PREFACE.

IN presenting to the public the first Volume of the WESLEYAN METHODIST PENNY MAGAZINE, our thoughts very naturally revert to the promises and professions with which we commenced our labours. We then avowed our intention of furnishing to the Methodist Connexion a Magazine, which, while presenting a condensed summary of intelligence as to the progress of Wesleyan Reform, would at the same time be adapted for family reading, and the requirements of the religious public generally. We must leave our readers to determine the extent to which these promises have been fulfilled. A glance at our Index will serve to show that in catering for their taste an interesting and instructive variety has been steadily kept in view. An effort has also been made to profit by the friendly suggestions which have reached us from time to time, and we may now venture to express the opinion, that the WESLEYAN METHODIST PENNY MAGAZINE will not suffer by comparison with many competitors for public notice of higher price and far greater pretensions. We shall enter upon the labours of the new year with confidence and hope. To our various contributors and supporters we tender our hearty thanks, and earnestly solicit their continued aid, in securing for this Magazine a circulation and an influence worthy of the noble principles and the commanding position of the great Wesleyan Reform Movement.

11, EXETER-HALL,

December 1, 1853.

THE "WESLEYAN REFORMER," to which this new Magazine succeeds, was established originally for the special purpose of meeting the misrepresentations of that Conference organ, the "Vindicator." Having this specific object, its duty of course ceased when its antagonist became defunct. It is now some months since the Book-room issued a Number of the "Vindicator;" why the publication was discontinued, we are not informed. Rumours of the cause have indeed reached our ears, but as such rumours are not sustained by very reliable authority, we shall not care to repeat them. It may, however, be reasonably conjectured that the recklessness of Samuel Jackson and his co-editors, and the unmitigated bitterness in which they were apt to indulge, were deemed highly inexpedient by the "Divan ;" and as these evils could not well be moderated, it is evidently the wiser plan to keep silence, and to refrain from publishing anything at all. In this conjecture we are supported by the fact, that the same policy has been pursued by the other organs of the dominant party. The "Watchman" very occasionally alludes to the agitation, or to the Reformers. It affects great contempt for the whole matter; and from its indifference, would have its readers conclude that the movement had either subsided altogether, or had become an affair purely external to Methodism, and with which the Conference have nothing in the world to do. Such also is the tone assumed by the "Methodist Magazine," and by such pamphleteers as still survive. This withdrawal from the controversy, is a virtual confession of weakness and fear. Why do they decline to meet our arguments? -Why do they encourage a fanatical dread of polemics? Simply because investigation would disclose the fallacies of their position. If they ventured to reason the matter, they would run the risk of themselves becoming converts to Reform,-at any rate, they would jeopardize the passive faith of their "dear people;" and some of them might be led first to doubt, then to disbelieve, and at length to rebel. To avoid so undesirable an issue, the surest plan, according to their notions, is to keep the people in ignorance; and by abstaining from all reference to Reform, to confirm the impression that the movement exists no longer, or has dwindled into feebleness and unimportance.

B

The cessation of the "Vindicator" may not improbably be ascribed to such considerations as these. Whether this be so or not, that periodical has ceased, and the Reformer is therefore no longer required to neutralize its mischievous influence. It is some consolation to remember that the publication which really vindicated the calumniated, and advocated equity and truth, survived by some months its opponent. With these explanations, we have, then, at present done with them both.

It was considered desirable, in order to meet the growing demand for a readable and instructive periodical, to commence the "Wesleyan Methodist Penny Magazine." This little work is not however intended to be merely a continuation of the "Reformer;" it is, in fact, a totally new affair. Reform will not, indeed, be ignored by us; we shall still devote a portion of our pages to the exposition of Reform principles, and to the record of Methodistic events. Reformers, with many exceptions, are not as yet fully indoctrinated with the principles of their movement; it is therefore necessary that these should be kept constantly before them. They may be advocated with more extensiability in the columns of the "Wesleyan Times;" but that being a weekly journal, probably part of its readers bestow no more than a cursory glance at its contents. In the form of a Penny Magazine we may hope to give portableness and permanency to these principles. Our pages can be preserved and conveniently referred to at any time; and we hope that the character of their contents will be such as to entitle the Magazine to the rank of a text-book for Reformers. But the movement in which we are particularly engaged, is not to fill the whole of our space. Matters of collateral and general interest will have their due attention. We need hardly make the usual promises here, or enter into the details of our project. Our readers may easily conceive what is designed, and may fill up the outline we have briefly given at their leisure. Perhaps it would be the better way for them to give us a trial; a few months' perusal will convey a truer notion of the quality and value of our material, than any anticipatory professions can do. We are not appre

