This source edition of a so far unpublished work written by the young Kuyper, throws surprising new light on the origins of the ideas with which this founder of modern a Lasco research would later greatly influence Dutch nation and society as a theologian, politician, university founder, church leader, and prime minister.

Jasper Vree, Th.D. (1984), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Theology of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Main research interest: Dutch Church History, in particular of the nineteenth century; focus: the 'Groningen Movement' (Groninger richting) and Abraham Kuyper.
Johan Zwaan, Litt.D. (1973) Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, was special librarian for Classical Antiquity at the University Library of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He was the editor of G. Groen van Prinsterer, Bescheiden (2 vols., 1990-91).