Foldered & Finished: Claude Adrian Guild Papers

The Claude Adrian Guild Papers (1939-1992) are processed and ready for researchers. The finding aid for the papers and digitized selections are now available on DigitalCommons@ACU.

The Unity of the Spirit sermon, Box 1, Folder 9, Claude Adrian Guild Papers, 1939-1992. Center for Restoration Studies MS #60. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

Claude Adrian Guild was born in Buffalo, Montana, in 1916. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Abilene Christian College in 1939 and a Master of Arts in Religion from Pepperdine University in 1978. Guild was raised as member of the Lutheran Church but later converted and began serving as an evangelist for the Churches of Christ. He was baptized by J. C. Bailey in Radville, Saskatchewan. Guild preached for a number of Churches of Christ in Texas including Springtown Church of Christ in Springtown, and Riverside Church of Christ in Fort Worth. In Oregon Guild served at Southwest Church of Christ in Tigard and also held evangelistic meeting across the Western United States and Canada. Additionally, he spent time as a missionary in Australia, and served as the Vice President of Columbia Christian College (Portland, Oregon) and as the President of Fort Worth Christian College (Fort Worth, Texas). Guild died in 1996.

The “Tas-Dil” News, 24 May 1981, Series II, Box 1, Folder 7, Claude Adrian Guild Papers, 1939-1992. Center for Restoration Studies MS #60. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

This collection includes sermons, scrapbooks, biographical information, notes from graduate studies, and a number of awards. The Australia – Bulletins and Advertisements folder and the red scrapbook provide insight into Guild’s work as a missionary in Australia. The scrapbooks provide the most biographical information and the most substantive correspondence.

Foldered & Finished: James Walton Shepherd Papers

The James Walton Shepherd Papers (1827-2003) are processed and ready for researchers. The finding aid for the papers and digitized selections are now available on DigitalCommons@ACU.

Page one of letter from James A. Harding to James Walton Shepherd dated 5 June 1895, Box 1, Folder Harding, James A., James Walton Shepherd Papers, 1827-2002. Center for Restoration Studies MS #230. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

James Walton Shepherd was born near Lexington, Kentucky, on August 18, 1861. He was converted under the teaching of James A. Harding and attended the College of the Bible (Lexington, Kentucky) where he studied under J. W. McGarvey, I. B. Grubbs, and Robert Graham. Shepherd preached in the U.S. and engaged in mission work in Australia and New Zealand (c. 1888-1892). He later served as the librarian at Nashville Bible School, office manager of the Gospel Advocate, and editor of the Christian Leader. He published multiple books, and edited five volumes of David Lipscomb’s notes on the New Testament. He died at age 86 on July 27, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan.

First page of letter from John Moody McCaleb to V M Metcalfe dated 31 January 1896, Box 1, Folder McCaleb, John Moody, James Walton Shepherd Papers, 1827-2002. Center for Restoration Studies MS #230. Abilene Christian University Special Collections and Archives, Brown Library. Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX.

This collection includes correspondence to and from Shepherd, and personal journals he  kept for several years. Two of these journals (1889 and 1891) describe Shepherd’s time as a missionary in Australia and New Zealand. There are also notes from his time as a student at the College of the Bible and biographical information. The collection also includes correspondence between Mary (Shepherd’s daughter) and Claude French, and correspondence to and from Mary concerning her father in his older age.  The two letters featured here, and several more, are now available for browsing and download at DigitalCommons@ACU.