On "Zion's Advocate"

The following is taken from the primitive Baptist library web page. (see here)

CATALOG OF PRIMITIVE BAPTIST PERIODICALS IN THE COLLECTION OF

The Primitive Baptist Library, 416 Main Street, Carthage, IL 62321

Z I O N ' S A D V O C A T E
(Established in 1854)

The first issue was issued at Front Royal, Virginia, January 1854, by Elder John Clark, who was editor for about thirty years except for the period from 1864-1870. After his death, in 1882, it was published for several years by Elder C. H. Waters (1849-1920) as editor, and Bro. J. G. Wiltshire as publisher. In February 1891 the paper was purchased by Elder T. S. Dalton (1846-1931), who merged it with the Herald of Truth, and served as editor until 1898. Elder John R. Daily (1854-1920) then served as editor for eight years. In May 1906 Dr. C. H. Waters resumed the editorship for several years. Elder R. H. Pittman purchased the paper in May 1919, and in January 1921 purchased The Messenger of Truth from Elder F. P. Branscome. In March 1923, the Gospel Messenger was merged with it.

ELDER JOHN CLARK, FOUNDER AND EDITOR 

1854 (Vol. 1) - PBL - Complete (bound); PBL (film); Duke (complete)
1855 (Vol. 2) - PBL - May 1,15, Jun 1,15, Jul 1,15, Aug 1,15, Sep 1,15, Oct 1,15, Nov 1,15, Dec 1,
Duke - complete (we made a xerox copy of their entire volume)
Univ Virginia Charlottesville - complete
1856 (Vol. 3) - PBL - (Jan 1 digital), Jan 15, Feb 1,15, Mar 1,15, Apr 1,15, May 1,15, Jun 1,15, Jul 1,15, Aug 1,15, Sep 1,15, Oct, 1,15, Nov 1,15, Dec 1,15 (complete)
Duke - complete
Univ Virginia Charlottesville - complete
1857 (Vol. 4) - PBL - Complete (bound)
1858 (Vol. 5) - PBL - Complete (bound) (two copies)
1859 (Vol. 6) - PBL (orig.) - Jan 1,15, Feb 5, Apr 15, May 21, Dec 15
PBL (film) - complete
1860 (Vol. 7) - PBL (film) - #1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22 (#1 and #2 are mutilated; missing #5, 9, 18, 23, 24)
Duke - complete (we made a xerox copy of their entire volume)
Univ Virginia Charlottesville - complete
1861 (Vol. 8) - PBL (orig) - Jul 6 (#13),
PBL (film) - 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 (missing 2, 5, 9 and 11-24)
Duke - complete (we made a xerox copy of their volume, Nos. 1-10)
Univ Virginia Charlottesville - 1-17, 19-23.
University of Western Ontario is supposed to have Vols. 7 and 8.
1862 (Vol. 9) - Univ Virginia Charlottesville - complete except #1
1863 (Vol. 10) - Univ Virginia Charlottesville - complete except #7 and #24 

If Elder Webb's library has had old copies of the periodical under the editorship of Clark, why has he not made this more easily available to the PBs of today? Why have other PBs not wanted to reprint articles from that time period? Could it be because it reveals things about their beliefs of the time that are contrary to today's PBs? Recall that I cited early in my book on "The Hardshell Baptist Cult" from the history of the Mississippi Baptists by Hardshell Griffin (1850s) in which he stated that he wished that he could "hide in oblivion" historical evidence that the Missionaries were the real original Baptists. He could not hide it, however, and so published it.

There are many things in Hardshell history that their leaders would like to "sweep under the rug."