Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 97:386 (Apr 1940)
Article: Editorials
Author: Anonymous

BSac 97:386 (Apr 40) p. 129

Editorials

Dr. Rollin Thomas Chafer

By the death of Dr. Rollin Thomas Chafer on April 13, 1940 (his seventy-third year), the fourth editor of BIBLIOTHECA SACRA in its long and honorable career of nearly a century, is removed. Dr. Chafer had served for six years or since the Quarterly became the property and charge of the Dallas Theological Seminary, of Dallas, Texas. Dr. Chafer possessed rare literary gifts and his editorials, articles, and book reviews have been received with the highest commendation both in America and abroad. His death, in the providence of God, has removed another Christian scholar who arose to the unusual editorial demands of this unique magazine, who had the requisite insight into all phases of Biblical doctrine, who was himself a devout conservative teacher and the embodiment of Christian grace.

For the present Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, brother of the deceased and president of the Dallas Theological Seminary, accepts the appointment as Acting Literary and Managing Editor Of BIBLIOTHECA SACRA. The specific character of the magazine-the voice of the conservative Biblical doctrine of the Dallas Theological Seminary-will remain unchanged.

Historical Sketch

As under the guiding hand of God the editorial responsibility of BIBLIOTHECA SACRA is changing, it is fitting that the first editorial written for the Quarterly by Dr. Rollin Thomas Chafer, which is historical in character, should be reprinted. Under the caption Salutatory he states:

“With this issue [1934] 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

BSac 97:386 (Apr 40) p. 130

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, Professor 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 equalled 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, t...