The Christian Church: Its Rise and Progress

In presenting this work to the reading public, I think it proper to state that in its preparation I have not gleaned extensively from the archives of history, but have treated the subject more from a Scriptural than from a historical standpoint. There are other works that treat the subject historically, some presenting a narrative of the church, others a mere compilation of historical facts and evidences.

The author has endeavored to unfold some of the grandest and most beautiful truths contained in Holy Writ. Questions that are agitating the whole religious world have been treated. The church of God in all its magnificent splendor is portrayed in simple language. It is traced from its conception in the divine mind to its eternal home with God. Thus the reader is enabled to discern the church in its embryo state at the foundation of the world; to trace it through the four thousand years during which it was “a hidden mystery,” “not made known to the sons of men,” except in the types and shadows of the law; to see it when, at the advent of the Saviour, it descended to earth as the heavenly Jerusalem, to be the golden city of a golden age and to become the light of the world, the joy of the earth; to follow it in its varied fortunes throughout all the centuries of the Christian era; and at last to behold it a blood-washed, white-robed throng dwelling in the eternal city of the new earth, that “better” and “heavenly country.” . . .

Believing that my humble efforts will not be fruitless, I now leave it in God’s hand for the accomplishment of good.

In Christian love, I am,

Yours in the Master’s service,

H. M. Riggle.