Disciples History Moment for February 16, 2025
Reminder: The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is one branch of the Stone-Campbell Movement. The others being the Churches of Christ and the Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. Confusing? Sure it is, with all having similar names. These three branches recognize their beginning with, primarily, the two most famous leaders of the 19th century church reforming movements in the US, Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell. Thus, the Stone-Campbell Movement.
Continuing our observance of Black History Month and highlighting Black personages in the Stone-Campbell Movement, we honor Marshall Keeble. Marshall was the most successful evangelist among black Churches of Christ (the non-instrumental branch of churches) baptizing as many as 30,000 individuals. Born in 1878, he had a 7th grade education and worked in a soap factory. Keeble began preaching in 1897 in Nashville and by 1914 was traveling as an itinerant evangelist throughout the South and worldwide. At one camp meeting he baptized 115 in one day! He personified the conservative Church of Christ and championed full immersion baptism over what he called the “dry cleaning” of other non-immersion churches. “The devil wants you dry,” he said, “so you’ll burn better.”
The editor of the Firm Foundation wrote, “No man living, black or white, has done more to break down any racial barriers that might exist than has Marshall Keeble.” He went on, referring to Keeble as the “apostle of goodwill” who believed that “in Christ we are all brothers, regardless of nationality or color.”
Marshall Keeble died in 1968.
Rev. Kevin K. Adams
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