The BASIC RESEARCHER'S GUIDE is a publication of the Telling The Truth website.  It is a list of all known available material written by outsiders about the 2x2 sect, as well as historical documents written by insiders. The list and material is presented without prejudice for the readers' examination and evaluation, with no regard given to the orientation of the information; i.e. negative or positive. 

The Basic Researcher's Guideis a historical data base of the 2x2 sect, created to aid those who want to research this group.  It is a researcher's tool.  Inclusion of material in The Basic Researcher's Guide is based solely on the subject matter, with the criteria being that information (1) must be published or circulated and (2) must relate to The Church Without a Name, its history, founder and/or congregation.  The TTT Editor makes no representations concerning the accuracy of the information presented in the references listed.

CERTIFICATION:  Telling The Truth certifies that its compiler has visually examined a copy of each and every item listed in this Basic Researcher's Guide, and holds a hard copy in its files to substantiate each item listed herein. 

Introduction

Those searching for historical records of The Church Without a Name encounter many obstacles to their investigation.  The Basic Researcher's Guidewas designed to acquaint the reader with the material which has been published about The Church Without a Name, and lead him to other sources for further study.  It provides a detailed bibliography of published information available about this sect; gives directions on obtaining this information from public records; and gives suggestions for overcoming research problems.  The purpose of The Basic Researcher's Guide is to aid, assist and expedite individuals in their research and investigation of this sect.

Rational thinkers don't accept or reject what they don't know or understand without thorough investigation. Relying solely upon the word of others is very risky in matters that are important to you.  Personally proving or disproving information that conflicts with your understanding or beliefs is an advisable and intelligent practice.  Truth is nothing to be afraid of, for "...the truth shall make you free," John 8:32.

Up until the 1990's, printed information about this church group was extremely difficult to locate.  Searches were considerably hampered because information was not stored under one particular identification or name.  Since the group claims it takes no universal or official name, information is filed under a wide variety of headings or nicknames applied to the group by outsiders unfamiliar to the researcher.

The Church Without a Name is also known as:  The Truth, Two-by-Twos, 2x2s, Cooneyites, Christian Conventions, The No-Name Church, The Way, The Fold, The Nameless House Church, The Friends, The Workers, The Black Stockings, The Dippers, The Secret Sect, Pilgrims, Go-Preachers, Tramp Preachers, The Jesus-Way, Testimony of Jesus, Reidites, Irvinites and the White Mice.

Another reason information may be difficult to locate is because most of the very early records were printed and preserved in the United Kingdom.  Still another reason is because information is scarce, due to the group maintaining a very low-profile.  And last, but not least, because the group does not publish any information about itself.  Although the newspapers reported the activities of the group for ten years after its inception in Ireland in 1899, in the subsequent years they made little more than an occasional passing reference.

It has taken some researchers several years before they finally obtained information about the sect.  For some the end of their search came when information arrived in their mailbox (mass mailings).  Some searchers got the breakthrough they were looking for by taking ingenuous routes.  For example, some contacted encyclopedia editors (Gordon Melton); book authors (Ron Enroth); reporters or newspapers where articles came out (Los Angeles Times); convention ground owners in the United Kingdom, magazine editors (Christianity Today), ex-members, cult ministries, Christian pastors, Christian Research Institute, Religion Analysis Service, The British Newspaper Library, Faith Mission, Library of Congress, Impartial Reporter of Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, etc.

Since 1990, however, the volume of material about the group has continued to steadily increase. Several books have been written and published which are devoted entirely to the group.  Since some of these were privately published and marketed, locating a source for these books was not an easy task.  Along with the proliferation of information, several independent agencies were formed in an effort to make the information readily available and accessible.  These are listed under the heading: Agencies Familiar with this Group.

You may have wondered.  How do I go about acquiring a copy of a particular old newspaper or magazine article that I know exists?  Following are several methods.

(1)  Many publishers will provide copies of a particular article if it is requested by date and title. Some publishers do so free of charge, while others charge a nominal fee.

PERIODICAL PUBLISHERS' ADDRESSES can be found in a current issue of Ulrich's International Periodicals Directory by R. R. Bowker, located in the Reference Material section of many libraries. Ulrich's Directory contains American and Canadian periodical publications arranged by subject headings, with indexes by title and ISSN Nos. They also provide updates throughout the year.  

NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS' ADDRESSES can also be found in a current issue of Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcasting Media, (formerly Ayer Directory of Publications) edited by Karen Troshynski-Thomas and Deborah M. Burek, located in the Reference Material section of many libraries.

ACQUIRING EARLY NEWSPAPER ARTICLES:  The easiest route is to order copies of the articles listed on the "Early Newspaper Articles" list, which Research & Information Services (RIS) has collected and compiled into spiral-bound booklets.  RIS is listed under the heading in this Guide for Agencies Familiar with this Group.

