METHODIST MAGAZINE,

VOL. XII, No. 1.

AND

Quarterly Review.

JANUARY, 1830. NEW SERIES-VOL. I, No. 1.

PROSPECTUS.

In commencing a new series of this work, it may be proper to give a succinct account of the reasons which have induced us to adopt its present form; together with the general range of topics which it is intended hereafter to embrace.

The Methodist Magazine was, until within a few years past, our only periodical publication. We have now the Child's Magazine, designed for children :-the Youth's Instructer and Sabbath School and Bible Class Assistant, intended for those approaching mature age, and also for adults who have not convenient leisure or means for larger works;-together with the Christian Advocate and Journal, embracing in its columns every miscellaneous interest of weekly occurrence. These, too, are all tributary to the interests of our charitable and benevolent institutions, and particularly to those devoted to the cause of Bibles, Sabbath Schools, Tracts, and Missions. For the ordinary purposes of intelligence, and for general miscellaneous articles, which for such mediums of communication must necessarily be short, these periodicals seem to be sufficient. It may be remarked also, that many of the topics which formerly gave value to the monthly numbers of our Magazine,-the religious narratives and lighter miscellanies,-now find, since the introduction of a weekly religious newspaper, their appropriate place in that vehicle. Indeed, it has often happened since the commencement of our weekly paper, that after having much of our matter for the Magazine actually in type, or even on the press, before we could get into circulation, it has been anticipated, and spread abroad, through the speedier medium of the Christian Advocate and Journal. If we continue to occupy similar grounds with regard to matter, this occasional interference will unavoidably continue to occur, notwithstanding the editors of the paper are equally desirous with ourselves to act entirely in concert. It is therefore deemed expedient, in future, to omit in the Magazine such topics of ordinary occurrence, and to occupy the space thus redeemed with miscellaVOL. I.-January, 1830.

1

it

neous disquisitions. And as the subjects treated of will become more generally those of wide and permanent interest, and will require more extended and varied discussion, it is believed that quarterly periods of publication will be best adapted to this object. Our numbers will accordingly hereafter be thus issued,―quarterly instead of monthly,—and will average three times the quantity of pages formerly contained in the monthly numbers.

For this class of periodicals there is certainly a greater vacancy in the department of theological journals, at the present day, than in any other; and particularly in our own denomination. There is danger, too, of satisfying ourselves, on one hand, with light and transient reading, and, on the other, with light and transient writing. We yet need a journal which shall draw forth the most matured efforts of our best writers, whether in the ministry, or among other intelligent and literary contributors; where also they may have room for ampler and more exact discussion, in a record which shall endure for the inspection of posterity. There are very many also in the wide circle of our friends, who have both taste and adequate means, for patronizing such a work; and one such is highly desirable, as well for their satisfaction, as to lead others to the cultivation of a similar taste. Much of the matter, it is calculated, will be original; yet it is our intention also to avail ourselves of the best articles that can be selected, from periodicals, or other publications, of our own country, or of foreign countries; and to present them to our readers either entire, or in part, or in the form of abridgments, compilations, or abstracts, as may be deemed most conducive both to their rational pleasure, and to their solid and lasting benefit. Theology, embracing those evangelical views of truth so essential to genuine and enlightened piety, will occupy a prominent place in this work. Yet the general interests of humanity, morality, literature, and science, shall not be overlooked.

To aid in the accomplishment of these objects, in addition to the domestic and foreign journals with which we shall be furnished, we have taken measures to engage the regular assistance of able writers; of whom our improving ministry, and our growing academies and colleges, we trust, will contribute to furnish an increasing number. Reviews of works, and particularly of such as have any bearing on us as a denomination, whether adversely or favourably, with characteristic or other notices of new publications, shall share our pages; which shall also be open to the vindication not only of the doctrines, but of the institutions, discipline, and polity, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. These, of late, have been assailed with a

virulence of invective which would be truly amazing, had we not been taught that when our own familiar friends, in whom we trusted, lift up their heel against us, they become our cruelest foes. The ignominious reproaches which some of these have uttered, have been eagerly taken up and propagated by watchful adversaries, who have been baffled in the occasions which they have sought against us on other grounds; and even some political papers, whose editors stand connected with our opponents in ways known to us, though not known to the public, have joined in the hue and cry. "Report," say they, "and we will report it." Thus the body of our fellow citizens, and of other denominations, have had pressed upon them the most frightful caricatures of our system, calculated to render us truly odious: whilst with a patience of endurance scarcely paralleled, we have submitted almost in silence, though with the means in our power of the most perfect refutation of such deliberate scandals.

