The first major work to identify the original generation of American geographers—teachers, writers, surveyors, cartographers, engravers, and others—who made significant contributions to the field of geography during the early years of the republic. As such, it represents a powerful research tool for scholars interested in learning about this group and the products of their labors. A comprehensive and inclusive reference work, this book depicts the individuals who engaged in the establishment and description of the United States. It includes information on people who were involved in activities that led to a remarkable body of information, maps, and literature of a geographic nature about the country.

This book is an enlarged version of the author's Hulsean Lectures in the University of Cambridge for 1983-4. It considers the main movements in the theology of baptism, both that of infants and believers, in Great Britain from the Evangelical Revival to the publication of the World Council of Churches Faith and Order Commission's consensus statement on Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry of 1982. Thus as well as the shifts in the Church of England from evangelical to tractarian, 'broad church' to liberal catholic, there is a survey of the views of Methodists, Baptists and Congregationalists, with reflections from the scene in Scotland and Ireland, during the same period. It offers a survey of popular belief and practice about baptism from the eighteenth century to the present, because of the author's conviction that theological movements have to be seen in their historical context. In the case of baptism, in particular, a consistent difference has persisted between popular perceptions and the Churches' expectations, which poses significant challenges to the understanding of the Churches' mission in contemporary society.

'The Search for a Common Identity' explores the process by which Scottish Baptists came to recognize the need for a union of Baptist churches in Scotland prior to 1869. This book identifies the major leaders in each of the three main Baptist streams in the early nineteenth century and shows how they came to the conviction that it was important for them to establish a common identity. At the heart of their unity was an enthusiasm for evangelism. The Baptist Home Missionary Society was formed in 1827. Its early successes demonstrated the wisdom of cooperation between the different Baptist agencies in Scotland. There had been three attempts to form a union of churches that failed because differences of perspective could not be reconciled. The principal achievement of the 1869 Baptist Union was in enabling Baptists with different theological opinions to come together to promote common practical objectives. In short, a shared sense of purpose led to the growth and establishment of the Baptist Union of Scotland.