THE METHODIST MAGAZINE, FOR JANUARY, 1818, ADDRESS OF THE EDITORS OF THE METHODIST MAGAZINE, TO ITS PATRONS AND FRIENDS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND ESPECIALLY TO THE MEMBERS OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. IN publishing this periodical Miscellany, the Editors feel all those sensibilities which arise from a conviction that its merits are to be tested under the inspection of an enlightened community. The care and labour inseparable from the agency of the Book Concern, torbid our devoting as much time and application to the selection and arrangement of materials for publication in the magazine, as its nature and importance demand. But, notwithstanding these embarrassments exist, we trust the work will be found both useful and entertaining to the real friends of Zion. The great design of this publication is to circulate religious knowledge,—a design which embraces the highest interests of rational existence, as the sum of individual and social happiness, increases on a scale of proportion with the increase of spiritual light and information... In the execution of this design, the strictest care will be taken to guard the purity and simplicity of the doctrines of the gospel against the innovations of superstition on the one hand, and of false philosophy on the other. In admitting controversial subjects into this work, the heat of party zeal, and personal crimination, will be cautiously avoided. Such contentions have already done great evil in the Christian world, and especially in arming infidels against a religion, the nature and principles of which are calculated to harmonize, improve, and sanctify the human species. Every benevolent mind-every friend of unity and peace-every heart influenced by the social affections-in short, every lover of God and man, will rejoice to see the spirit of party zeal retiring, and giving place to candour, moderation, and charity. The few years of the present century which have already passed away, have opened the most important and. auspicious events, relative to the establishment of the kingdom of Jesus Christ upon earth. The united exertions of thousands of all denominations of Christians to spread the holy scriptures-the unadulterated word of God, savours much of that catholic spirit by which the friends of christianity should always be governed, and furnishes a pleasing prospect of the extensive triumph of evangelical truth. To the accomplishment of such an object we earnestly desire this miscellany may prove an efficient auxiliary. We are aware, that, by many readers, no periodical work will be approved, unless it is replenished with curious tales, wonderful narratives, or miraculous phenomena. With such readers we apprehend this work will meet a cool reception.-Curiosity should be indulged only within the limits of reason, and in such a way as to strengthen moral and religious principles. If the Governor of the universe recognises man as a subject of reason, it follows that faith must be grounded in evidence; and therefore we should consider it as an intrusion upon the rights of an intelligent being, to publish a narrative of any wonderful occurrence without the support of competent testimony. · It should never be forgotten that the age of miracles is past; the ends for which they were.wrought by Jesus Christ and his apostles being accomplished; and that any pretended addition to them rather weakens than strengthens the evidence they afford of the truth and excellency of the christian revelation. These observations are far from being intended to eclipse the lustre of the divine administration as displayed in the dispensations of providence and grace. That the universe, in the whole, and in every part, is governed by infinite wisdom, power, and goodness, is a doctrine which will ever be held sacred by the friends of religion; and will never cease to be a ground of consolation and support to them in the midst of the disorders with which they are surrounded. |