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Inaugural Discourse on Church History and Church Polity

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An inaugural address defending church history as essential to theological education and church polity, illuminating doctrine, humility, and God’s providence.
Archive ⬩ Church History, Ecclesiology
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John Bailey Adger (December 13, 1810 – January 3, 1899) was an American Presbyterian missionary born in Charleston, South Carolina, who served nearly twelve years among the Armenians in Asia Minor, translating the New Testament and other Christian works into Armenian before ill health forced his return to the United States.

After returning home he founded a Presbyterian congregation for Black worshippers in Charleston and later taught ecclesiastical history and church polity at Columbia Theological Seminary from 1857 to 1874, also serving as a pastor in various South Carolina churches.

Known for his scholarly gifts and committed service to the church, he continued pastoral work well into his 80s and authored an extensive autobiography, My Life and Times, before his death in Pendleton, South Carolina.

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