(2)  Some LIBRARIES will provide copies of newspaper articles and periodicals free of charge, while others charge a nominal fee.   To find the address and telephone number of the library in a certain area, call Directory Assistance.  A current issue of the American Library Directory by R.R. Bowker, may be found in the Reference Book section of some libraries.  This directory lists the names and addresses of public, academic, government and special libraries in United States, Canada and Mexico, arranged geographically. 
    Write the library exactly what item it is you want to obtain, giving all the information you have, and ask if they can help you with your request.  It is not essential to have the exact date the article was printed; many will search 30-60 days, depending on the time they have available to devote to your search.  However, it is not likely they would search a whole year. To contact libraries in other countries, call the Federal Information Center for the telephone number or address of that country's embassy in the United States.  Then write or call the embassy for the names and addresses of the libraries in that country.

(3)  Many libraries cooperate with other libraries in a program where one library lends material indirectly to an individual through another library.  You may request books through their Inter-Library Loan Department, as well as photocopies of periodicals and newspapers, which are not found in the collections of your local library.  The usually procedure is to complete a Book Loan Request form supplied by your library for an out-of-print book, or a book not stocked by your local library.  Your library will contact another library that has the item, and they will loan the book to your local library.  Some libraries use a separate form for a Request for a Periodical Photocopy.  Contact your local library for the exact procedure to follow in making an Inter-Library Loan Request. The policies and rules of libraries vary considerably.  In many cases, there is no fee charged for these services.

Some public libraries around the country offer certain newspapers and periodicals on microfilm accompanied by an Index.  UMI has over 7,000 newspapers on microfilm in chronological order.  IF you know the date of the news article, you can go right to the reel of film or fiche card and view an article.  MICROFILM is the only source of full-image, full-text newspapers. Microfilm gives a complete visual record, which can be photocopied, of the newspaper exactly as it appeared, complete with pictures, graphics, placement and layout.

ON-LINE:  Some newspapers and periodicals are available on-line and can be found on the Internet.  Ulrich International Periodicals Directory by R. R. Bowker has on-line publications.

Books

Both in-print and out-of-print books can be requested through inter-library loan.  If a book is still "in print," the book can be purchased new.  Checking with the current issue of  R. R. Bowker's Books-In-Print, found in the Reference section of most libraries, will determine whether or not a book is still in-print.  Books can be located by title, author, subject or publisher.  This annual publication lists all books in print and forthcoming book titles from approximately 50,000 publishers.

Addresses of book publishers can be found in a current issue of Literary Market Place (LMP) Directory of American Book Publishing Industry by R. R. Bowker, 121 Chanion Rd, New Providence, NJ 07974 (ISBN 0-8352-3346-4), located in the Reference Material SECTION of many libraries.  Along with its companion edition of International Literary Market Place, the two reference books cover the book publishing industry for the entire world.

Most academic and major research libraries are part of interactive computer network that allows any researcher to access thousands of library catalogs.  For a list of library networks and catalogs, see the book: Dial In: An Annual Guide to Online Public Access Catalogs, by Michael Schuyler, Westport, CT: Meckler, 1992

FOR DEFINITIONS OF LEGAL TERMS AND PHRASES:  See the current edition of Black's Law Dictionary by Henry Campbell Black, M. A., West Publishing Co., St. Paul, MN.

In 1994, Research & Information Services made available a booklet containing copies of the early newspaper articles, mostly of Impartial Reporter of Enniskillen, N. Ireland. These are reprinted in a format easier to read on TTT.  For RIS addresses, see: Agencies Familiar with this Group.   Most publications where publishers' addresses are not listed can be obtained through the British Newspaper Library.

* = Out of Print Publications

Powell's City of Books
1005 W Burnside St., Portland, OR 97209 USA;
Tel: 503-228-0540, Ext 415; 800-878-7323, Ext. 415;  Fax: 503/228-4631
http://www.righttool.com/powells/search-powells.html
Searches made for any book for small fee per title, prepaid, nonrefundable.

Reed Books, Box 55893, Birmingham, AL 35255 USA; Tel: 205-326-4460; International book searching company specializing in locating out of print, hard-to-find books.

Amazon.com will attempt to find out of print books:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/help/out-of-print.html

... ENGLAND

The British Newspaper Library
Colindale Avenue, London, England  NW9 5HE  U.K.

