Outlines of ecclesiastical history

Front matter

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Preface

A few years since, the Author of the following Compend published a small History of the United States, designed for Schools, on a new plan. The general approbation expressed in relation to that work, has induced him to apply the plan to an Ecclesiastical History, designed for a similar use. The result of this application is herewith presented to the public.

The Author is not sanguine, however, that the work will meet the expectations of his friends, who have been apprized of its intended publication, and who have kindly encouraged him to go on. Much less probably can he justly anticipate the approbation of the public at large. Ecclesiastical History is a peculiar subject. It presents a field of great extent, and difficult to be reviewed within the proper compass of a school book. An outline, therefore, only could be attempted ; but even this has swelled the work beyond the original intention, and in some instances, it is feared, that the chain of events is not preserved as entire as would be desirable.

But a source of still greater anxiety remains yet to be mentioned. The people of the United States are divided, as are the people of all Protestant countries, into a variety of religious denominations. It is not surprising that jealousies to some extent should exist among these denominations ; and that an Ecclesiastical History which affects to speak of them, should meet with a jealous scrutiny. This scrutiny may well be expected in relation to such a History, designed for the Schools of the country. In these Schools the children of the several denominations meet promiscuously. A work on a religious subject intended for general use, should therefore be written in view of this important fact.

This fact the Author has endeavoured to keep in view, while preparing the following sheets. He has aimed to treat every religious denomination with candor. He has nGt considered it his province to enter into the discussion of controverted points ; nor to give his individual opinion on which side the truth lies. He has endeavoured to confine himself to facts, and to facts of importance. He wishes it, therefore, to be distinctly understood, that he has aimed to treat every denomination with a Christian spirit ; and if in the following pages, there be any departure from this, it has not been designed.

The Author begs leave, not with a view of provoking the spirit of criticism, to invite the attention of the friends of education to the following work. Suggestions with reference to errors which may be found, or to any improvements which may be made in the work, will be thankfully received.

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By some, the Author doubts not, the work will appear not sufficiently minute and extended. A still larger class, it is apprehended, will entertain the opposite opinion. To both these classes the Author would reply — that he has followed the course, which his judgment at the time dictated. How far retrenchment or enlargement may be deemed advisable, will be determined by the opinion of teachers, who may find occasion to use the work.

The questions have been intentionally rendered numerous and minute ; it having been found by experience, that books designed for youthful minds, have, in this respect, generally been deficient.

The Author has only further to express his devout wishes that the work may prove subservient to the intellectual and moral improvement of the rising generation, and may aid in some humble degree in strengthening that kingdom, a part of whose history it records ; and which, whatever may be its partial and temporary misfortunes, is destined to spread over the world, and to continue longer than ths sun and the moon shall endure.

Berlin, July, 1829.