PREFACE. THE following Appeal has, I trust, been made in the fear of God, and with an eye to his glory. It is with a deep feeling of responsibility to God, the Church, and the world, that it is now committed to the public. It is more particularly designed, as its title indicates, for the M. E. Church; though in consequence of the identity of anti-slavery principles, the greater portion of it will be found to contain matter of general interest. The Anti-Slavery discussion forms a new era in the history of the M. E. Church. The principal facts and arguments connected with this discussion, should have a more permanent existence than that of newspaper articles; and I doubt not, the time will come, when a repository containing such matters will be highly valued. The "Wesleyan Anti-Slavery Review" will be published again in 1839 and 1840, unless some unforeseen circumstance should prevent it. The present number contains matter enough to fill a common sized octavo volume of from 300 to 400 pages. The publication of this work was not determined upon till a short time before it was commenced. Should it be continued, more attention will be paid to future numbers. The next number will contain more matter of general interest, though it will be suited to the discussion in the M. E. Church. The history of this discussion will be continued in future numbers, and new and important topics will be introduced. Two numbers more will make a volume of about 450 pages, which will contain more matter than two common sized octavo volumes of 500 pages each. Such a volume will be of consequence hereafter. Those who wish for the work complete, will do well to preserve this, as they may not be able to obtain it hereafter. But for the refusal of the Advocate to admit articles candidly and temperately written, from abolitionists, when they have been misrepresented and abused, this work would have had no existence. It is anti-abolition which has produced it, and the same cause has produced Methodist Anti-Slavery Conventions also! This Appeal embodies many important facts-facts which will be found very convenient for reference, and which could not have been obtained without going over a host of newspapers, and not a few books. The labor of collecting and arranging them, has been by no means a small matter. The next number of the Review will contain a multitudinous array of FACTS, touching slavery-the treatment of the slaves-safety of emancipation, &c. &c.; and the third number will contain a copious index to the volume, should the work be continued. For the sentiments contained in this Appeal, the author alone is responsible; though he believes them to be the sentiments of Methodist abolitionists genererally. A portion of the original matter in some of the articles, has been published through other mediums; but the whole has been remodelled, and it is believed improved. The extracts (to say nothing about the original matter) interspersed through the work, are very valuable. Those contained in Part I. are alone worth the price of the work. The examination of ancient and modern Methodism, brings many important facts to view. The Southern testimony, on pages 22 and 23— the extracts from the Synod of Kentucky-and the extracts from letters of Methodist preachers, with which the first part closes, (some of which have not been before published,) are all worthy of a second, and even a third reading. Those who can have patience to plod through the article on the last General Conference, will find the doings of that body, and their "Reviewer," placed in their true light. The misrepresentations which have abounded on this subject, have made it necessary to go into a thorough examination of this affair. Those who desire a correct view of the subject, will please give this article a careful perusal. That those who have lavished their misrepresentations heretofore, will cease from this practice at once, is too much to hope. It may, therefore, be expected that this and other parts of the work will be attacked. But let whatever may be said against it, be carefully compared with the statements it contains, and I have no fear as to the result of any attacks, however illiberal and unfair they may be. The subject of "Conference Rights" is important to the vital interests of Methodism, and it has become identified somewhat with the anti-slavery discussion in the M. E. Church-though any decision respecting that matter does not necessarily affect the great question of the emancipation of the slaves, which, above all others, should be constantly kept in view. I make no apology for the lengthy extracts which I have inserted from Rev. Messrs. G. F. Cox and T. MERRITT, on this subject. The arguments which they contain are unanswered and unanswerable. This Appeal has been prepared in view of the day of final accounts. The author expects to give an account for this, as well as all his other acts, at the judgment seat of Christ. He does not pretend that he has used, in every instance, the best words-though he has not intended to be unnecessarily severe. It is true he has used " great plainness of speech," but he has nowhere, he thinks, impeached the motives of any brother. At any rate, he has not intended. to do this. Imperfect as the work is, it is submitted to the public with a willingness, that, however it may be received at present, posterity should criticize its arguments, and sit in judgment upon its most severe and pointed expressions. Lowell, March 30, 1838. O. SCOTT. |