Source for:  Impartial Reporter, Fermanagh Times, Newtownards Chronicle, Ideas, Kilsyth Chronicle, The People, The Irish Daily Independent, The Irish Times, Belfast News Letter, Orange Standard

The British Library - Reader Services
Great Russell Street, London, England WC1B 3DG  U.K.; Tel:  0171-412
Source for:  Books and Periodicals

Life of Faith (now Parentwise)
Elm House Christian Comm. Ltd., 37 Elm Rd, New Malden, Surrey, KT3, 3HB England, U.K.

... NORTHERN IRELAND

Impartial Reporter Newspaper
8 & 10 East Bridge Street, Enniskillen, N. Ireland BT74 7BT; Tel: 01-36-5324 422
Source for: Impartial Reporter & Farmers Journal;
View  Certification by Mervyn Dane, Editor, dated 3/14/91 verifying copies of newspaper articles are true reproductions of the original articles published in the Impartial Reporter & Farmers Journal.
Other Sources of these newspaper articles: British Newspaper Library, RIS

Fermanagh Tourist Information Centre
Townhall, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, N. Ireland BT74 7BA.  Tel: (0365) 325050

Fermanagh Divisional Library
Irish/Local History Dept., Halls Lane, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland BT74 7DR
Tel: (0365) 322886;  Fax: (0365) 324685

The Linen Hall Library Belfast
17 Donegall Square North, Belfast BT1 5GD, Northern Ireland  U.K.

...REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

National Library of Ireland - http://www.nli.ie/en/homepage.aspx
Kildare Street , Dublin 2 Ireland; Phone: 353 (0)1 603-0200
O pened in 1890, this library contains a vast collection of books, manuscripts, records, photographs and maps. Trace your family tree at the Heraldic Museum in the Genealogical Office a few doors down at Nos. 2 and 3 Kildare Street. You can also check any Irish newspaper ever.

Offaly County Library
O'Connor Square, Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland; Tel: (0506) 21419;  Fax: (0506) 52769 Source for Kings County Chronicle  

. . . AUSTRALIA

Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales, Australia
Macquire Street, Sydney, N.S.W. 2000; Tel: (02) 230 1414
For:  The Chronicle, Toowoomba, Queensland

 . . . NEW ZEALAND:

Headquarters of New Zealand Public Libraries, Auckland Public Library
P.O. Box 4138, Auckland, New Zealand; Tel:  649-377-0209
 

 . . .UNITED STATES:

Christian Research Institute (CRI),
30162 Tomas, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Tel: 714-855-9926;
URL:  http://www.equip.org

Religion Analysis Service (RAS)
P.O. Box 22098, Robbinsdale, MN 55422-0098;
Tel: 800-562-9153; 612-535-8715
URL: http://www.ras.org      See: Two by Twos

Research & Information Services (RIS)
P.O. Box 746, Bend, OR  97709 USA
541-312-2455
Email:  jfd@workersect..org
URL: http://www.workersect.org/

Threshing Floor Ministries (TFM)
PO Box 9899, Spokane, WA 99209; Fax: 509/448-3912  
Email: threshingfloorministries@hotmail.com

Telling The Truth (TTT)
Email: truth@earthlink.net
URL: http://www.tellingthetruth.info/home/

MacGregor Ministries, Bx 294, Nelson, BC V1L 5P9 Canada; Tel: 250/352-9327 Fax: 250/352-5494
Email:  jwfacts@macgregorministries.org
http://www.macgregorministries.org/cult_groups/2x2.html

 . . . IRELAND:

Breda Centre, 14 Glencregagh Court, Glencregagh Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland  BT6 OPA
Tel From USA: 011-44-232-813450;  Tel: (01232) 795000

 . . . NEW ZEALAND:

Hamilton Christian Support Group
19 Lawrence St., Hamilton, NZ; Tel: (07) 855-9587; EMAIL:  ian@thenet.co.nz

Middleton Ministries, PO Box 1200, Gisborne, NZ

Positive Action Centre (POC); P.O. Box 99-758, Newmarket, Auckland  NZ
Tel: 09-4731873

 . . . AUSTRALIA:

E. Coleman
Email:  liz.coleman@covenant.act.edu.au

Freedom in Christ (Jan Groenveld)
P.O. Box 2444, Mansfield, Queensland Australia 4122
http://www.caic.org.au/zcoonies.htm

Koorong Books Pty, Limited (Retail) (Sydney)
17-19 Ryedale Road, West Ryde, NSW Australia 2114
Tel:  (02) 9857 4477; Fax: (02) 809-6207
See URL:  http://www.koorong.com.au  for additional store locations
Email: enquiry@koorong.com.au

Crossroad Distributors Pty Limited (Wholesaler)
9 Euston Street, Rydalmere, NSW Australia 2116
Tel: (02) 898-0644; Fax: (02) 898-0690

Many of these agencies can provide additional tracts, information and sources of contact.