TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES.
This book contains twenty-four sermons delivered to what was likely aCongregational church in Hartford, Connecticut, around 1795. Your Transcriber,a Baptist layman, obtained access to the book 220 years later and half acontinent away, in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.
The dedication provides some information on the occasion for publishing thebook. However, the details of its production were not presented. The sourcematerial may have been the minister’s notes or one or more of thecongregants could have transcribed the messages as they were delivered. Atthe print shop, it appears that the task of setting and printing was completedover a number of days by a number of different craftsmen, of varying skilland interest in the project. On some pages, almost every line ends with ahyphen as one tried to put as many words as possible on a page. On otherpages, very few words end with a hyphen and there is a bit more white spacebetween words. The orthography (“labor” vs. “labour”)and capitalization (“Christian” vs. “christian”)varies from page to page and may vary within a given sentence.
The book includes spellings that the electronic spell checker flags forcorrection. The Transcriber consulted the Oxford English Dictionary and retainedsome spellings that were termed obsolete because they may reflect the time when thebook was published. Changes to the original are documented in the Transcriber’sNotes at the foot of the document. Linked to detailed notes.
The Transcriber followed Project Gutenberg style guidance by removing dropcapitals and small cap text from the beginning of paragraphs. The book includesmany dashes. They have been standardized to either one or two em-dash characters.In the original text, some of the dashes are quite long.
Rev. Perkins refers repeatedly to the “Christian Religion.”The Transcriber prefers to refer to Christianity as a relationship with JesusChrist, rather than a religion. Over time, religion may degenerate into ritualand tradition, and lose its relevance and vitality.
Rev. Perkins speaks enthusiastically about the New Testament ordinances,Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. While he does not provide specific details,he evidently considered these practices to require justification and defence,which he provides, at some length. He interchanges the terms “sacrament”and “ordinance” as if they were similar or equivalent. The word“sacrament” may give the impression that participating in the act isa means of gaining merit or favor. The word “ordinance” indicates thatthe act was instituted or ordained by Christ who set a pattern or model for Hisworshippers to follow.
When Rev. Perkins discusses baptism, he states that if a minister performsthe act, water is employed in some manner, and the proper words are spoken, oneis baptized. He discusses only in passing, the death, burial, and resurrectionsymbolism that is reflected only in full immersion baptism. See Romans 6:4 andColossians 2:12.
The Bible tells us:
- Everyone is a sinner. Romans 3:10–12, 23.
- The penalty for sin is death (eternal separation from God). Romans 6:23a.
- Our good deeds (works) do not save us. Isaiah 64:6.
- Salvation is available as a free gift. Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 6:23b.
- Salvation is available to everyone who chooses to receive it. John 3:16.
- Good works are the proper response of a grateful heart. Ephesians 2:10.
- “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31
- The Gospel in four verses: 1 Corinthians 15:1–4.
Technical note: This book makes extensive use of small cap text.It may be necessary to experiment with browsers and fonts to find one th