Alvin Ray Jennings

This little book is a wonderful resource on the life of T. M. Miller.

Thomas Miller Allen (b. 1797) was baptized by Barton W. Stone in May 1823, most likely in Bloomington, Indiana. He soon left the law practice to enter the ministry in Fayette County in Kentucky, where he had a farm near Lexington. He established five or six churches in Fayette and Burbon counties in Kentucky, and preached in them, often with John Allen Gano, until 1836, when he moved to Missouri. While ministering in Kentucky he promoted the union of Stone's "Christians" and Alexander Campbell's "Disciples" that was initiated in 1832.

He moved to his new farm in Boone County, Missouri in 1836 where he established several churches and served as pastor until his death.

Allen had a great interest in higher education and served on the board of the University of Missouri. He contributed liberally to Bethany College, which was founded by Alexander Campbell, whom he got to meet and know well. He helped organize Christian College in Columnia, Missouri and supported the Female Orphan School in Camden Point, Missouri.

Allen's first wife died in 1850. In 1854 he married widow Mary M. Barr, and in 1859 received a divorce from her on the ground that she deserted.

Allen owned slaves but seemed to have opposed slavery from the beginning. He was a member of the Colonization Society and served as president in 1846.

Allen frequently sent letters to Stone-Campbell papers, such as the Millennial Harbinger, the Christian Messager, and the American Christian Review. He letters were intended to encourage readers, as "he reported on meetings held, numbers added, persons involved, spirit engendered, and opportunities still unused."

His travels included conducting meetings in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Missouri, and Illinois. Once, in April 1858, he traveled 400 miles to conduct a meeting at the church in Bloomington, Illinois, where 33 were added (p. 169).

[I believe the reference to "Elder Majors" on p. 106 may be a reference to William T. Major, the founder of the First Christian Church in Bloomington, Illinois.]

He knew and served with many first and second generation Stone-Campbell movement leaders including Stone and Campbell, J. W. McGarvey, W. H. Hopson, Jacob Creath, Jr., John T. Johnson, Moses E. Lard, John Allen Gano, "Racoon" John Smith, Walter Scott, and Benjamin Franklin.

Allen died October 10, 1871 in Columbia, Missouri. His only survivng child, William Henry Allen was at his side. Allen's funeral was attended by hundreds in the community, as he was highly respected and well-liked.

During his 49-year ministry, Allen baptized nearly 4000 persons and planted nearly 20 churches. He was against using the musical instrument in worship

The book is heavily footnoted and a bibliography is included. There is no index.… (mais)