EMBRACING THE HISTORY AND PRESENT CONDITION OF ITS VARIOU WITH A DEFENCE OF ITS DOCTRINAL, GOVERNMENTAL, BY REV. JAMES PORTER, D. D., AUTHOR OF "THE TRUE EVANGELIST," "REVIVALS OF RELIGION," ETO. "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”—Paul, TWENTIETH EDITION. New York: PUBLISHED BY CARLTON & PORTER 200 MULBERRY-STREET. PREFACE. IN offering this volume to his Wesleyan brethren, the author deems it appropriate to mention some of the considerations that have influenced him in its publication. One is, that many of the difficulties which have occurred in the church owe their existence to misapprehension. Most of the attempts at revolution are attributable to this cause. Had the reformers been better acquainted with the various church arrangements of different sects, and especially of their own, they would have remained quiet and useful members. But they imagined evils that never existed, and conceived beautiful schemes, that, in their opinion, would open a better era; not knowing that similar experiments had repeatedly proved unsuccessful in abler hands. Besides, many fail to work our plan as effectually as they might, for the want of a proper understanding and appreciation of it. And to this we may add, that much of the prejudice of other sects against us is attributable to the same general cause. They have no just conception either of our system or their own, and know little of our operations or success. The object of the writer has been to adapt himself to this state of things, and present a view of the whole subject, sufficiently full and comprehensive to supply the information necessary, in a singlə volume of moderate size and expense. If he has succeeded as he intended, the thousands of young people who annually join us on trial, will be able, by reading it, to get quite an idea of our history, doctrines, government, and prudential economy, the points of difference among Methodists, — and the grounds of their dissent from older denominations. Thus they will be prepared, on Sho and to maintain our peculiarities agai with which they may be assailed. read it, we trust it may rectify their n that charitable consideration of our claim 66 66 The materials for the work have bee authentic sources. We have derived the Life of Mr. Wesley, and his Works Dr. Bangs' History of the M. E. Church of Christ," and Stevens' C statistics we are considerably indebted author of a popular Missionary Chart re cost us great labor and perplexity, bu they form the most perfect exhibit of M There is, however, a little disparity bet 194 and some of the numbers give This is attributable to the fact that the stereotyped, and gives the statistics for to, instead of those for 1850. The c has been transcribed from books, period and private manuscripts. Our aim has in its true character and relations-no successful the effort may prove, it canno sense of the intrinsic excellence of the tions of society to it for the civil and rel page Finally, we commend the work to th Methodists. Please to read it carefully, udiced neighbors. It may correct som mote better feelings. If any are thinki into other church relations, it may lead t are more needed, or can be more useful. accompany it, and make it the instrume BOSTON, SEPT. 1, 1851. |