First edition establishing the doctrinal creed of the Freewill Baptists as published by their influential leader David Marks, partly to support the faith and subsidize Marks’ itinerant preaching. David Marks (1805–1845) was of Jewish descent who became a Freewill Baptist. He became known as the “Boy Preacher” when he left home at the age of sixteen to preach. In one year, Marks preached in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Kentucky, Connecticut, and into Canada, often drawing huge crowds. Marks was also noted for his antislavery stance and for “encouraging Freewill Baptists toward perfectionist social reform activity, particularly abolitionism.” [DEB II:740.] Other historians have noted: “David Marks held a position with the Free-Will Baptists similar to that of John Wesley with the Methodists. Having entered the ministry a mere boy, and with a limited education, he had preached as an evangelist for twenty years with great success. Many churches had been organized, and many members had united with the denomination under his ministrations.”