Why Integrity?

Students in their fourth year of the Bachelor of Divinity degree at Moore Theological College have the opportunity to research and write a 5 000 word essay in Church History on some aspect of evangelicalism in Australia or Britain (post-1600). The excellent quality of some of these essays has encouraged the Church History Department to seek a way to share the fruits of the research and writing of these students with a broader audience. This is the reason for the launch of this new journal Integrity.

The journal seeks not only to provide access to some of these quality essays, and thus commend the work of the contributors, but also to acknowledge that undergraduate research and writing can make a valuable contribution to the field. It is hoped the journal will stimulate current and future students to continue with research after they leave the College. Readers should keep in mind that these are undergraduate essays, often written by students who have not been extensively schooled in historical research methods. Nevertheless, the editors believe that the essays selected for each issue will display scholarship and perception that will benefit those who read them.

Note about the Title

The journal title Integrity was chosen by the editors because of the term’s association with Thomas Moore, whose bequest of his estate was the means for the establishment of Moore College in 1856. Thomas Moore was a successful businessman, ship builder, Government official, the owner of significant agricultural land and a generous Protestant layman in colonial Sydney. In 1804 he began building a boat, a schooner, at Sydney Cove. He named the vessel Integrity. Governor King sailed to the Sydney Heads on Integrity’s maiden voyage in February 1805 and reported that ‘both in salt sailing, working, and her appearance under way, this handsome vessel answers every expectation’.[1] It is hoped that the journal is the means of displaying similar excellence in student writing.


[1] Recounted in Peter G. Bolt’s book, A Portrait in his Actions: Thomas Moore of Liverpool (1762-1840) (Camperdown, N.S.W.: Bolt Publishing, 2010), p. 216.

 

ISSN: 2202-9966