The following is an excerpt from the book, Sketches of Our Mountain Pioneers, edited by J. W. West. It describes the meeting between Chester Bullard and Alexander Campbell.
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In 1840 Chester Bullard and Alexander Campbell met at Charlottesville. They had previously had some correspondence, and on learning that Alexander Campbell was to be in Charlottesville, Bullard determined to meet him. The two had a number of lengthy conversations, learning that each had by an independent study of the Scriptures, arrived at the same conclusions, and were teaching the same things. The Bible alone, divorced from creeds, disciplines, articles of faith and traditions of men, makes followers of Christ one in faith, doctrine and fellowship. While Bullard had been certain that Campbell was partly right, he planned to debate with him on his “errors,” in an effort to set him absolutely right. But the two found that they were kindred spirits in a common cause, and each joyfully accepted the other as a fellow-laborer in the Lord’s vineyard. Thus was the work of the two men joined.