From the INTRODUCTION
The people of America have during the past four years become deeply interested in the people of France and Belgium. While this has been a profound and unlimited human interest, it is natural and obvious that, in association with it, the evangelical churches of America should have a special concern for their suffering brethren of the evangelical churches in these nations.
Heretofore there has been little contact between these churches, other than the occasional expression of sentiments of esteem and good will. The experiences of the war have now translated our sympathy into terms of service.
This volume has been prepared to meet the demand of the pastors and members of our churches for ready information concerning the history and especially the present conditions, of our sister churches in France and Belgium.
Mrs. Louise Seymour Houghton has for decades been rendering distinguished service of this kind through voice and pen. No one in America knows better the history of the Huguenot and other Protestant churches in France than she and no one has entered more deeply into their genius and spirit. This service, which is a labor of love on her part, will merit and should receive the gratitude of the Christian churches of America and of France and Belgium.
The book has been designed distinctively in the light of its practical value and service rather than simply from the viewpoint of the historian. It is to be earnestly hoped that our pastors and the members of our churches will find it a source of inspiration and guidance, to the end that we may participate in the great evangelical movements in these two nations which have, during these recent years, made for themselves so large a place in the heart of the world.
—Charles S. MacFarland.
