Christ's Headship of the Church

When this work was at first undertaken the question of its publication was practically foreign to the mind of the author. Even now he feels that to make it most valuable to the average reader a careful rewriting would be advantageous. Much material was laid aside which ought to appear for the benefit of those who have not entered deeply into a study of Mennonite History. On the other hand it has been frequently urged that the material found in this work should be made available for the use, especially of the young people, even in its present form and therefore the author has consented to have this child of his thinking to go out into the world to perform whatever work our Father in heaven may find for it. It is not without misgivings that this permission has been granted; it is, however, with the hope that those, who shall peruse its pages with care, may catch some of the same spirit of our forefathers, which has increasingly impressed the author and has made him want to make a contribution worthy of their memory.

Where this book is to be used as a text or reference book in Young People's meetings it will be found desirable to consult freely some of the more general books on Mennonite History found listed in the Bibliography.

The biographies in Chapter III may prove valuable for use in attempting to become acquainted with the kind of leadership which made possible the valuable contribution of the Anabaptists and may prove to be the most usable material for Christian Endeavor or other Young People's classes. If this chapter, or any other portion of the book, should prove to be a source of inspiration to the young people of our churches, then the author will feel repaid for the labor which was necessary for the production of this work.

J. H. Langenwalter

Bluffton, Ohio, March 20, 1917.

Dettagli