Thomas Raines Burnett
(1842-1916)
Preacher, author, poet, and controversialist born near Nickajack Lake, Tennessee. Burnett's family moved from Tennessee to Texas when he was 8 years old, and he was educated for six years in local Texas schools. He served in the 34th Texas Cavalry and Polignac's brigade during the Civil War, seeing action at least seven times. Burnett described his family religion as "Wesleyan," and he grew up as a Methodist. Following the war, Burnett taught school and edited several small Texas newspapers. Immersed by Professor Charles Carlton in 1874, Burnett established the Christian Messenger at Bonham, Texas, in 1875, appointing Carlton its first editor. Through the Messenger, Burnett resisted the introduction of instrumental music into Texas churches, fought the idea of the "hired preacher," and attacked Austin McGary's demand for rebaptism of converts already immersed. In 1894 Burnett sold the Messenger to the Gospel Advocate, joining the Advocate staff with a page called, "Burnett's Budget." David Lipscomb generally agreed with Burnett's doctrinal positions, but found disagreeable Burnett's penchant for controversy, including "cuts and innuendoes." In 1899 Lipscomb terminated Burnett's editorial connection with the Advocate. By 1901 Burnett had turned Burnett's Budget into a four-page monthly periodical, and through its pages he continued to articulate his views with wit, humorous rhyme, sarcasm, and vitriol until his death in 1916. Burnett produced eighteen popular books and tracts, including Center Shots (1912), Hezekiah Jones (1895), Valid Baptism: A Discussion Between A. McGary and T.R. Burnett (1898), and three volumes of Doctrinal Poetry (1905, 1910, and 1913).
Bibliography:
Terry J. Garner, "T.R. Burnett - Master of Repartee," Faith and Facts 23 (April 1995): 121-39.
Charles R. Nichol, Gospel Preachers Who Blazed The Trail (1911, 1955).
John T. Oakley, J.N. Hall's Campbellite Catchism with Conflicting Answers of Two Distinguished Campbellites, A. McGary and T.R. Burnett (1898).
Source: The Encyclopedia Of The Stone-Campbell Movement: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), ed. Douglas Allen Foster, page 103.
Parents: Joseph and Polly (Young) Burnett.
Husband of:
1. R. Elizabeth (Piner) Burnett
2. Virginia (Baker) Burnett
3. Louisa Olivia (McMackin) Burnett
Thomas Raines Burnett
(1842-1916)
Preacher, author, poet, and controversialist born near Nickajack Lake, Tennessee. Burnett's family moved from Tennessee to Texas when he was 8 years old, and he was educated for six years in local Texas schools. He served in the 34th Texas Cavalry and Polignac's brigade during the Civil War, seeing action at least seven times. Burnett described his family religion as "Wesleyan," and he grew up as a Methodist. Following the war, Burnett taught school and edited several small Texas newspapers. Immersed by Professor Charles Carlton in 1874, Burnett established the Christian Messenger at Bonham, Texas, in 1875, appointing Carlton its first editor. Through the Messenger, Burnett resisted the introduction of instrumental music into Texas churches, fought the idea of the "hired preacher," and attacked Austin McGary's demand for rebaptism of converts already immersed. In 1894 Burnett sold the Messenger to the Gospel Advocate, joining the Advocate staff with a page called, "Burnett's Budget." David Lipscomb generally agreed with Burnett's doctrinal positions, but found disagreeable Burnett's penchant for controversy, including "cuts and innuendoes." In 1899 Lipscomb terminated Burnett's editorial connection with the Advocate. By 1901 Burnett had turned Burnett's Budget into a four-page monthly periodical, and through its pages he continued to articulate his views with wit, humorous rhyme, sarcasm, and vitriol until his death in 1916. Burnett produced eighteen popular books and tracts, including Center Shots (1912), Hezekiah Jones (1895), Valid Baptism: A Discussion Between A. McGary and T.R. Burnett (1898), and three volumes of Doctrinal Poetry (1905, 1910, and 1913).
Bibliography:
Terry J. Garner, "T.R. Burnett - Master of Repartee," Faith and Facts 23 (April 1995): 121-39.
Charles R. Nichol, Gospel Preachers Who Blazed The Trail (1911, 1955).
John T. Oakley, J.N. Hall's Campbellite Catchism with Conflicting Answers of Two Distinguished Campbellites, A. McGary and T.R. Burnett (1898).
Source: The Encyclopedia Of The Stone-Campbell Movement: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), ed. Douglas Allen Foster, page 103.
Parents: Joseph and Polly (Young) Burnett.
Husband of:
1. R. Elizabeth (Piner) Burnett
2. Virginia (Baker) Burnett
3. Louisa Olivia (McMackin) Burnett
Gravesite Details
*The Grave marker says that T.R. Burnett was born in 1837, but two different biographical sketches determine that he was born in 1842.
Family Members
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