01. Preface
PREFACE
There is one history, which, though it contains the darkest tragedy, yet by common consent is called "The Good News", "The Glad Tidings", or by a name which it has captured and made its own: "The Gospel". Its four historians are uniquely known as "The Four Evangelists", or tellers forth of the Good News. This history tells how, by a miraculous birth, God entered into a relationship to man which even creation had not established, and by a sacrificial death and mighty resurrection vanquished death, put away sin its cause, and to His glory as Creator added that of Redeemer. The foundations of this history, the preparation for it, indeed the actual foretelling of it and evidences of its truth precede it in the Scriptures of the Old Testament. Interwoven with these, inseparable from them, is the History of Israel, which is therefore itself one of universal value. The History of the Church or company of those who by faith have received Christ and become His followers, is still in the making, not yet complete. On this account and because of its immense extent, although it is of supreme importance, parts only of it can be written and from time to time. First one, then another, must relate what he has seen or has learned from trustworthy records, and this must be taken up and added to as stage after stage of the long pilgrimage is traversed. The following pages are a contribution to the unfolding story. Much that others have searched out and related has been made use of, repeated, woven in, so that this book is a compilation, to which is added the writer’s individual share in the growing narrative. It is hoped and expected that the frequent quotations from and references to the works of several authors will lead the readers of this volume to turn to the books from which so much has been derived, and thus come to share more fully in the fruits of the patient labours and able expositions of their authors. An attempt is made in this book to introduce those who have not much time for reading or research, into some of the experiences of certain churches of God which, at different times and in various places, have endeavoured in their meetings, order, and testimony to make the Scriptures their guide and to act upon them as the Word of God, counting them as sufficient for all their needs in all their circumstances.
There have always been such churches; the records of most have disappeared, but what remain are of such volume that only a selection can be given.
General history is left out of account, except where the course of some of these churches requires reference to current events. Neither is any account given of what is usually understood by "ecclesiastical" history, except in its relation to the churches or congregations of believers carrying out the teachings of Scripture, which are the subject of this narrative.
Some spiritual movements are considered which only partially accepted the principle of taking the Scriptures as sufficient guide, because in their measure these too throw valuable light on the possibility of such a course. In addition to the works mentioned below, and others also, advantage has been taken of the help so richly provided and placed within the reach of most by such works as the "Encyclopaedia Britannica" and Hastings’ "Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics". A beginner may look up the subject in one of these standard works of reference, where he will be directed to some of the literature considered as authoritative. In reading a selection of this he will be referred to the original authorities and also (as these are not always available) to their most trustworthy expositors. In the present volume the books used and referred to are mostly well known and accessible; sometimes a popular work has been chosen in preference to one more erudite, so that anyone interested may get fuller information more easily. Where books written in languages other than English are made use of, translations are referred to if they are to be had, but sometimes there are none, and then the original works are named for the benefit of those who can read them. In the beginning of the History, "The Ante-Nicene Christian Library" provides a store of information from which much has been drawn. When the time of Marcion is reached, "Marcion Das Evangelium vom Fremden Gott" by Ad. v. Harnack is used, and for matters connected with the Roman Empire, "East and West Through Fifteen Centuries" by Br.-Genl. G. F. Young C. B. For Augustine "A Select Library of the Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church" translated and annotated by J. C. Pilkington, M. A. edited by Philip Schaff, is a guide. "Latin Christianity" by Dean Milman, helps in several periods. We are indebted to Georg Schepss for the true history of Priscillian and his teaching. His book, "Priscillian ein Neuaufgefundener Lat. Schriftsteller des 4 Jahrhunderts" describes his discovery in the Würzburg University, in 1886, of the important MS. of the Spanish Reformer. This MS. is examined and explained by Friedrich Paret in his "Priscillianus Ein Reformator des Vierten Jahrhunderts Eine Kirchengeschichtliche Studie zugleich ein Kommentar zu den Erhaltenen Schriften Priscillians", and much has been drawn from this valuable commentary. Important information as to those called Paulicians is given in "Die Paulikianer im Byzantischen Kaiserreiche etc." by Karapet Ter-Mkrttschian, Archdeacon of Edschmiatzin, the centre of the Armenian Church. An invaluable book for the period is "The Key of Truth A Manual of the Paulician Church of Armenia" translated and edited by F. C. Conybeare. The document was discovered by the translator in 1891 in the library of the Holy Synod at Edjmiatzin; his notes and comments are of the utmost interest and value. The discovery of the "Key of Truth" raises the hope that other documents illustrating the faith and teaching of the brethren may yet be found. The history of the Bogomils in the Balkan Peninsula is largely drawn from "An Official Tour Through Bosnia and Herzegovina" by J. de Asboth, Member of the Hungarian Parliament, and from "Through Bosnia and the Herzegovina on Foot etc." by A. J. Evans, the distinguished traveller and antiquarian, later Sir Arthur Evans. "Essays on the Latin Orient" by William Miller, has also been made use of. The chapter on the Eastern Churches, especially the Nestorian, owes very much to "Le Christianisme dans l’Empire Perse sous la Dynastie Sassanide" by J. Labourt; to "The Syrian Churches" by J. W. Etheridge; and to "Early Christianity Outside the Roman Empire" by F. C. Burkitt M. A. The account of the Synod of Seleucia is taken chiefly from "Das Buch des Synhados" by Oscar Braun, while "Nestorius and his Teachings" by J. Bethune-Baker, has supplied most of what is given about Nestorius, and "The Bazaar of Heraclides of Damascus" by the same author, has especially been quoted; these give a vivid picture of Nestorius and should be read in full if possible. For the description of the spread of the Nestorians into China, "Cathay and the Way Thither" by Col. Sir Henry Yule, published by the Hakluyt Society, is of great interest and has been freely drawn upon.