The time we believe has come to afford both to the civil and to the religious community of our country, an opportunity to become better acquainted with the true principles of our polity and discipline, as well as with our doctrines; and to rebuke the incessant obloquy of those who heap upon us such perpetual and unfeeling aspersions. This we purpose to do. Indeed it can no longer be avoided, without manifest disobedience to the Divine injunction, not to let our good be evil spoken of. Never were the Methodist ministry, in Europe and in America, and, in fact, through the world, more zealously or more successfully engaged in spreading the gospel of the Redeemer, and in every good work; and never were they more recklessly and shamelessly reviled. It may truly be said, "A great and effectual door is opened to us, and there are many adversaries." Never was there a time, too, when we had greater need of union, and of spurning the foul fiend of strife; because there never was a time when our common enemy more desperately put into requisition every instrument for effecting his grand device, of arraying brother against brother, well knowing

"The sheep he never can devour

Unless he first divide."

We are not ignorant of his devices. But with God's blessing, and his people's prayers and help, we trust to contribute to counteract them.

The obligation of self-defence, we conceive, rests on communities, equally as on families, or on individuals. Indeed on religious communities especially, the obligation is greatly more imperious;

because, with them, multitudes of others are concerned, both of the present and of future generations. A good name is better than precious ointment: and in proportion as we passively submit to the excitement of unjust prejudice against us, in the same ratio may our usefulness be hindered. We trust, nevertheless, that this painful necessity will not always exist; that our opponents may yet be taught to treat us at least with somewhat more courtesy and candour; and that we may gradually be enabled, in our future numbers, to introduce a greater proportion and variety of such matter as shall be more congenial both with our own feelings and with those of our readers. This is our earnest desire, and, grace assisting, shall be our aim.

We are aware that there may be some among our real friends who may differ from us on some points of mere ecclesiastical polity, though entirely agreeing with us in doctrines and discipline, and in all the excellent institutions and means of grace which we so richly enjoy. To such it shall be our effort to give no just occasion of offence; feeling and admitting, as we do, that on such points there may be, among persons otherwise cordially united, a difference of sentiment entirely consistent with the most perfect sincerity and candour. To such a difference, or to the expression of it, whether verbally, in writing, or from the press, however pertinaciously and unblushingly the contrary has been asserted, the Methodist Episcopal Church has never for a moment objected. With this frank avowal in relation to this part of our plan, on which we have purposely been fuller than on others, for the sake of explicit understanding, we trust that no sincere friend of our common cause will feel any hesitancy to patronize this work; as even those of this character who may seem to differ from us on some points, will yet doubtless wish to be rightly informed, to have misunderstandings corrected, and to see our apparent differences as much as possible narrowed down, if not wholly removed. From any of a different character we have little either to hope or to fear. The LORD GOD Omnipotent reigneth; and in HIM we confidently trust.

The present number, though issued somewhat in anticipation, is dated in January, in order that the volume may commence with the commencement of the year. This it is believed will, on the whole, be most convenient and acceptable; and will also afford time for the return of subscription lists previously to the issuing of a second number. The terms are stated on the cover.

OF THE

LATE REV. BISHOP GEORGE.

ACCORDING to accounts already published, Bishop George was born in the year 1767, or '68, in the county of Lancaster, Virginia. He kept no regular journal, but has left a manuscript document, -containing a brief memoir of his life and experience. This account, which appears to have been written at a late period of his life, cannot fail to be interesting to his numerous friends, from whom, by an inscrutable providence, he has been so suddenly and unexpectedly removed. We regret that the bishop's narrative contains no dates, which are so important in all biographies, or other histories. And we take this occasion respectfully to suggest to others, who may hereafter leave memoirs for the edification of their friends, to be careful, as far as possible, to avoid a similar omission. It is due to Bishop George, however, to say, that he seems to have been led to this course from the peculiar circumstance of the destruction of the "family records," which he mentions and laments. This placed it beyond his power to give the date of his birth; and not being able to furnish this, he gave no other. So far as the bishop proceeded in his manuscript, the following memoir will appear nearly in his own words. The Rev. Samuel Luckey, of the New-York Conference, has been engaged to aid in completing it. It is introduced thus:

A CONCISE ACCOUNT OF MY LIFE AND EXPERIENCE, Designed for my children and friends, who may wish to know something of my enjoyments, labours, and sufferings, when I am seen and heard

no more.

THE state of Virginia was the place of my birth and early residence. The precise time and place of my birth I cannot determine; as my father, while I was yet young, was seized with the epidemic spirit of emigration to Kentucky, or the west, which prevailed a that time, and kept him in an unsettled state during his life. Often he determined to make a permanent residence west of the Alleghany, and yet he was unwilling to expose himself and his family to the cruelty of the Indians; waiting in uncertainty for peace, until he became too old and helpless to undertake an enterprise of such magnitude.

I make these remarks with a view to discourage my children and friends from indulging such a restless and discontented disposition; which destroys mental, social, and domestic comfort. "As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place."