Baptist influence in the public arena: Baptists began as a small, oppressed movement in the American colonies, and Baptists became well-known and well-despised as defenders of freedom and champions of religious liberty. In their early years, they had no political power, and few Baptists ventured into the public arena.

As the nation grew and matured, Baptists also grew and matured, eventually becoming a majority movement, particularly in the southern region of the country. As their numbers increased, Baptists slowly gained more clout and prestige, and Baptist men and women began to provide leadership in politics, social reform, and education. In the twentieth century especially, Baptists stepped up and began service as leaders in public life.

In 1920, Baptist layman Warren G. Harding was elected as president. Three other Baptists have since held that office: Harry S. Truman, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton. Three Baptists have been appointed to the United States Supreme Court: Hugo L. Black, Charles E. Hughes, and Howell E. Jackson. Numerous Baptist men and women--Democrats and Republicans--have served in the United States Congress and Senate, including Robert Byrd, Mark O. Hatfield, Brooks Hays, Jesse Helms, Barbara Jordan, Juanita Millender-McDonald, Trent Lott, Jennings Randolph, and Harold E. Stassen. Baptists can now claim a strong and diverse heritage in the political arena.

In other areas of public life, the influence of Baptist leaders has also been strongly felt. Walter Rauschenbusch and Martin Luther King, Jr., served as social reformers and Baptist prophets; leaders of Christian Life Commissions provided ethical and moral guidance for Baptists; and Billy Graham served as America's preacher and pastor during the last half of the twentieth century.

The Summer/Fall 2006 issue of Baptist History and Heritage contains articles on Baptist public figures and their contributions to American society and to the Baptist world. Each of these articles was presented at the 2006 Baptist History and Heritage Society annual meeting held in Washington, D.C.

The first three articles highlight the work and contributions of Baptist social and ethical reformers. Brent Walker's article offers a top-ten list of contributions made by Joseph M. Dawson and James M. Dunn to the Baptist Joint Committee. Bill and Andrew Tillman's article details the rise, decline, and fall of the Christian Life Commission idea. The article by Bill Pitts offers a fresh look at Walter Rauschenbusch's Christianity and the Social Crisis.

Also included are three articles that provide insight into the lives and contributions of Baptists who served in the United States Congress and Senate. Bonnie Oliver's article recounts the life and service of Barbara Jordan, who was an extraordinary political pioneer. Nicholas Kersten's article provides an overview of the Seventh Day Baptist senator, Jennings Randolph, and Fred Williams's article highlights the courageous career of Congressman Brooks Hays.

Three other articles are centered on the words of Baptist preachers. Denton Lotz provides an insightful and often personal look at the ministry career of America's favorite preacher during the last half of the twentieth century, Billy Graham. Lotz focuses in on Graham's leadership in ecumenism, racial and social justice, and peace efforts. David King traces the career of another of America's favorite preachers, Harry Emerson Fosdick, who, through his sermons and writings during the first half of the twentieth century, shaped American culture and the beliefs about war and peace. And finally, this issue of the journal contains the 2006 award-winning Baptist heritage sermon of Martha Kearse. Kearse preached her sermon, "Unclean," at the Saturday morning session of the annual meeting.

Pamela R. Durso

Editor