Coming to the times of the Waldenses and Albigenses, "The Ancient Vallenses and Albigenses" by G. S. Faber, and "Facts and Documents illustrative of the History Doctrine and Rites of the Ancient Albigenses and Waldenses" by S. R. Maitland, have been referred to very fully. Perhaps the largest use has been made of the works of Dr. Ludwig Keller, especially for the history and teaching of the Waldenses. His position as Keeper of State Archives, giving access as it does to most important documents, has been used by him to investigate the histories of those known as "heretics", and his publications are an invaluable contribution to the understanding of these much misunderstood people. Dr. Keller’s book, "Die Reformation und die älteren Reformparteien" is a mine of information and all who can do so should read it. Use has also been made of his book "Ein Apostel der Wiedertäufer" and of a number of others written or issued by him. Of the time of the Reformation, the "Life and Letters of Erasmus" by J. A. Froude, gives a vivid picture, and "A Short History of the English People" by John Richard Green, is a constant help by giving in an interesting and reliable way the historical setting of the particular events related. "England in the Age of Wycliffe" by George Macaulay Trevelyan has been used, and much has been taken from "John Wycliffe and his English Precursors" by Lechher (translated). "The Dawn of the Reformation the Age of Hus" by H. B. Workman, has been used; his references to authorities are valuable. Considerable quotations have been made from Cheltschizki’s "Das Netz des Glaubens" translated from Old Czech into German by Karl Vogel. The description of the Moravian Church is based to a large extent on the "History of the Moravian Church" by J. E. Hutton, issued by the Moravian Publication Office, while for Comenius "Das Testament der Sterbenden Mutter" and "Stimme der Trauer", both translations into German from Bohemian, the former by Dora Peřina, the latter by Franz Slaměnik, are quoted. One of the books most used is the very valuable one, "A History of the Reformation" by Thos. M. Lindsay. "Die Taufe. Gedanken über die urchristliche Taufe, ihre Geschichte und ihre Bedeutung für die Gegenwart" by J. Warns, is of great value, especially for the history of the Anabaptists, and its many references to authorities are useful. The important and deeply interesting records of the Anabaptists in Austria are taken from "Fontes Rerum Austriacarum" and other publications by Dr. J. Beck and Joh. Loserth, which are referred to in more detail in the footnotes to the pages where this part of the history is related. The history of the Mennonites in Russia is chiefly found in "Geschichte der Alt-Evangelischen Mennoniten Brüderschaft in Russland" by P. M. Friesen, who was appointed by the "Mennoniten-Brüdergemeinde" as their historian, and supplied by them with the documentary evidence they possessed; use is also made of "Fundamente der Christlichen Lehre u.s.w." by Joh. Deknatel. Of the book by Pilgram Marbeck, "Vermanung etc.", summarized, only two copies are known to exist, one of which is in the British Museum. Very considerable use has been made of the valuable book by Karl Ecke, "Schwenckfeld, Luther und der Gedanke einer Apostolischen Reformation". The chapter on events in France is indebted to the "History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century" by J. H. Merle D’ Aubigné, translated by H. White and for Farel, to the "Life of William Farel" by Frances Bevan, one of several interesting works of similar character by the same authoress. Another work by Merle D’ Aubigné here made much use of is "The Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin", "The Huguenots, their Settlements Churches and Industries in England and Ireland" by Samuel Smiles, gives much of value about the Huguenots. "Un Martyr du Désert Jacques Roger" by Daniel Benoit, tells of the "Churches of the Desert" after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes.
