A telegram from President B. H. DeMent of the Baptist Bible Institute, New Orleans, conveys the sad intelligence of the death of Dr. John T. Christian, who has since 1910 been head of the Department of Christian History in the Bible Institute. Dr. Christian has been in failing health for some time and his departure was not unexpected, though the news will bring sadness throughout the whole Southern Baptist Convention.

      He was recognized, not only as a great student, preacher, pastor and denominational leader, but probably the best posted man on Baptist History in our ranks. He was the author of several books, among them "Immersion," "Baptism in Sculpture and Art," and different books on Baptist History. His crowning work was the writing of "The History of the Baptists." The first volume would make any man immortal In the annals of Christian thought and history. The second volume is just coming from the press of the Sunday School Board.

      He was a great student and collected one of the most valuable libraries to be found anywhere, which, by the way, he gave to the Institute and a movement is now on foot to erect a modem fire proof library building for it. In his going the Bible Institute suffers a great loss. Not only was his influence felt in his particular department, but his spirit was helpful everywhere.

      He was born near Lexington, Ky in 1854 and died at his home in New Orleans, December 18th. The funeral was held In Managan Chapel of the Bible Institute Saturday morning, the 19th. Burial at New Castle, Ky Monday, the 21st.

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[From the Baptist Messenger, December 23, 1925, p. 6, on-line edition. The document was supplied by Ben Stratton, Farmington, KY. Formatted by Jim Duvall.]