In 1950, Charles Dady, a non-Baptist from Dixon, was so impressed by the Baptist and Reflector that he prepaid a 50-year subscription, trusting its value through March 15, 2000.
You read that correctly. Dady sent $100 to the Tennessee Baptist Foundation, with the yearly $3.71 earnings to cover the $2 annual subscription renewal and the other $1.71 designated for missions. There is no record that Dady renewed, but his commitment to the paper was rooted in the conviction the Baptist and Reflector was worth the investment.
It still is.
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The Baptist and Reflector is 190 years old this year, making it one of the 25 oldest continuously published newspapers in America, secular or religious.
Since its founding in 1835, the Baptist and Reflector has been “telling the story of Tennessee Baptists,” as stated immediately under the paper’s flag on the front page of this and every issue.
Founder and first editor R.B.C. Howell stated in the first issue in 1835 that the vision of the paper was, “To unite, harmonise [sic], and invigorate the Church in this state, some medium of communication through which our brethren in various parts should have knowledge of each other, and reciprocally understand more extensively and distinctly their feelings, views, and designs.” It’s a mission the paper still fulfills.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Chris Turner and originally published by the Baptist and Reflector.
