As rivers of water in a dry place. -ISAIAH xxxii. 2. THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY: 164, PICCADILLY. Pattison PREFACE. TH HE comparatively small area of the British Isles has, for upwards of a thousand years, been a stage whereon has been fully played out successive acts in the great drama of social history, on a scale and with a completeness nowhere else displayed. The scenery of the transactions remains with us, though the actors have departed. The bare connection of names and places would be dry and useless; but a reference to the associated events connected with religion, cannot fail to give interest and value. We have sought to register and arrange for use such instances, not only for the resuscitation of worthy memories, but for present practical influence. In this we but follow the highest precedent. Jehovah, in appealing to His ancient people, frequently reminds them of the spots where He had displayed to them His power and love. Our blessed Lord also enforces His exhortations and warnings by reference to the localities which had been distinguished by His presence. In fact, we follow the natural method of enlisting association in order to quicken knowledge, excite faith, and promote gratitude and courage. It is the office and excellency of our reason to trace such connections. The spread of religion in Great Britain cannot be assigned to any geographical or physical causes, nor is it due to reasons derived from ethnology or social life. From the first it has been a missionary work, carried on by the living voice or silent page, conveying to men the message of God revealed in the Scriptures. The truth has been published with equal 26 X results to and by Celt and Teuton, Saxon and Norman. It has spread throughout our land, amongst all ranks, in all places, and at all times-in proportions corresponding to the use of the Bible, and of prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Considering the present dimensions of the British empireits direct influence over so many hundred millions of people, these transactions at the focus of its power during the formative period of its growth, must be deserving of investigation; for, unless we greatly err, here is to be found the secret of that energy which is unquestionably the greatest human force known in ancient or modern times—the moral opinion of England. Should it be thought that the characters and incidents noted in the following pages often belong rather to the bye-ways than to the main course of English history; the answer is twofold. In the first place, the aim has not been to dwell on those great events and conspicuous personages of whom every historian tells; and, secondly, it is in the obscurer walks of life that we often find the best illustration of those forces which have secretly but effectually shaped our national religious life. The present work, being intended merely as a guide and stimulus, has not been burthened with biographical details. Local histories and accessible biographies will quickly furnish further information. For the former, Anderson's Book of British Topography is a convenient index; and for the latter, Foxe's Acts and Monuments covers the most fruitful of all the centuries. The voices of our fathers gone before Float back to us, who struggle in the rear; Subdued by distance ever more and more.-TENNYSON. |