The History and Literature of the Heidelberg Catechism and of Its Introduction into the Netherlands

The following sketch of the history and literature of the Heidelberg Catechism, and of its adoption in the Netherlands, will be found interesting to the general reader, and especially worthy of the attention of those to whom all authentic information touching the Heidelberg Catechism is important. It contains a course of historical lectures on this subject, originally designed for van Alpen’s students in the Theological Seminary in New Brunswick. The importance of the Heidelberg Catechism cannot be minimized, as Alpen states in the introduction: “The Heidelberg Catechism exerted the most powerful influence upon the destinies of entire nations and kingdoms. It decided the constitution of a whole republic. It was the basis upon which the freedom of a powerful religious party was founded.”