Will Campbell is one of the most colorful persons I have ever met, and I have just finished reading his captivating book Providence (1992). Campbell, a Baptist minister, activist, and author was born in Mississippi in 1924. He was the late cartoonist Doug Marlette’s inspiration for the character Will B. Dunn in his comic strip Kudzu.
Campbell is the author of many books, fiction and non-fiction. His autobiographical work Brother to a Dragonfly, which I enjoyed reading years ago, was a finalist for the National Book Award in 1978. And I found Providence, to be a fascinating narrative.
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The latter was founded and run by missionary evangelist Sherwood Eddy and Rev. Sam H. Franklin with the goal of helping southern sharecroppers. Providence and another cooperative started earlier were organized around four principles: efficiency in production and economy in finance through the cooperative principle, participation in building a socialized economy of abundance, interracial justice, and realistic religion as a social dynamic.
According to Campbell, there were many problems and faults with the efforts of the leaders of the Cooperative Farm, although they meant well. I was especially interested in the many references to Sam Franklin (1902-94), for he went on to become a Presbyterian missionary to Japan. When I lived in Tokyo (from 1966 to 1968), I was a member of a book study group of which Franklin was a member, and I remember him well.
The first part of the book tells about the years when that part of Mississippi was occupied by the Choctaw Indians and the shameful efforts which drove the Choctaw from the land they had occupied for untold generations. Then Campbell narrates some of the evils of slavery and the mistreatment of those used as possessions by the white plantation owners.
Campbell goes on to describe the situation on that one square mile during the Civil War, during the terrible time of Reconstruction, and during the following half century of struggles by a series of plantation owners. The last part of the book then tells of Campbell’s own unsuccessful efforts to restore the plantation to the Choctaws.
For all of you who are interested not only in American history but particularly in justice issues, I highly recommend Providence. And if you don’t know much about Will Campbell, or even if you do, I think you will find his story engaging. If you would like to see a brief 2008 interview with Campbell, click here for his thoughts about “Racism and the Church” (a little over two minutes).
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Dr. Glenn Hinson, my esteemed Thinking Friend who taught for many years at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and who was one of my professors my first year in seminary, wrote:
ReplyDelete"Will has lived Jesus. Many of us only talk about him. I had Will speak to one of my classes at Southern Seminary once; he is himself the message."
Will Campbell was the topic of at least two conversations on our recent vaction to Oxford, Mississippi. First we spent the night enroute in St. Louis with good friends. On their book shelf was Campbell's "The Convention." I mentioned it and we had a fun conversation about that book, "Brother of a Dragon Fly" and other things he's written.
ReplyDeleteThen in Mississippi, I scanned a book about Mississippi. In it there was a section on celebrities native to that state. Campbell was listed as one of the celebrities with a profile of his life. He was also shown in a photo on the profile of Eudora Welty. They were shown together in academic regalia. I forget the occassion and why Campbell was shown. The Eudora Welty fans in the group were interested in the Welty/Campbell conncetion.
So, Leroy, if nothing else, your timing on this posting is quite good. Will Campbell is intersecting with lots of people for lots of reasons.
Thanks for the book recommendation, too!