Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 91:361 (Jan 1934)
Article: Editorials
Author: Rollin Thomas Chafer

BSac 91:361 (Jan 34) p. 1

Editorials

Rollin T. Chafer

Salutatory

With this issue Bibliotheca Sacra begins a new era in its long and honored history. This Quarterly was founded in 1843 by Dr. Edward Robinson and was published that year in New York City. In 1844 it was moved to Andover, Massachusetts, where Professor Edwards A. Park of Andover Seminary was its principal editor until his death, and the completion of the fortieth volume, in 1883. Closely associated with him, Professors Bela B. Edwards and Moses Stuart shared in the success of the publication. Beginning with the volume of 1884 Dr. George Frederick Wright, the eminent geologist and Christian apologist of Oberlin College, became leading editor, serving until his death in 1921. In that year Xenia Theological Seminary, then located in St. Louis, acquired ownership of the magazine through the gift of a friend, and Dr. Melvin Grove Kyle became editor-in-chief, continuing until his death in May, 1933, rounding out the last of only three editorships covering the period of ninety years. This combined editorial record is probably not equaled in length of service and uniformly high character in the history of any similar testimony published in North America. Although the present issue is the first number of Volume XCI, the additional statement is made that this is the one-hundred-and-fourth year of publication. This is explained by the fact that three other periodicals, namely, Theological Eclectic, Biblical Repository, and Christian Review, had been merged with this Quarterly, the serial numbers of the oldest of the three publications dating back to 1831. For several years the officers of the Evangelical Theological College had been urged to establish a theological review, and the proposal had often been the subject of prayer in the College. During these years suggestions from various quarters had been offered bearing upon the desire for features not usually incorporated in such a publication, and which might be expected to serve

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the interests of a substantial number of readers. Hence, when the opportunity suddenly came to take over this the oldest theological review in our country, the members of the new staff were not altogether unprepared to make a start on short notice, fully recognizing, however, the great value of cumulating experience for fuller attainment in the conduct of such a responsible undertaking.

Under a changed ownership and a new editorial board some differences in editorial policy were to be expected. This is not to be construed as implying an attitude of criticism toward our esteemed predecessors, some of whom have been linked in the past with members of our staff in warmest fellowship and sincere affection. Two members of the new editorial board and a...