THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION: ITS History, Doctrines, and Ordinances; ITS POLITY, PERSECUTIONS, AND MARTYRS; FACTS AND STATIS- BY D. C. HAYNES. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY JOHN DOWLING, D.D. "And be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the "Prove all things: hold fast that which is good."-1 THESS. v. 21. NEW YORK: SHELDON, BLAKEMAN & CO. BOSTON: HEATH & GRAVES Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by SHELDON, BLAKEMAN & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York. PHILADELPHIA: STEREOTYPED BY GEORGE CHARLES, 943 PREFACE. THE object of this book is to furnish for the people generally, the information necessary to a correct judgment of the Church of Christ. It is an effort to bring to the masses, what belongs to them as much as to scholars, to whom it has, to a great extent, been confined. With this view, the author has labored to press into one small volume, matter found in no one work, small or large; and, as far as it has been published, is scattered over several volumes, pamphlets, and papers. The different topics are, of course, treated with great brevity; but it is hoped sufficiently at length to secure the above-named object. It is believed that numerous church members even, have but very imperfect information on a subject of vital interest to them. Such a state of things is incompatible with their happiness and usefulness. We live at a time, when all the disciples of Christ should be eminent in their Christian profession. While we are particularly desirous to reach church members generally, it is hoped our effort will not prove unacceptable to pastors and deacons, who will find here what they need to enable them to act promptly and intelligently in ordinary church matters. It is hoped, also, it will be found a convenient medium of information for those who are inquiring for the truth, anxious to know where among numerous denominations it lies. The author has seen the time |