RECOMMENDATIONS.

FROM REV. ELEAZER T. FITCH, A. M.

Professor of Divinity in Yale College.

A compendious history of the Church, written in as animated a style as a compend will allow, illustrated with maps and charts, and reduced to a size which the body of Christians can afford to purchase, is in my opinion, a work highly desirable. A work of this kind it has been the purpose of the Rev. Mr. Marsh to prepare in his "Epitome of Ecclesiastical History;" from a brief examination of it I am disposed to say that he has well executed the work, and that it is worthy of the patronage of the public.

FROM REV. JAMES MURDOCK, D. D. Professor of Ecclesiastical History in the Theological Seminary, Andover.

I have read with much interest several chapters of your "Epitome of Ecclesiastical History," designed for the use of common Christians and youth in our country. The general plan of the work is in my view, what it should be, and the execution in a good degree successful. That it may prove acceptable to the Religious public, and contribute to the advancement of useful knowledge, sound faith, and solid piety, in our American churches, is my sincere desire.

FROM REV. JOSEPH EMERSON,

Principal of the Female Seminary at Wethersfield.

Having examined the plan, and in some measure, the execution of the Rev. Mr. Marsh's Ecclesiastical History, I can cheerfully recommend it. Such a work is exceedingly wanted, and unless superseded by something more copious, should be faithfully read and studied by every person prepared to understand it. My best wishes attend it, and my earnest hope is, that by extensive circulation it may be greatly conducive to build up and beautify the church of Christ.

FROM THE BOSTON RECORDER AND TELEGRAPH. This work is necessarily but a compend, being intended in size and price for the mass of Christians, and embracing the whole period of Ecclesiastical History from the Creation to this day. It is a compend that was much needed; and we think will supply the want that has existed, as well as any work would do. An abundance of materials are compressed into a small compass, but it is not a mere chronological table or syllabus of facts. The most important events are selected, and trivial things passed over in silence. Forcible and enlivening reflections often relieve the tediousness of mere details; the classifications of subjects is happy, and the whole relation of past events is suited to the present age of benevolence and action, while it looks forward also to the approaching latter-day glory. The reader can find no where else such a compendious view of the church in all ages, presented in a manner so lucid and entertaining.

:

AN

EPITOME

OF

GENERAL

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY,

FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME.

With an Appendix,

GIVING A CONDENSED HISTORY

OF THE

JEWS,

FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM TO THE PRESENT DAY.

Elustrated by Maps and Engravings.

THIRD EDITION,..

PUBLIC

BY JOHN MARSH, A. M.
PASTOR OF A CHURCH IN HADIJAM, CT.

"How GREAT ARE HIS SIGNS! AND HOW MIGHTY ARE HIS WONDERS! HIS KINGDOM IS AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM, AND HIS DOMINION IS FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION."

NEW YORK;

PRINTED BY W. E. DEAN.

PUBLIC LIBRARY

680220

A&TOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

1914

DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT, ss.

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the first day of October, in the L. S. fifty-second year of the Independence of the United States of America,

John Marsh of the said district, hath deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as Author, in the words following, to wit:-"An Epitome of general Ecclesiastical History, from the earliest period to the present time. With an Appendix, giving a condensed History of the Jews from the destruction of Jerusalem to the present day. Illustrated by Maps and Engravings. By John Marsh, A. M. Pastor of a Church in Haddam, Conn." In conformity to the Act of Congress of the United States, entitled, "An Act for the encouragement of learning by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned."-And also to the Act, entitled, "An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled, 'An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Rooks, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned,' and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints."

CHAS A. INGERSOLL,
Clerk of the District of Connecticut.

A true copy of Record, examined and sealed by me,

CHAS A. INGERSOLL,
Clerk of the District of Connecticut.

PREFACE

TO THE FIRST EDITION.

A COMPENDIOUS history of the Church of God, properly executed, cannot fail of being useful in the Christian community.

The inspired history is both true and eminently beautiful; but its leading facts, detailed in the ordinary style, and illustrated and explained, will be perused with profit and pleasure. The period intervening between the Old and New Testament dates, lies hid from the mass of men in the Apocryphal books, in Josephus, and Prideaux's Connexions. And modern ecclesiastical history, though ably presented by Moshiem, Milner, Haweis, Gregory, Newton, Neal and others, is extended through many volumes, and accompanied by much dry discussion and minute detail, repulsive to the young. In compiling this work no references are made to authorities, as they would uselessly fill the magin; but the utmost care has been taken that nothing be stated for fact which is not well authenticated. Early notice of errors will be gratefully received. The view, given of existing denominations will not probably give universal satisfaction; but the classification of subjects, the attempt to give the history of religious opinions and the rise and fall of the different sects, and the moral and religious reflections will, it is thought, be pleasing to all who ❝contend earnestly for the faith orce delivered to the saints," and profitable to the youthful inquirer after truth.

The work is divided into three Periods. from the Creation to the Call of Abraham.

The first extends

The second, from the Call of Abraham to the birth of Christ. The third, from the birth of Christ to the present time. Occasional notice is taken of false prophets and false systems of religion, and of various providential dealings with the nations of the earth.

.

The whole is commended to the blessing of God.

*W.B, Waitjs.