Returning to England, the "Memoir of William Tyndale" by George Offor, is quoted and otherwise referred to. The book most used in the account of the Nonconformists in England is "A History of the Free Churches of England" by Herbert S. Skeats, which would well repay reading; and "A Popular History of the Free Churches" by C. Silvester Horne, gives an interesting account of these churches. The "Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity" of Richard Hooker, is referred to. The "Journal of George Fox" supplies the best information as to his life. Three books which give excellent histories of the spiritual movements in Germany and surrounding countries after the Reformation have been largely made use of: "Geschichte des Christlichen Lebens in der rheinisch-westphälischen Kirche" by Max Goebel; "Geschichte des Pietismus und der Mystik in der Reformirten Kirche u.s.w." by Heinr. Heppe; and "Geschichte des Pietismus in der reformirten Kirche" by Albrecht Ritschl. "John Wesley’s Journal" is the best source for an account of his life. "The Life of William Carey Shoemaker and Missionary" by George Smith, supplies most of what is told here of him. The account of the brother Haldane is taken chiefly from the "Lives of Robert and James Haldane" by Alexander Haldane. For Russia and the Stundists, in addition to the "Geschichte etc.," of P. M. Friesen, a useful book is "Russland und das Evangelium" by J. Warns. In the history of the rise of the German Baptists use is made of "Johann Gerhard Oncken, His Life and Work" by John Hunt Cook. For later movements in England etc., some MSS. have been available, and "A History of the Plymouth Brethren" by W. Blair Neatby, has been consulted. Extensive extracts have been made from the "Memoir of the late Anthony Norris Groves, containing Extracts from his Letters and Journals" compiled by his widow, illustrating the important part the teaching and example of Groves played in the history of churches of the New Testament type. "A Narrative of some of the Lord’s Dealings with George Müller" has been used as the best account of Müller’s influential testimony; and details of the life of R. C. Chapman have been taken from "Robert Cleaver Chapman of Barnstaple" by W. H. Bennet, his personal friend. "Collected Writings of J. N. Darby" edited by William Kelly, is used to show Darby’s teaching. "Nazarenes in Jugoslavia" published in the United States by the "Nazarenes", and various pamphlets, give information as to the movement connected with the people bearing this name. The tragedy and glory of "The Pilgrim Church" can only be faintly indicated as yet, nor can they be fully known until the time comes when the Word of the Lord is fulfilled: "there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known" (Mat 10:26). At present, albeit through mists of our ignorance and misunderstanding, we see her warring against the powers of darkness, witnessing for her Lord in the world, suffering as she follows in His footsteps. Her people are ever pilgrims, establishing no earthly institution, because having in view the heavenly city. In their likeness to their Master they might be called Stones which the Builders Rejected (Luk 20:17), and they are sustained in the confident hope that, when His kingdom is revealed, they will be sharers in it with Him.
List of Some of the Books OF WHICH USE HAS BEEN MADE. OTHERS NOT INCLUDED HERE ARE REFERRED TO IN THE FOOTNOTES.
"The Ante-Nicene Christian Library"
"Marcion. Das Evangelium vom Fremden Gott" Ad. v. Harnack.
"East and West Through Fifteen Centuries" Br. -Genl. G. F. Young C. B.
"A Select Library of the Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church" translated and annotated by J. C. Pilkington, M. A. edited by Philip Schaff.
"Latin Christianity" Dean Milman.
"Priscillian ein Neuaufgefundener Lat. Schriftsteller des 4 Jahrhunderts" Georg Schepss, who discovered the MS. in Würzburg University, 1886.
"Priscillianus Ein Reformator des Vierten Jahrhunderts" Friedrich Paret.
"Die Paulikianer im Byzantischen Kaiserreiche etc." Karapet Ter-Mkrttschian, Archdeacon of Edschmiatzin.
"The Key of Truth A Manual of the Paulician Church of Armenia" translated and edited by F. C. Conybeare. Document found by the translator in 1891 in the library of the Holy Synod at Edjmiatzin.
"An Official Tour Through Bosnia and Herzegovina" J. de Asboth, Member of the Hungarian Parliament.
"Through Bosnia and the Herzegovina on Foot etc." A. J. Evans.
"Essays on the Latin Orient" William Miller.
"Le Christianisme dans l’Empire Perse sous la Dynastie Sassanide" (224-632). J. Labourt.
"The Syrian Churches" J. W. Etheridge.
"Early Christianity Outside the Roman Empire" F. C. Burkitt M. A "Das Buch des Synhados" Oscar Braun.
"Nestorius and his Teachings" J. Bethune-Baker.
"The Bazaar of Heraclides of Damascus" J. Bethune-Baker.
"Cathay and the Way Thither" Col. Sir Henry Yule, Hakluyt Society.
"Nestorian Missionary Enterprise. The Story of a Church on Fire" Rev John Stewart M. A., Ph.D. T. & T. Clark Edinburgh.
"The Ancient Vallenses and Albigenses" G. S. Faber.
