IN AMERICA A POPULAR HISTORY OF THEIR ORIGIN, BELIEF, BY REV. ALBERT E. DUNNING, D. D. SPECIAL CHAPTERS BY REV. JOSEPH E. Roy, D. D., on CONGREGATIONAL WORK AND PROGRESS IN THE AND REV. ALONZO H. QUINT, D. D., ON ECCLESIASTICAL COUNCILS INTRODUCTIONS BY REV. RICHARD S. STORRS, D. D., LL. D. AND MAJOR-GENERAL OLIVER O. HOWARD, LL. D. NEW YORK J. A. HILL & CO., PUBLISHERS 44 EAST 14TH STREET HARVARD COPYRIGHT, 1894, BY J. A. HILL. & COMPANY. All rights reserved. THE MERSHON COMPANY PRESS, PREFACE. THIS book is an attempt to tell the story of the rise of modern Congregationalism and its growth in America. It is prepared for busy pastors, Sunday-school teachers, Bible classes, Christian Endeavor societies and all others who wish to know what the Congregational denomination stands for, what it has done in this country, what it is fitted to do, and how it is related to the kingdom of God. The chief difficulty in writing this book has been to condense into required limits the great amount of material which belongs in such a history, and at the same time to preserve a popular narrative form. Many important events and movements have been described only in the briefest outlines, which would have accumulated interest in proportion to the space given to them. Many things which must seem to many readers worthy of a place in this volume have of necessity been omitted. I have endeavored to make a continuous story of the Congregationalism of three hundred years, and my rule of selection has been to include the things which seem most essential to the continuity of the history. I have not allowed myself to take the space or to burden the pages with references in detail to authorities, though the temptation to do so was great. But I have not aimed to discuss controverted questions with students. The majority of readers have not at hand the authorities which might have been cited, nor do they usually take the pains to search for them; and this book is intended for popular use. I have, however, taken care to verify these statements, and in doubtful matters to compare authorities and to consult where possible the best informed living witnesses. Nearly the entire volume has been read to and reviewed by Rev. Dr. A. H. Quint, who has, I believe, as thoroughly studied the history and working of Congregationalism as anyone now living. I should not have undertaken this work had he not felt compelled, after some months of consideration, to decline to do it, nor should I then have ventured on it but for the assurance of his co-operation. I am under great obligation to him for his valuable suggestions, and for his guidance to the best sources of information. I am glad also to express my obligations to many others whom I cannot name for lack of space, especially to presidents of colleges and secretaries of our benevolent societies. I cannot hope to have avoided all mistakes; but I shall be grateful to any who may call my attention to such errors as remain, that they may be corrected should a future edition be called for. The question of illustrations, especially of portraits, has been a perplexing one. It is unfortunate that no pictures are to be found of some of the greatest heroes of the early history of Congregationalism. Who would not rejoice to look on the face of John Robinson, of Thomas Hooker, or of John Eliot? But they have left behind them no trace of lineaments or figure. A long list of worthies would seem to be entitled to place in the portrait gallery of this volume. But in the limitations which were found necessary, I have chosen those who have been conspicuous as pioneers in the advancing march of Congregationalism; and I have not felt at liberty to insert the portraits of any who are still living. The special chapters have been written by men who will be recognized as authorities on the topics which have been assigned to them. Dr. Roy has been an important part of the history of the Northwest and of the South for more than thirty |