Pioneer sermons and addresses

Preface

Some months ago I had occasion to write to about twenty-five of our representative brethren, embracing educators, preachers, and the common people, asking for information about matters relating to the earlywork of the pioneers. To my surprise, not more than six of the twenty-five appealed to acknowledged any familiarity with the early writings; in fact, not much knowledge of their early works as individuals. This discovery convinced me that something was needed. It occurred to me that a collection of sermons gathered through a period of fifty years would prove not only helpful to the present and future generations, but would familiarize our brethren, present and future, with the character of the sermons and addresses uttered or written by some of the pioneers of the faith. To this end I scanned the writings of the pioneers and collected the twelve sermons and addresses which make up this present collection. The ones included in this volume are only a few writings from a few of the early writers. It would require many volumes like this one to contain the valuable sermons that can still be collected from these pioneer works.

It has been the aim of the compilers of this volume

4 PREFACE.

to have the subjects of a diversified character, so that not only first principles would be treated but also sermons given on Christian growth and character.

We consider the "Declaration and Address," by Thomas Campbell, to be a most valuable historical document. In connection with that address we also call special attention to one by Barton W. Stone, which antedates the Campbell address by five years, clearly proving that the reform work that is generally spoken of as the "Reformation of the Nineteenth Century," had its inception in the mind and conduct of Barton W. Stone and his followers.

Table Of Contents

Last Will and Testament of Springfield Presbytery (1804). By Barton W. Stone 7

Declaration and Address (1809). By Thomas

Campbell 14