An account of the most important and interesting religious events, which have transpired from the commencement of the Christian era to the present time

Front matter

^S^l descending from Heaven -holds in her right hand, the crown of Immortality; in Jur left, the A r eir Testament .—Asia is represented prostrate; Europe in a balding posture; -Africa hy a figure kneeling,- and America hy em 'Indian with the Calumet, or pipe of peace- The broken chains Ac. represent the effects of Christianity in the destruction, of Slavery caul Idolatry. Tlie dark sky in the back ground, shows the state of the world w/ien Christianity first appeared. A few twmlding stars show that a measure of light sinned in the darkest pcriorl of dine.

AN ACCOUNT

OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AND INTERESTING?

Preface

cs The course of. Religious Events embraces a more interesting history than all the secular achievements of man, since the Christian era commenced ; and it is believed the cases are rare, where even those who are professedly interested in Religious History are sufficiently acquainted with its various and highly interesting details." The reason for this has been, in many instances, that works on Religious History have generally been voluminous and expensive. To remedy this defect, in some measure, has been one object of this work. It is, it will be perceived, arranged upon a new plan ; the account of each event, or fact, is in some respects insulated ; not being necessarily connected with any other. The object of the compiler vras to gire Lbe reader a comprehensive view of each subject introduced. He has generally confined himself to the bare relation of facts as he found them, leaving his readers to draw their own inferences and conclusions. A short biographical sketch is given of persons distinguished in Religious History ; and a chronological table of Religious Events is added : these, with the other part of the work, it is believed, will be found valuable as a book of reference, for facts which have been recorded in Church History.

" No apology is necessary for the free use which has been made of the labours of others, for the plan of this book is so essentially different from that of any which has preceded it, that the author has not encroached upon the objects which others have had Hi

IV

in view. He has had no hesitation in using their very language, whenever it suited him. Compilers seem to be licensed pillagers. Like the youth of Sparta, they may lay their hands upon plunder without a crime, if they will but seize it with adroitness."* The numerous engravings interspersed through the book, it is thought, will be of utility in making the work interesting, and assist in preserving in the mind the events which they represent. J. W* B.

New Haven, 1834.

* Preface to Allen's American Biographical Dictionary.