FROM

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VOL. 21

NOVEMBER 1961

NO. 5

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      One of the most colorful and controversial figures of the nineteenth century reformation movement was Jacob Creath, Jr. (He was called "junior" to distinguish him from his uncle, Jacob Creath, Sr., 1777-1854.) A native of Virginia he moved to Kentucky and later to Missouri where he lived more than half his life.

      He was a pamphleteer and a prolific writer of articles for the brotherhood press. A stout advocate of Bible revision, he spent months and traveled many miles talking for the American Bible Union and collecting money for the "new version," that would use the word "immerse" for "baptise."

      Although he published no "hard cover" books we know of sixteen pamphlets that he wrote--perhaps there were more. Of the men of which there is a record only about half are known to be in libraries.

      For two years (November 1829-October 1831) Creath and J. G. Norwood edited the Christian Examiner in Lexington and Louisville, Ky. Later he was a contributing editor to several papers.

      When the American Missionary Society was organized, Mr. Creath was one of the first--if not the first--to speak and write against it. He made a public statement that the longer he lived the more he was convinced that the only book necessary to be read was the Bible. Yet, his account books show a regular continued purchase of books!

      In the March, 1866, issue of The Christian Pioneer, published at Chillicothe, Mo., by D. T. Wright, Creath started "The Parentage and Autobiography of Elder Jacob Creath, Palmyra, Mo.," a series that continued for more than twenty numbers. This was the source from which Peter Donan drew material for his Memoir.

      Just as D. S. Burnet laid the foundations for the agency patterns of the present Christian churches Jacob Creath, Jr., perhaps had much to do with the polity and teachings of present Churches of Christ. Here is another man in "undeserved obscurity."

      The library of DCHS has a large collection of Creath's personal papers, about half of his writings and many of the periodicals for which he wrote. These are waiting for the right researcher!

      An Abstinence Lecture Delivered December 15, 1871, in the Second Presbyterian Church, Palmyra, Mo. Hannibal, Mo., Winchell & Ebert Printing and Lithographing Co., 1872. 14 p., paper covers.

      Biographical Sketches of Elder Wm. Creath, a Calvinist Baptist Preacher, of Mecklenburg County, Va., and His Family, [63] by his son . . . of Palmyra, Mo. St. Louis. T. W. Ustick, Printer, 1866. 58 p., paper covers.

      A Blow at the Root of Episcopalianism. 1848. 24. p.

      A Blow at the Root of Popery; Being a Reply to Samuel Steel, a Preacher of Presbyterianism, in Winchester, Ky., by Junius Minimus Natu. Bethany, Va., A. Campbell, 1828. 24 p.

      A Blow at the Root of Puseyism and Episcopalianism; Being an Answer to an Anonymous Book Published by a Priest of the Catholic Church, by Junius Minimus Natu. St. Louis? 1847? 56 p., self-covers.

      A Blow at the Root of Unbelief, or a Tract on Laws. 1843.

      A Chronological Table of Important Events, From the Commencement of the Christian Era to the Year Eighteen Hundred and Twenty-five. [Palmyra, Mo.], Printed at the Spectator office, 1868. 16 p., paper covers.

      Essays Against the Utility of Human Creeds. Palmyra, Mo., Author, 1855? 24 p.

      The Great and Decisive Battle of Armegedon, 2nd ed. 1865? 60 p.

      A History of the Facts in Relation to the Conduct of Henry Foster, (of Fayette County, Ky.) From the year 1831, to the year 1840. [Palmyra, Mo., Printed at the office of the Missouri Courier, 1840]. 16 p. self covers.

      Memoirs of Elder Jacob Creath, Senior, of Lexington, Ky., by His Nephew. Palmyra, Mo., Author, 1866? 58 p.

      A Plea for the Bible Alone, to Govern the Christian Church; or Some Essays Against the Utility of Human Creeds to Govern the Kingdom of Christ. St. Louis, Author, 1845. 24 p.

      Poor Man's Pathway to Heaven, or the Road to Everlasting Life.

      Revivals of Religion. 1844.

      Some Essays on Marriage and Divorce; and the Equality of Men and Women Considered, and the Excellency and Nobleness of Women Shown. St. Louis, T.W. Ustick, Printer, 1845. 42 p., papers covers.

      A Tract on the Use and Abuse of Tobacco. [Palmyra, Mo.], Printed by J. Sosey & Son, 1871. 16 p.

      An Address to the Brethren, by the Church at David's Fork, in Answer to a History of Facts, in Relation to the Conduct of Henry Foster by Jacob Creath, Jr. Lexington, Ky., Printed by N. L. & J. W. Finnell--Intelligencer office, 1841. 21 p. self covers.

BOLES, Henry Leo
      "Jacob Creath, Jr." (In his Biographical Sketches of Gospel Preachers, 1932, pp. 91-95.)

DONAN, Peter
      Memoir of Jacob Creath, Jr. Cincinnati, R. W. Carroll & Co., Publishers, 1872. 241 p., front. (port.)
      Another edition of this work published in Cincinnati by Chase & Hall in 1877, had 212 p. The most recent printing was in 1952 by the Religious Book Service of Indianapolis. This has a 16p. supplement, The "Iron Duke" by Earl West.

FOSTER, Henry
      A Reply to Personalities and Animadversions, on the Conduct of Henry Foster, Contained in Jacob Creath's Pamphlet. 10 p. (Paged separately in An Address to the Brethren by the Church at David's Fork.)

FOWLER, O. S.
      Phrenological Chart of Elder Jacob Creath, given at Memphis, Tenn., by O. S. Fowler, Professor of Phrenology, May 20, 1859. Broadside, 6½ x 12½, reprinted from the Western Spectator.

      The Report of a Committee, Called at the Request of the Elders of the Christian Congregation in Monticello, Lewis County, Mo., From the Congregation in Houston and Palmyra, to Investigate "An Address" Purporting to be Written by the David's Fork Church in Fayette County, Ky., Against Elder Jacob Creath, Jr. Palmyra. Mo.? 1841? 8 p., self covers.

ROGERS, William C.
      "Jacob Creath, Jr." (In his Recollections of Men of Faith, 1889, pp. 230-250.)

      A Shield to Jacob Creath, Jr., a Teacher of Christianity in the Congregations at Bethel and Shilo; Against the Assaults Made upon His Reputation. Woodville, Wilkinson County, Mississippi, August - 1827. 8 p. self covers. [64]

[Discipliana 21 (November 1961): 63-64.]

      Claude E. Spencer's " Jacob Creath, Jr., 1799-1886 . . . Books by and about" was first published in Discipliana, Vol. 21, No. 5, November 1961 (pp. 63-64). Thanks to Peter M. Morgan, President of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, for permission to reprint this bibliography as an electronic text at the Restoration Movement site.

      I have let stand variations and inconsistencies in the author's (or editor's) use of italics, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling in the bibliography.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 27 October 1998.
Updated 5 July 2003.