Gerry Segger Heritage Collection Resources: Reformed Church History

PREFACE.
The chapters of this book first appeared in the
Reformed Church Magazine (1893-1895). They
then received favorable comment. Since that
Magazine ceased publication, there have been so
many inquiries for them that it is evident they met
a felt want in the Church, and the Sunday-school
Board of the Reformed Church in the United
States has undertaken their publication in this
volume. The author has added several chapters to
those that appeared in the Magazine. It is hoped
that the lives of these Reformed saints will stimulate
the ladies of our Church to greater interest in
our splendid Church history, and to greater activity
as in missions and the practical work of the
Church, in which they already excel.
The Author,
James I. Good.
Reading, November 11 1901.

PREFATORY NOTE
In the year 1867, the Reformed Dutch Church, which is
named in the following pages, dropped from its ecclesiastical
name the word "Dutch," which was first formally assumed
therein in the year 1793, and added the words " in America,"
60 that the said Church might thenceforth be known as " The
Reformed Church in America," (See below, Chap. II., Art.
5, Sec. 1.) Yet, in order that the absolute identity of "The
Reformed Church in America " with "The Reformed Dutch
Church " might be subject to no possible doubt or dispute, it was also ordained, that the epithet "Dutch" should be retained in all those places in this Constitution in which it had previously been used ; but should be inclosed in brackets, to indicate the purpose of the Church to discourage the ecclesiastical
and popular use of the word as part of its name.