THIS volume however deficient in other respects, has the most powerful recommendation, novelty. Even to the numerous members of the church which in this country has been formed by the ministers in connection with the late Mr. WESLEY, the events of his life are very imperfectly known; and the Christian professors of other sects hold opinions of the founder and nature of Methodism, so inaccurate, that this history has been ardently desired,-to impart information to the Societies, and to correct illiberal mistakes.

The Christian feels a peculiar interest in the portrait of those men and gospel ministers, whose piety "like a city set upon a hill, could not be hid" whose example so luminously shone among men "that others seeing their good works, glorified their Father who is in heaven;" whose zeal for the Redeemer animated them to surmount every difficulty to propagate that heavenly doctrine, "zwhich is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save even the chief of sinners ;" and whose perseverance and efforts, aided by the Spirit of God, were crowned with unusual success; "numberless sinners being converted from darkness to light,

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and from the power of Satan to God" by their instrumentality. Such memoirs are the most instructive and valuable species of writing: combining every advantage which good examples pr duce; and encouraging all resolutely to pursue the path which leads to eternal life.

The excellence of History and particularly of Biography consists in an impartial and exact relation of facts, and in a clear delineation of individual character; in which the failings that are incident to our nature are not misrepresented and increased by malignant prejudices; and in which the virtues and talents that adorn man, are not made the subject of that panegyrick, which renders the truth of the statement questionable, and which generates doubt instead of effecting conviction.

The strongest reliance may be placed upon the authenticity of the materials from which this biographical narrative of Mr. Wesley has been composed. His life written by Dr. Whitehead; Dr. Coke and Mr. Moore's Life; Mr. Hampson's Memoirs; Mr. Benson's Apology for the Methodists; Mr. Myles' Chronological History of · Methodism; Mr. Atmore's Methodist Memorial; The Arminian and Methodist Magazines; Mr. Wesley's Journals, Sermons and works; The Minutes of the British Conferences; The Life of Mr. Whitefield and the Life of Mr. Fletcher, have all been used.

The sketch of American Methodism which I ve added, will be acceptable to all those who have y desire to know the progress and the extent of e diffusion of the “ glorious Gospel of the blesd God," by the Methodist Church in the United ates. It comprises several new documents with spect to the first introduction of Mr. Wesley's sciples into this country. Bishop Asbury's Jourals, with the various journals and lives of the Methodist ministers which have been published, nd the doctrines and discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church have been consulted.

To the politeness of a friend I am indebted for he letters signed T. T. and T. B. and for the apendix to Mr. Atmore's Methodist Memorial: and everal intelligent members of the society having communicated the result of their researches, I have been enabled to furnish additional intelligence to that with which some may already be acquainted.

From the annual minutes of the Conferences, I have framed a table which exhibits the gradual dissemination of divine truth by the exertions of the Preachers, the number of God's servants who are and have been engaged in the holy and arduous employment of blowing the evangelical trumpet-and the success which has accompanied their labours by the returns of the members in the Societies.

I make no apology for the manner in which this work is executed. It required no colouring, it demanded no painting and artificial dress to recommend it: its own intrinsic value and excellence will introduce it where the gospel is beloved, and where Christian ministers are esteemed.

The Life of MVesley will, I hope, expand the hearts of all those who may study it, and the brilliancy of his example stimulate them to "follow him as he followed Christ." If it confirm the resolution of one drooping Christian, and if it convince one soul only who is now a stranger to the blessed Redeemer; the best of all objects will be promoted and if the Author's defects be concealed by the strength of faith, hope, joy, humility and penitence, which it is calculated to excitemuch benefit will be derived from this display of the real character of Mr. Wesley, and the genuine nature of Methodism.

Baltimore, June 13, 1807..

MR.

Mr. John Wesley, Senior.

R. WESLEY's grandfather John Wesley was a nonconformist minister, and one of the worthies ejected by the act of uniformity from his living in Dorsetshire. After having encountered numberless difficulties and trials, a gentleman who owned a house at Preston, gave him the use of it free of any charge for rent; and there he continued until he was released from this vale of tears to dwell where Jesus reigns in glory. His residence in that village led to the formation of a connection with a society of Christians as their Pastor at Poole, in which relation he ministered to them until the day of his death: and although he shewed all possible prudence in the management of his meetings-he was often disturbed, several times apprehended, and four times imprisoned. He died about the year 1670, previous to his father's dissolution, who had also been expelled from his pastoral functions, and who was so much affected with the loss of his son, that he did not long survive him.

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