Ecclesiology

THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY

840137

ABTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. 1906

COPYRIGHT 1897, 1905,

By EDWIN C. DARGAN.

PREFACE.
L

The first edition of this work appeared in 1897. It was prepared primarily as a text-book for the author's own use with his class in Ecclesiology, and has been so used continuously since then. Constant employment in the class room, as well as the valued criticism of friends, has pointed out many minor errors both in statement and style. The first edition was prepared hastily (by dictation to a stenographer) from the author's lecture notes, and it bore the marks of that method of composition.

The present edition has been most carefully revised, in fact almost rewritten; and while the author has not seen reason to alter his opinions on any essential points, there has been some modification of language here and there in the interest of clearer statement and more careful expression. A few chapters have been added, a few omitted, all has been condensed; so that the bulk of the present edition is not so great as that of the former.

In its improved form the author again submits his work to the judgment of his brethren, and to the use of his students, in the hope that it may prove useful to the cause of truth, and serve the best interests of the Kingdom of God.

The two following paragraphs are quoted from the preface to the first edition:

"The bibliography at the end of the book will show

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the principal sources from which help has been derived. Originality in this field is impossible, and any claim to it must be absurd. I have studied many books and parts of books in preparing these chapters, but I have honestly tried to form my own opinions, and to express them in my own way. Where I have consciously and directly borrowed either thought or language, I have made acknowledgment in the text or notes; but it may easily be that, here and there, either from inadvertence or lapse of memory, I have failed to do so."

"It is my earnest hope and prayer that the book may do good. While necessarily controversial, it carries no ill-will toward those who do not hold the Baptist faith; and members of other denominations, who may chance to read it are respectfully invited to give candid consideration to this restatement of views commonly held among Baptists. To my Baptist brethren I trust the book may be of some service in promoting the great work of the churches of our own faith and order."

LOUISVILLE, KY., Sept., 1905.

E. C. D.