FROM

THE

MILLENNIAL HARBINGER:

FOURTH SERIES.

VOL. III.]	BETHANY, VA. MAY, 1853.	[NO. V.

      To the Readers of the Harbinger--The wish has been often expressed, that we had a brief, connected statement of the principles and objects of the Reformation, which would be suited to general distribution. There are many, it has been urged, who will read a short treatise, who have neither time nor inclination to peruse a large volume; and there are many who will read a printed exposition of our views, who will not, or cannot, hear the preaching of our brethren. It is thought, too, that a connected view of the great principles developed in the progress of the Reformation, would give greater satisfaction to the inquiring mind, and tend better to remove prejudice and correct misrepresentation, than any occasional essays or tracts upon isolated topics.

      The preacher who visits a new neighborhood, and delivers a few discourses which produce a spirit of inquiry and all interest in the truth, feels often the want of a brief and perspicuous printed account of the things he has been discussing, which he might distribute and leave behind him, to confirm and deepen the impression he has made.

      The individual who has been brought to obey the gospel, and who has a dear friend or relative in whose spiritual interests he feels a deep concern, often [296] desires to present to him or her an intelligible statement of the views he has adopted, that they may be duly examined and considered.

      Every one, in short, who is interrogated upon the subject of our views, or who desires to promote their dissemination, wishes to have it in his power to present to others a connected and satisfactory account of them, accompanied with such suggestions and reflections as might lead to their adoption.

      Impressed by such considerations, and prompted by the special solicitation of an esteemed brother, I have accordingly prepared such an exposition of the Principles and Objects of the Reformation as has been deemed, by many of our leading brethren, well suited to the above purposes. A portion of it was published in three last numbers of last year's Harbinger, and, subsequently, in pamphlet form, and the whole, having been thoroughly revised, and considerably enlarged and improved, is now stereotyped in a neat and convenient form, and offered to all who may desire it, as per advertisement on the cover of the Harbinger.

      As the feeble condition of my eyes renders it difficult for me to contribute much to the pages of the Harbinger, and has even induced me to withdraw my name, for the present, as co-editor in the work, I trust my friends and brethren will, by the circulation of this little work, enable me to hope that I am still thereby doing something in aid of the good cause in which we have a common, and, I trust, an abiding interest.

R. R.      

      [We much regret the necessity which has constrained Bro. Richardson from contributing to the pages of the Harbinger, as formerly. We, however, still hope that he will be able occasionally to be a contributor, if not to act the part of a co-editor. Bro. Pendleton's indisposition has also prevented him from contributing any thing for some time. But his recovery is such as to warrant the hope that he, too, will contribute to the edification of our readers.--A. C.]

[The Millennial Harbinger, Fourth Series, 3 (May 1853): 296-297.]

      Robert Richardson's "Principles of the Reformation" was first published in The Millennial Harbinger, Fourth Series, Vol. 3, No. 5, May 1853. The electronic version of this essay has been produced from the College Press reprint (1976) of The Millennial Harbinger, ed. Alexander Campbell (Bethany, VA: A. Campbell, 1853), pp. 296-297.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
373 Wilson Street
Derry, PA 15627-9770
e_stefanik@msn.com

Created 25 July 2000.