TO THE SEARCHERS FOR TRUTH
PREFACE
Years ago Brother W. W. Gardiner said to me: "I would rather trust your
interpretation of some portions of Scripture than that of Mr. Broadus."
In astonishment I inquired, "Why?" "Because," he replied, "you have been
forced to know some things that Mr. Broadus never had to know."
If there is any portion of Scripture, the true import of which I have been
forced to learn, it is that portion upon which the Disciples depend to
prove the close and inseparable connection between baptism and salvation.
I am aware that in many places Campbellism is not what it once was. It
has loosened its grip upon some things that were foundation stones upon
which the denomination was built. There has been in many parts a gradual
abandonment of the chief vagaries of Mr. Campbell and his contemporaries
and a return toward Bible ground. But in the language of a distinguished
writer and preacher, "Campbellism is blood raw in many places." Besides
the principal error combated has been more or less advocated through the
ages, and doubtless will be for ages to come.
For such reasons I send out the book, hoping that error will be hindered
and truth helped by its publication.
I have received valuable aid from various sources. I desire to acknowledge
especially indebtedness to my friend and brother F. L. Dupont, for valuable
suggestions.