint for the church and that any practice not specified in this pattern would, thus, be forbidden.

Later, as the Restoration Movement would grow, there would be seen some beginnings of a denominational mentality. Many would then begin to interpret the Restoration principles not quite as

stringent, not quite as restrictive, as they were outlined initially by Alexander Campbell. And so, more and more there would be those who would not shun, not spurn, the New Testament, but they would look to expedience, expedience to accomplish the things that they wanted to accomplish. An example would be the rise of the American Missionary Society; another example: some people wanted to an instrument of music. They refer to those things as an expedient.

And so, Brother Moses Lard had warned in 1869 that “expediency might be the rock on which the Restoration Movement went to pieces.” And indeed, expediency was one of those rocks.

2. Well, a second reason for the division had to do with sectionalism and Civil War bitterness. We have discussed that in considerable detail. We know what took place, how it took place and how the problem of this division was added to by the position that was taken by the American Missionary Society tending to drive that further and more deeply.

3. And then, another factor that was seen particularly in the North was a growing social and economic difference between North and South, the South regarded as being more frontier, more rural, where the North would become more industrialized, have a stronger economic base. This would, then, form the basis in some people’s minds for this more progressive approach to religion and going away from Restoration principles, and more specifically, away from the New Testament standard.

We see, then, that by 1906, this division, which has really been underway for many years, is officially recognized by the U. S. Census Bureau, but moreover, it is recognized by brethren that there indeed has been a division, a noticeable division, which has taken place between Restoration Movement churches.

I was thinking that if some of these matters and ideals sound familiar, it’s because they are. These very same ideals are today being espoused among some who are a new group of progressives.