hensive that too much will be expected. Every one must know that space so limited as that at our command will not admit of a very wide range of topics to be embraced within its compass. Nor perhaps is this desirable in a small Magazine. That reading which is too desultory and fragmentary becomes pernicious; it injures the mind, not by over-doing and oppressing it, but by distracting, and at length enervating it. Against this evil we hope to guard; at the same time we design to vary the matter so as to keep up the interest, and yet by oneness of aim, compatible with such variety, to promote the profit of our readers.

THE Arminian Magazine was commenced by John Wesley, in the year 1778, and he continued to edit it entirely, or principally, till his death in 1791. One great object in harmony with its title, as he states in his preface to the first volume, was, to assert and defend that glorious doctrine of the Bible" That God willeth all men to be saved "-in opposition to the "decrees" of Calvin.

After the death of Mr. Wesley, it appears that the Magazine was placed under the direction of a Committee, and edited by Mr. Storey, on the same plan as it was left by Mr. Wesley. In the year 1797, the title Arminian was dropped, and the term Methodist introduced. In the year 1804,

Mr. Benson became editor,-which post he sustained till his death, in 1821; when Mr. Jabez Bunting was appointed to that office. A new series was commenced in 1822. The original features of the Magazine were very materially altered; and, in the opinion of many, not for the better. It became after this the exponent and defendant of those unscriptural views of the "Collective Pastorate," which has at last issued in the dismemberment of about 80,000 persons.

The General Wesleyan Reform Committee, acting for and on behalf of, the great body of Wesleyan Reformers, feel it now incumbent upon them: First-To raise from the dust, and restore to their proper places those undying scriptural principles of the Wesleyan Methodist system, which have for so long a period been buried under a heap of Conference rubbish. Secondly-To write upon their banner not only what John Wesley more than a century ago wrote upon his, "To the law and to the testimony," but also PROGRESS; so that when God clears the way, his cheering voice may also be heard: "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward."

The Magazine, as edited by Mr. Benson, was arranged under twelve heads. The Committee, without pledging themselves to adhere strictly to that plan, cannot but think the general features of it good. The Magazine, though only charged One Penny, will contain as much matter as frequently costs sixpence.

It is a fact, patent to every reader of Wesleyan literature, that but little in the periodical form issued from the Book-room is at all popular, and adapted to meet the wants of the people.

The large Magazine, notwithstanding all the efforts made to secure for it an extensive circulation, is sinking. Let any person take up a recent volume and read it, and we are assured he will have but little relish for a second. It is not so with the volumes edited by Mr. Wesley. They are always sought after by the pious and useful members of the body.

The principal object the Reform Committee have in view in publishing the "Wesleyan Methodist Penny Magazine" is, to spread among the people sound religious information, and to counteract the unhallowed effusions circulated by the Conference.

The Portfolio.

"I CAN WORSHIP GOD AT HOME."

IF by this you mean to say that you regard family worship and secret devotions both a duty and privilege, then we fully concur in the sentiment. Every sincere follower of Christ is not only of the same opinion, but practices religion daily and regularly "under his own vine and fig-tree." He feels sincerely grateful for this privilege, and would not wish to be deprived of the blessings and advantages of God among his own familiar household for any earthly consideration. Is he a parent or head of a family? Then he will, like the blessed patriarch of old, assemble the members of his household statedly around the family altar, instruct them in the ways of the Lord, offer up his prayers and thanksgiving in their behalf, and direct all their affairs in an orderly and decent manner. As an individual, the Christian will never lose sight of any of his duties, and will act worthy of his high and holy calling in every respect. He walks circumspectly, uprightly, and