Through Four Centuries

The Story of the Beginnings of

the Evangelical and Reformed

Church, in the Old World and

The New, from the Sixteenth

to the Twentieth Century.

By

Julius H. Horstmann

and

Herbert H. Wernecke

FOREWORD

It is hoped that the publication of this little volume at this time will not only be an effective help in spreading important historical information but will also promote and strengthen the process of organic union into which the Reformed Church in the United States and the Evangelical Synod of North America entered so auspiciously four years ago. The knowledge of our common history and of the religious heritage and experiences which are our common property should go far toward fostering that "unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" which is so vitally important in solving the various practical problems which the merger has created.

We have sought to meet an immediate need in a direct and simple manner, and to tell, in popular fashion, the essential facts in the development of the two groups, so that the general reader may easily understand why the organic union was so natural and logical. Much that might have been included had to remain unsaid, and we feel that much of what is said could be said more effectively. We are humbly conscious of the fact that in this field especially we "know only in part" of the many persons who, all through the years, have struggled and suffered and sacrificed for the sake of building and extending their Church, and that so many who deserve credit must remain unknown.

No attempt was made to deal with theological trends, or to evaluate the leadership given by prominent persons at important periods, nor did we undertake to portray the significance of the educational institutions. There is a real need for a comprehensive and exhaustive history of the united Church that will do justice to these and other important factors in the development of the Church. We hope the questions at the end of each chapter will be helpful where the book is used by study or discussion groups.

We gladly acknowledge our indebtedness to a large variety of source material. Dr. Richards' "Studies in the Heidelberg Catechism" has been mentioned in the body of the book, and additional valuable information was obtained from Sweet, "The Story of Religion in America"; Muecke, "Geschichte der Evangelischen Synode von N. A."; "Know Thy Church," by Rev. F. Stoerker; the volumes on Reformed Church History, by Dr. James I. Good; "Evangelical Pioneers," by Rev. John W. Flucke; "The Westward Expansion of the Reformed Church," by Dr. T. P. Bolliger; "Studies in Church History" (Volume IV of the Evangelical Adult Lesson Series), by Rev. Henry Katterjohn and Rev. Otto Press; "Fifty Years of Foreign Missions"; to “The Winnebago Finds a Friend,” by Dr. A. V. Casselman, and “Missionary Trails” and “Missionary Horizons,” published by the Mission Boards of the Evangelical Synod of North America. We are also most grateful to Rev. Thomas R. Marshall for his critical reading of the manuscript.

We dedicate the little volume to the supremely great purpose of strengthening and promoting a greater measure of cooperation and fellowship within our own communion and, perhaps, beyond. If it proves to be of some use in advancing the cause of Christian unity which meant so much to our Saviour and Lord, our purpose will have been fully accomplished.

Julius H. Horstmann

Herbert H. Wernecke

Webster Groves, Mo.

August, 1938