A Short History of the Christian Church

church, but who have not time for the larger works which sometimes run through several volumes. It is hoped that this volume is sufficiently short, simple, and free from technicalities to meet this want.

For the benefit of students, carefully selected bibliographies have been prefixed to the different periods and sections. An especial effort has been made to make these bibliographies representative. The author has been extremely anxious to betray no bias. But if, here and there, he can be convicted of prejudice or unfairness he trusts that by means of the sources cited the truth may be found. Where books have been translated from foreign languages the English titles have always been given. It has also seemed best to add a few of the standard French and German works, because knowledge of these languages is increasing so rapidly that few classes of any size are likely to be found in which there are not some members who use these languages with considerable facility.

Continual references are made to translations from original sources, and in every possible way students should be encouraged to make the fullest use of these translations, because the time is not far off when no one who has not handled the original sources with more or less of independence can be said to have studied history. Books like this must be more and more looked upon simply as introductions, and their statements must all be tested by the facts.

This bibliography lays no claims to completeness, and many readers will no doubt be disappointed to find important omissions. But the student who follows out its suggestions will soon find himself in the way of complete information.

The second class of readers will pay no attention to the bibliographies, but begin with the definition of Church History on page 24. Yet it would not be surprising if they also should want to read much further than this book takes them. From numerous letters received from women's literary clubs, the author is led to believe that the book with its references will be found useful to these societies.

Another feature of the work is its view of the relations of church and secular history. So important has this appeared that all the way through the great movements of secular history have been kept steadily in view, and it is shown that neither side can be understood without considerable knowledge of the other. The minister who will command the respect of his community in the future will be a man of large and intelligent views on a great variety of subjects. He will, of course, be a specialist, but he will at the same time be a generalist.

This book has been written with the idea that every good thing in the world belongs to God and His people, and that it should be utilized; that every good man, whatever his position in life, has something useful for every other good man; that the distinction between sacred and secular, higher classes and lower classes, is becoming more and more obscure; and that what is now needed is the realization of the truly Christian idea of the solidarity of all the redeemed in the society called the Kingdom of God.

All through the preparation of the book, the maxim: Dolus latet in generalibus has never been absent from the author's mind. And notwithstanding the valuable helps all the way he cannot hope that he has avoided mistakes-possibly some serious ones He will

esteem it a great favor if scholars who honor the little volume by reading it will send him their criticisms and corrections.

If, in some small way, the book shall contribute to the new awakening that is evidently taking place in the great subject of Church History the author will be more than gratified.

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