A Word of Introduction, and a Request to Our Brethren

Dearly Beloved, those near and far who are interested in the Cause of Christ and “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,”

Surely each of us has been personally and spiritually enriched by the wisdom, experiences, insights, and testimonies of those who have labored before us. As the God-fearing scientist Isaac Newton commented, “it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants” that we are blessed to enlarge our view and better develop our understanding.

Scripture teaches that we “are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:20-22). Settled on the glorious Cornerstone, Christ’s kingdom has increased through the centuries by His grace and mercies, and “of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end” (Isaiah 9:7). For many generations faithful “labourers together with God” have “built upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones” (1 Corinthians 3:9-15). It is these treasured labors of bygone times that we, the editors of Gold, Silver, Precious Stones desire to help preserve and disseminate. We will consider this work profitable if we can but bear “witness that [they were] righteous, God testifying of [their] gifts: and by it [they] being dead yet speak…” (Hebrews 11:4).

We ask three things of you. First, will you and those with whom you worship lift your prayers heavenward on behalf of this little republication effort? We need God’s wisdom and strength, and desire that this labour of love would redound to His glory and to the welfare of His kingdom. Second, if you have access to any historical nuggets, will you share them with us? We want to leave no stone unturned—even some of the lesser-known authors of yesteryear can be rich and valuable. We will gladly pay postage and copying costs for any such materials to which we do not already have access. Third, will you consider subscribing to and otherwise supporting this publication? Our major recurring costs include printing and postage. We want to provide this resource to all who desire to benefit from it, regardless of their ability to help defray these expenses; anyone who has a willingness and ability to contribute will not only be supporting his own receipt of Gold, Silver, Precious Stones, he will be helping us provide it to other brethren as well.

1. We plan to publish semi-annually. Each issue will generally address one particular topic. In this way we hope each issue will serve not only as an interesting historical snapshot, but also as a tool for the personal topical study of God’s word, and possibly even as a resource for evangelism, to be handed out to inquirers in the larger community.
2. We pledge our best efforts to excerpt in this publication the most informative and relevant sections of a variety of different historical Primitive Baptist materials. It is impractical to reprint in the booklet the full text of each historical reference cited. However, this web site will provide access to the complete text of these references.
3. It is of course impossible in a single issue, even in a single year, to incorporate all that has ever been said on any large subject by our forefathers. Consequently we have determined to subdivide the task before us into several historical periods. With occasional exceptions (e.g., confessions and articles of faith), the first period we will attempt to reproduce is the nineteenth century, the era in which Primitive Baptists first became known by that name and in which they did “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3) against the onslaughts of modern religion and modern secularism. In later years we hope to expand this scope to include edifying historical material from the 1700’s, the 1900’s, and even the 1600’s and before.
4. Once again, we warmly solicit the contributions and suggestions of our brethren the world over. Is there a topic you would like to see addressed? Please let us know. Are there historically interesting or spiritually edifying books, photographs, articles, sermons, epitaphs, memorials, debates, letters, or other materials within the scope of this labour that you would recommend to our readers’ attention? Please send them in. Do you know of others who would appreciate receiving these materials? Please forward us their names and addresses. And most of all, “brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).