Excerpt from Congregational History: 1850 1880 The details connected with these successive movements are given in the following pages In their natural order, and in every variety Of form. Congregational leaders have ever been character ized by their public Spirit - alive to the honour, security, and progress Of the nation and the general welfare of humanity. The hereditary and unbought witnesses for civil and religious freedom, they are expected to take their place in the front of every contest for right from the force Of deep conviction. Their history, in consequence, touches, more or less, on every public movement. We have had, therefore, to take cognisance, during the last thirty years, of the gold discovery in Australia, the mutiny in India, the civil war in America, the geographical explora tions in Africa, and Of various incidents affecting the court and the people. We have given special attention to the wonderful course of Dr. Livingstone. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Congregational History: 1850 1880 The last volume of "Congregational History" (continuation to 1850) left the story respecting the character, labours, and testimony of several of the eminent leaders who have recently passed away, incomplete. More is due in justice to their memory. The institutions formed by them have been fairly tested, and we now reap the fruit of their anxious thought and of their self-denying toil - we enter into their labours. To understand clearly the extent of our obligation and the weight of our responsibilities, it is important to ascertain the point to which we have reached. In the review of the last thirty years, with considerable excitement at intervals and some lost opportunities, we may mark decided stages of progress. At the beginning of this period persistent efforts were made to change our simple order of worship, and to modify the preaching either in substance or in form, in order to meet the requirements of the age. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

First published in 1972, this volume shows the potency, and the limitations of Nonconformity in shaping the beginning of modern Britain. It draws upon a wide range of sources including the writings and discussions of Nonconformists themselves, their critics, and contemporary commentators. The extracts and the extensive introduction set Nonconformity in the broader context of social and political history, and address the ‘life’ of the free Churches: their conflicts, internal and externals, their organization and spread, and their theology. The collection demonstrates the variety and diversity of Nonconformity as well as the controversies and debates of the period. This book will be an excellent reference for students of History, English and Theology, and will provide a starting point for those who wish to explore Nonconformist history.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1881.