Through the work of the Historical Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Historical Society, Southern Baptists are discovering that a knowledge of the past contributes significantly to an understanding of the present and to intelligent planning for the future. The current interest of Southern Baptists in their history and the growing appreciation of their heritage are recent developments. Historical apathy marked the life of the denomination for almost a century after the organization of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1845. The progression of Southern Baptists from apathy to avid interest in their history during the last 35 years is a unique story which needs to be told. The 20th anniversary (1971) of the Historical Commission, SBC, as a chartered agency of the Southern Baptist Convention seemed an appropriate time to share this story with Southern Baptists and all others interested in the vital work of recording, procuring, preserving, and utilizing history. - Introduction.