The little book herewith given to the public is based upon the Kirchengeschichte im Grundriss, by Professor Rudolph Sohm, professor of juris prudence in the University of Leipzig, the many excellencies of which are enhanced by the fact that here Church history is written from the stand-point of 'a lawyer. The aim has been to preserve every thing of value to the American reader which the original work contains, and to add much which it omits or barely mentions. Thus 17, 18, 37, 38, 39, 53, 54, 55, 56, are all additional, as also the supplementary and explanatory notes, and the chronological tables. In the translated portions, omissions and additions were made, and statements of opinion altered whenever it was deemed necessary. The book in its English form, therefore, is prac tically an independent work.