IT was not the author's purpose, in the beginning, to write a history of Baptists. He had conceived the idea, many years ago, of preparing a chart of Church History which would give a bird's eye view of Baptist History, with its relations to the Catholic hierarchy, and the branches of the Romish church. In order to do this it became necessary to compile a great deal of historical matter, and group this into the centuries in which it respectively belonged.

      As the chart grew, century by century, the historical matter accumulated correspondingly. When the chart was completed a sufficient amount of historical facts had been collected, from various sources, to make a large book. The demand for the chart has, in like manner, created a demand for a book embracing the facts, as no one book, nor any dozen books contained them, as illustrated in the chart. Hence this work, abridged as much as possible, is given to the public.

      If the abrupt transitions grate harshly upon the cultivated ear, it must be remembered that the work has been condensed as much as possible in order to give the full text of the authors quoted, that the work may be used as a book of reference, to take the place of many volumes to which the ordinary reader has not ususal access.

      The work has been prepared for the use of the masses, who have neither the time to read, nor the means to purchase numerous books upon church history. To meet the demands of this large class of persons repetitions sometimes occur, that the truths may be firmly fixed in their minds, and that they may, with the book, be able to meet and vanquish the adversaries of truth. The author hopes that the more scholarly will waive this apparent defect, for the benefit of the larger number of readers.

      Praying that this work may be used for the glory of God, and the advancement of his truth, the book is sent forth upon its mission
          J. A. S.
     November, 1891.

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