AMERICAN QUARTERLY REGISTER. CONDUCTED BY B. B. EDWARDS AND W. COGSWELL. VOL. XIII. und Vol. 14 PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. BOSTON: PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN, 24 CONGRESS STREET. 1841. 30731 ADVERTISEMENT. THE thirteenth volume of the American Quarterly Register closes with the present number. Among the reasons for the continuance, and for the increased extension of the work, are the following: 1. The general subject of Statistics is occupying the attention of many minds both at home and abroad. The augmented interest, which is felt in this department of science, may be regarded as one of the fruits of an extending civilization, and of the general peace which has prevailed for many years. Men are wisely studying the methods by which they can best understand, develop, classify and use the resources of a country, instead of wasting them in unnatural wars. In our humble way, we wish to co-operate with such laborers. 2. Our efforts have, in many respects, a direct bearing on the great objects for which the American Education Society was founded. The facts which are preserved in the pages of this work constitute, in an important sense, a history of the Christian ministry. They describe its usages, the reasons of its success, the causes of its deficiencies, and the ways in which its good influence may be perpetuated and made universal. Many biographical incidents are recorded from which valuable lessons may be learned by every succeeding generation. Many striking and profitable inferences and reflections might be drawn from the numerous tabular views respecting the successive generations of ministers, which might, at first view, seem to be mere dry and uninteresting lists of names. 3. Whatever is done to illustrate the early ecclesiastical features of our country should be done quickly. Original documents are liable to a thousand accidents. Many inevitably disappear in the lapse of time. He does no unimportant service to the church who rescues them from decay, combines them into order, and presents them in a manuer not unattractive. 4. Not a few of the topics which have come before us are yet but partially handled. We wish to finish, in as complete a manner as may be, what has been commenced. While our own country is peculiarly the field of our investigations, we shall take pains to collect, translate, or condense, as the case may be, whatever may appear valuable, and fitted to our object, in foreign countries. This is becoming more and more feasible by the increased facilities for intercommunication between the new and old worlds. In addition to matters which are strictly statistical, we shall devote, as heretofore, prominent attention to discussions, essays, etc., pertaining to the ministry and ministerial and charitable education. BOSTON, MAY 1, 1841. |