Christian sects, United States 

A source of information about our non-Catholic brethren, written in terms which the average Catholic can understand, has long been needed - 'Separated Brethren' admirably fills that need. Fully realizing that modern movements, both Protestant and non-Roman Catholic, have gone beyond the original teachings of their founders. Mr. Whalen here presents what these groups actually teach and believe at the present time. The story of each major group's separation from the Church of Rome is recorded with sympathy and honesty. never is it forgotten that in some way, these, our brothers, must be brought back to the unity of the true Faith.
As history, 'Separated Brethren' is both generous in scope and devoted to detail. Within this volume are a capsule picture of Protestantism in America, a presentation of the beliefs and governing systems of the larger American Protestant groups, a survey of some significant, actually non-Christian cults, as well as a study of non-Roman Catholic churches in this country. Her are not only the international figures of religion since the Reformation: Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli, but also native American leaders such as the Campbells, William Miller, Mary Baker Eddy, and many others. The account is heightened at every turn by the author's attention to detail - pause is taken to recount the tragic search for faith of Joseph Rene Vilatte, to record the specific issues involved in the formation of the United Church of Christ, and, in every instance, to attend to the practice, as well as the theory, of the particular group discussed.
In addition to furnishing this panoramic picture of the beliefs, the people, and the activities of non-Catholic religions in America, 'Separated Brethren' offers an analysis of current movements toward unity, a description of the Roman Catholic Church's attitude and role in regard to such movements, and an enlightened judgment of how immanent is the fulfillment of Christ's command that there be but one flock and one shepherd.
This volume, because of its scope and accuracy, will help to destroy those twin sources of misunderstanding, ignorance and the half-truth. Its plain language and lucid presentation place at the disposal of every man that information which is the necessary foundation for greater love of our spiritual neighbors. Factual in presentation, objective in viewpoint, 'Separated Brethren' can bring to all that knowledge which, culminating in understanding, will help to hasten that union of spirit which must precede any unity of faiths.