On Saturday, January 1, 1832, two groups of believers met at the Hill Street church in Lexington, Kentucky: the Christians who followed Barton W. Stone and the reformers associated with Alexander Campbell. “Raccoon” John Smith spoke first. He said, “Let us, then, my brethren, be no longer Campbellites, or Stoneites, New Lights or Old Lights,” but come “to the Bible, and to the Bible alone.” He reminded them there may be ten thousand opinions but only one faith, so Christians must be one in faith, not in opinion. Stone answered that he had no objection, and said, “I am willing to give him, now and here, my hand.” Their handshake became famous. Unity often starts with one hand reaching out.
