Scene on a Missionary Platform at Scarborough-Dr. Abra- ham Taylor on Churchmen and Dissenters - Dr. Newton's Popularity-His Feeling of Responsibility in reference to it-Humility and Modesty—His singular Prudence-Conver- sational Powers-His Attachment to Methodism-Its Doc- trines Its Discipline -The Connectional Principle - His Labors for Methodism-Anecdote of his Visit to an obscure Village-His patient Sufferings for Methodism-His noble Firmness in the Maintenance of his Methodistic Trust-His Single-Mindedness-Two illustrative Anecdotes-Howard- The Esteem in which he was held by his own Brethren and PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION. THE subject of this biography was one "whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches." Operating as a Methodist minister with almost unprecedented activity, popularity, and usefulness, for half a century, his Life can scarcely fail to be of surpassing interest—especially to the Methodist reader. His official visit to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church made him personally known to thousands in our own country; and it was impossible to know him without admiring and loving him. When, therefore, it was announced that his intimate friend, the Rev. Dr. Jackson, was writing his Life, a great desire was expressed for its speedy publication and its prompt reïssue from our press. Accordingly, the author executed his task with as much dispatch as the nature of the case would allow, and we have lost no time in the republication of his interesting biography. This edition is an exact reprint of the London book, with the exception of a few errata in the names of persons and places this side the water which we have of course corrected—and the addition of a few notes, which were deemed expedient for reasons which will be obvious to the judicious reader. NASHVILLE, TENN., July, 1855. THE EDITOR. (xi) AUTHOR'S PREFACE. THE biography of the late Dr. Newton is not a subject that I should myself have chosen, not because I had any doubt respecting his purity and uprightness, or the propriety of placing his personal history before the world; but because of the difficulty of doing justice to a character of such rare excellence, and to a course of action so peculiar and unique. But when his family requested me to undertake the service, and their wishes. were seconded by several of his brethren in the ministry, whom he highly esteemed, and who were deeply concerned for his honor, I felt that I ought not to refuse at least to make the attempt. But scarcely had I begun to collect materials for the work, when it pleased God, by a stroke of his providence, to disqualify me for the task which I had undertaken. He took from me my best earthly friend, who had been the wife of my youth, the mother of my children, and my ever-faithful companion and adviser for nearly forty-five years. The dispensation was, indeed, mingled with mercy; for, perhaps, few persons have had a more peaceful and gentle removal from the sufferings of this life to the joys of the heavenly paradise; yet such a bereavement was a sad reality, and for a time rendered it impossible for me to proceed with my engagement. As soon as I was able, I entered upon the task, and found it to be a means of mental relief. It was impossible to trace the gradual development of such a character as that of Dr. Newton, and to describe his (xiii) 2 wonderful ministry, without pleasurable emotions, and even spiritual profit. Yet, after all, the state of my own feelings may have thrown an air of pensiveness over some parts of the narrative; and if so, the candid reader, it is hoped, will excuse and forgive it. The whole has been written under an impressive view of the brevity of life, and of the inestimable value of that personal faith in Christ crucified, which secures peace to the conscience, and purity to the heart, and which prepares mankind alike to meet the trials and sorrows that inevitably await them in this world, and to enjoy the endless happiness of the heavenly state. The materials for the Life of Dr. Newton have been found to be far more rich and ample than they were apprehended to be. Knowing that his was a course of incessant activity, I concluded that he kept no daily journal of his proceedings, and that his correspondence consisted of scarcely any thing but laconic answers to applications for ministerial service. In this I have been pleasingly disappointed. He did not, indeed, keep any journal, except during the time of his visit to America ; but his letters to Mrs. Newton, which he wrote when he spent any considerable time from home, and which she kindly placed at my disposal, I found to be singularly copious and interesting. They contain valuable sketches of his public labors, and disclose, with unreserved and admirable simplicity, the feelings of his heart, while he was engaged in a course of labor which astonished the world. They show the conscientious fidelity with which he endeavored to prosecute his ministry, and the anxious feeling of responsibility with which he contemplated his ever-growing popularity, and the consequent influence |