"Facts and Documents illustrative of the History Doctrine and Rites of the Ancient Albigenses and Waldenses" S. R. Maitland "Die Reformation und die älteren Reformparteien" Dr. Ludwig Keller K. Staatsarchivar.
"Life and Letters of Erasmus" J. A. Froude.
"A Short History of the English People" John Richard Green.
"England in the Age of Wycliffe" George Macaulay Trevelyan.
"John Wycliffe and his English Precursors" Lechher. translated by Lorimer.
"The Dawn of the Reformation the Age of Hus" H. B. Workman M. A.
"Das Netz des Glaubens" Peter Cheltschizki. translated from Old Czech to German by Dr. Karl Vogel.
"History of the Moravian Church" J. E. Hutton.
"Das Testament der Sterbenden Mutter" J. A. Comenius. trans. into German by Dora Peřina.
"Stimme der Trauer" J. A. Comenius. trans. into German by Franz Slaměnik "Unum Necessarium" J. A. Comenius.
"A History of the Reformation" Thos. M. Lindsay.
"Die Taufe. Gedanken über die urchristliche Taufe, ihre Geschichte und ihre Bedeutung für die Gegenwart" J. Warns.
"Ein Apostel der Wiedertäufer" Dr. Ludwig Keller. Vorträge und Aufsätze aus der Comenius Gesellschaft 7ter Jahrgang 1 u. 2 Stück.
"Georg Blaurock und die Anfänge des Anabaptismus in Graubündten und Tirol" Aus dem Nachlasse des Hofrates Dr. Joseph R. von Beck. Herausgegeben von Joh. Loserth.
"Fontes Rerum Austriacarum" Oesterreichische Geschichts-Quellen. Abth. 2 Bd. 43.
"Die Geschichts-Bücher der Wiedertäufer in Oesterreich-Ungarn u.s.w. in der Zeit von 1526 bis 1785" Gesammelt, Erlăutert und Ergänzt durch Dr. Josef Beck. Archiv für Oesterreichische Geschichte. 78 Band.
"Der Anabaptismus in Tirol u.s.w." Aus dem Nachlasse des Hofrates Joseph R. von Beck. Herausgegben von Joh. Loserth.
"Geschichte der Wiedertäufer und ihres Reichs zu Münster" Dr. Ludwig Keller.
"Geschichte der Alt-Evangelischen Mennoniten Brüderschaft in Russland" P. M. Friesen.
"Fundamente der Christlichen Lehre u.s.w." Joh. Deknatel.
"Vermanung u.s.w." Pilgram Marbeck.
"Schwenckfeld, Luther und der Gedanke einer Apostolischen Reformation" Karl Ecke.
"History of the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century" by J. H. Merle D’ Aubigné D.D. translated by H. White B.A.
"Life of William Farel" Frances Bevan.
"The Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin" J. H. Merle D’ Aubigné D.D.
"The Huguenots, their Settlements Churches and Industries in England and Ireland" Samuel Smiles.
"Un Martyr du Désert Jacques Roger" Daniel Benoit "Memoir of William Tyndale" George Offor.
"A History of the Free Churches of England" Herbert S. Skeats.
"A Popular History of the Free Churches" C. Silvester Horne.
"Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity" Richard Hooker.
"Journal of George Fox"
"Geschichte des Christlichen Lebens in der rheinisch-westphälischen Kirche" Max Goebel "Geschichte des Pietismus und der Mystik in der Reformirten Kirche u.s.w." Heinr. Heppe.
"Geschichte des Pietismus in der reformirten Kirche" Albrecht Ritschl.
"John Wesley’s Journal"
"The Life of William Carey Shoemaker and Missionary" George Smith.
"Lives of Robert and James Haldane" Alexander Haldane.
"Russland und das Evangelium" J. Warns.
"Johann Gerhard Oncken, His Life and Work" John Hunt Cook.
"Memoirs of Alexander Campbell" Richardson. The Standard Press, Cincinnati, Ohio.
"Autobiography of B. W. Stone" The Standard Press, Cincinnati, Ohio. MSS. Ed. Cronin, J. G. Bellett, etc.
"A History of the Plymouth Brethren" W. Blair Neatby.
"Memoir of the late Anthony Norris Groves, containing Extracts from his Letters and Journals" Compiled by his Widow.
"A Narrative of some of the Lord’s Dealings with George Müller"
"Robert Cleaver Chapman of Barnstaple" W. H. Bennet.
"Collected Writings of J. N. Darby" Edited by William Kelly. Ecclesiastical Vol. 1.
"Nazarenes in Jugoslavia" Apostolic Christian Publishing Co. Syracuse N.Y., U.S.A.
"Einzeine Briefe und Betrachtungen aus dem Nachlasse von S. H. Fröhlich"