Biblical Recorder
Encyclopedia
The Biblical Recorder is a weekly newspaper published by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina
(BSCNC).
.
Apart from providing news, Meredith used the paper as a vehicle for clear and principled editorials on issues of the day such as
slavery, which he strongly opposed, "Campbellism
", which threatened to cause a split in the Baptist movement, temperance, and the troubled relationship with the Triennial Convention
.
At that time, many Baptist preachers had limited formal education. Religious periodicals such as the Recorder were of great importance to pastors in furthering their theological education and staying connected to other Baptists.
Meredith often published multi-issue expositions of key doctrines or defenses of traditional evangelical theological convictions, always providing a rigorously orthodox view.
First published in Edenton
, the paper was moved to New Bern
in 1934 and to Raleigh
in 1938, where it is still based. After the move to Raleigh the paper was merged with the Southern Watchman of Charleston, South Carolina
, and until 1842 was named The Recorder and Watchman. Meredith continued as editor until his death in 1851. The paper then went through various changes of ownership, at some times suspended for lack of funds.
C.T. Bailey, who edited the Recorder in the late 1800s, died in 1895 and was succeeded by his son Josiah Bailey, aged 22.
Josiah Bailey used the paper to promote the development of public education based on state aid for primary and secondary education, a change from earlier policy which had advocated parochial schools.
Bailey also championed the temperance movement
. After leaving the paper he had a successful career as a lawyer and a Senator.
R.G. Puckett, editor of the Recorder since 1982, former president of the Southern Baptist Press Association and former board chairman of Associated Baptist Press
, retired at the end of December 1998.
When announcing his retirement, Puckett said the 57,000-circulation Recorder "has been on the cutting edge of issues, unafraid to take a stand -- however controversial -- and to provide an open forum for the exchange of Baptist perceptions and views on church, denominational life and trends in society".
In February 2006, Editor-President Tony Cartledge announced that the Recorder would choose some of its own directors in a move to preserve its journalistic freedom, invoking an obscure clause of its charter. This was considered likely to cause loss of some funding from the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
The move was in response to fears that the Convention was stacking the board with "agenda-bearing conservatives".
Cartledge did not follow through this move as this action as the provision in the BSCNC allowing this move also included a loss of a portion of that year's funding from the BSCNC. Cartledge retired as editor in 2007 and now teaches at the Campbell University Divinity School.
The format and delivery system that makes the Recorder available to Baptists has changed over time. The bi-weekly print version that is distributed throughout North Carolina, and in 48 states and 39 foreign countries, hovers around 25,000 copies, but thousands more read the Recorder online.
Baptist State Convention of North Carolina
The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina is an autonomous association of Baptist churches in the states of North Carolina. It is one of the state conventions associated with the Southern Baptist Convention...
(BSCNC).
Early history
The newspaper was founded in 1835 by Thomas Meredith, a prominent Southern Baptist leader in North CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
Apart from providing news, Meredith used the paper as a vehicle for clear and principled editorials on issues of the day such as
slavery, which he strongly opposed, "Campbellism
Restoration Movement
The Restoration Movement is a Christian movement that began on the American frontier during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century...
", which threatened to cause a split in the Baptist movement, temperance, and the troubled relationship with the Triennial Convention
Triennial Convention
The Triennial Convention, founded in 1814, was the first national Baptist denomination in the United States of America. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it was formed to advance missionary work...
.
At that time, many Baptist preachers had limited formal education. Religious periodicals such as the Recorder were of great importance to pastors in furthering their theological education and staying connected to other Baptists.
Meredith often published multi-issue expositions of key doctrines or defenses of traditional evangelical theological convictions, always providing a rigorously orthodox view.
First published in Edenton
Edenton, North Carolina
Edenton is a town in Chowan County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,966 at the 2008 census. It is the county seat of Chowan County. Edenton is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region. In recent years Edenton has become a popular retirement location and a destination for...
, the paper was moved to New Bern
New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern is a city in Craven County, North Carolina with a population of 29,524 as of the 2010 census.. It is located at the confluence of the Trent and the Neuse rivers...
in 1934 and to Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
in 1938, where it is still based. After the move to Raleigh the paper was merged with the Southern Watchman of Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, and until 1842 was named The Recorder and Watchman. Meredith continued as editor until his death in 1851. The paper then went through various changes of ownership, at some times suspended for lack of funds.
C.T. Bailey, who edited the Recorder in the late 1800s, died in 1895 and was succeeded by his son Josiah Bailey, aged 22.
Josiah Bailey used the paper to promote the development of public education based on state aid for primary and secondary education, a change from earlier policy which had advocated parochial schools.
Bailey also championed the temperance movement
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
. After leaving the paper he had a successful career as a lawyer and a Senator.
BSCNC agency
The Biblical Recorder was purchased by Baptist State Convention of North Carolina in 1930.R.G. Puckett, editor of the Recorder since 1982, former president of the Southern Baptist Press Association and former board chairman of Associated Baptist Press
Associated Baptist Press
The Associated Baptist Press was founded in 1990 as an independent Baptist news agency. ABP has no headquarters office; its staff is located in various locations in four states with an office in Washington, DC housing the organization's Washington Bureau. ABP is a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship...
, retired at the end of December 1998.
When announcing his retirement, Puckett said the 57,000-circulation Recorder "has been on the cutting edge of issues, unafraid to take a stand -- however controversial -- and to provide an open forum for the exchange of Baptist perceptions and views on church, denominational life and trends in society".
In February 2006, Editor-President Tony Cartledge announced that the Recorder would choose some of its own directors in a move to preserve its journalistic freedom, invoking an obscure clause of its charter. This was considered likely to cause loss of some funding from the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
The move was in response to fears that the Convention was stacking the board with "agenda-bearing conservatives".
Cartledge did not follow through this move as this action as the provision in the BSCNC allowing this move also included a loss of a portion of that year's funding from the BSCNC. Cartledge retired as editor in 2007 and now teaches at the Campbell University Divinity School.
The format and delivery system that makes the Recorder available to Baptists has changed over time. The bi-weekly print version that is distributed throughout North Carolina, and in 48 states and 39 foreign countries, hovers around 25,000 copies, but thousands more read the Recorder online.