Songs in Three Streams: Charting the Historical Development of the Stone-Campbell Movement Through Its Hymnals

The original intention of the Stone-Campbell Movement was to unite all the sects of the Christian faith through the plea of a restoration of the original, primitive  form  of  Christianity  described  in  the  Bible.  Unfortunately,  this movement with a unique plea for universal Christian unity eventually fragmented into several subdivided groups. Upon careful examination and contemplation, we suggest that a look at the Movement's hymnody is a perfect tool for  studying,  classifying,  and  illustrating  the  stages  and  components  of  the Stone-Campbell  Movement  and  its  divisions.  Through  a  cursory  overview  of important  hymnals  and  Stone-Campbell  musical  anecdotes,  the  following manuscript briefly pursues this fundamental concept.