PREFACE. It is generally the design of a preface to make the reader acquainted with something, which it will be useful for him to know, before he commences the perusal of the work itself. But this cannot be the design of a preface to a volume, which has been published and read before the preface was written. The Editors of periodical publications naturally fall into the habit of writing postcripts, though they are placed at the beginning of volumes, and usurp the name of prefaces: It will not be unprecedented, therefore, if we cast our eyes back for a moment, on the volume which is now closed, and which, as we are willing to believe, has been read with candor by our patrons generally. Though we could wish our pages had been more worthy of perusal, and though we are by no means blind to their imperfections, yet it is a consoling thought, that the tendency and the effect of the Panoplist, are, as our friends encourage us to hope, decidedly beneficial. There is the more reason for expressing this opinion of our work, as we could not be justified in publishing it, were its utility doubtful in our own view, and as a large proportion of the original matter is furnished by men, whose deliberate reflections are certainly entitled to an attentive consideration. On looking over the numbers, which compose this volume, as we have been obliged to do in compiling an index, the vast importance of a relig ious magazine, conducted with even tolerable propriety, has been very deeply impressed on our mind. One most cheering characteristic of the present times, is an enlarged and still increasing benevolence. Efforts to meliorate the condition of man are now made by a greater number of enlightened individuals, and on a ance to the world, that these efforts should not be slackened; that the zeal, which is now so happily excited, should not languish; and that the number of persons, who labor and pray for the prosperity of Zion, should be multiplied. Though these desirable results can only be secured by the divine blessing, yet it is to be received as an undoubted maxim, that this blessing is not to be expected, unless in the use of the means which God has kindly furnished, and which have often been honored with sure tokens of his approbation. Let the friends of the Redeemer see to it, then, that no vantage ground be abandoned; and that no temporary inconvenience be suffered to impede the progress of that cause, the success of which is infinitely more valuable than any temporal interests. These considerations should induce all publishers of religious works, and all writers in them, to look forward with a steady eye, and an unwavering faith, to that blessed consummation, when truth and virtue shall become triumphant on earth, and when the Lord Jesus shall be That we universally received as the Savior of sinners may act under the influence of these high and commanding motives, and that our readers may be interested in the blessings of that covenant, which is ordered in all things and sure, is our earnest supplication to God. Boston, December, 1814. INDEX, OF THE PRINCIPAL MATTERS CONTAINED IN THIS VOLUME. Barlow, Joel, the barbarous diction Beecher, Rev. Lyman, review of his sermon, 311 178 Belcher, Governor, original letters Bible Society, British and Foreign, 476 book of Deuteronomy, 84 Ancient Ecclesiastical documents, 320 Anderson, Rev. Rufus, his life and character, 308 Anecdote, Antigua, missions of the United Brethren at, Appleton, Rev. Jesse, D. D. review of his election sermon, Association, General, of Massachu- Baptist Missions in India, state of, at of 1812, 22 425 389 -- 316 - 114 New Hampshire, abstract of New York, abstract of the in the county of Middlesex, 183 184 234 Norfolk, Vir. address and 131 constitution of, Auxilary, of Newark and the of Dublin, Ireland, Ladies' 431 528 Caramanali, a Georgian prince, ac- Caravan, destruction of, in the Ara- 567 34 113 339 335 41 38 492 12. 155,213 $33 bian desert, 188 Cuution to young men, 23 Cent Institution, Mrs. Simpkins 523 Ceylon, reasons for establishing a mis- sion at, Chalmers, Rev. Mr. review of his ser- mon before the Dundee Missionary 514 547 521 366 412 Charitable Association in Newbury- Dickinson, Rev. Timothy, life and Digah, mission at, Dinagepore, mission at, Directions for hearing the Gospel, the chief end of, Donation to the Middlesex Bible So- ciety, |