To return from this digression, into which we have been imperceptibly drawn, we present our particular acknowledgments to all, of whose labors we have been enabled to avail ourselves. A great proportion of the interest, which our work may have excited, and of the effects, which it has produced, must be ascribed to the generous aid derived from contributors of original matter. It is proper here to remark, that the public seem to be by no means aware of the influence, capable of being exerted by a periodical publication. When they shall be duly impressed with this subject, and shall call into action the concentrated talents of all in our country, who espouse the cause of sound theology, pure morals, and enlarged benevolence, it will be seen what surprising results may be accomplished by truth, argument, and Christian zeal. In reviewing our work, we have endeavored to place before the mind all the considerations, which serve to explain or enforce the great responsibility of one, who writes for the public. How much we are deceived as to our motives, or our object, it is not in our own power, or that of any human tribunal, exactly to determine. We can declare, however, without the least reserve, that we have always intended to act, in reference to every thing published in our pages, with entire Christian integrity, so far as we have been able to judge of our motives. When the case required it, we have given great deliberation to the question whether we should publish, and whether the manner, as well as the matter, could be justified. Whenever facts have been stated, or opinions with respect to facts have been given, the most satisfactory evidence has been required. We know not that the Panoplist has ever been seriously assailed, except by those, who class themselves under the general denomination of Unitarians. By them, indeed, the most vehement charges have been made. Some of these charges have been refuted formally, and at length. For the consideration of others we have had no time. In reference to all these charges, we are satisfied, that an impartial judge would pronounce them without foundation. In some instances the facts, which we had asserted, have been denied; but, in no instance, that we can recollect, has this denial been supported. We are certain, that no case of intentional misrepresentation can be made out against us; because no such case has existed. In regard to those passages, in our various controversies with Unitarians, which were thought to bear hard upon individuals, we can aver, that they were written from considerations of a public nature, and not from any unkindness to the persons concerned, nor any wish to excite unpleasant feelings. In discharging what we deemed to be a serious duty, we always endeavored to take care, that no individual, and no party, should have just occasion to complain of our representations; and we are not convinced, that this care was ever insufficient, or ineffectual. Harsh and violent things have been said of our work and our motives; but we harbor no resentments, and pray that we and our opponents, may view things as they really are, and as they will be viewed, when every delusion shall cease, and unmixed truth shall be seen and acknowledged. We should not have mentioned this subject, were it not for the plain obligation, which rests upon every writer, to retract former opinions or assertions, which he has found to be erro. neous. At the close of this work, the public have a claim to know what we think of those passages, which have been particularly obnoxious, and on which the lapse of years has enabled us to form a deliberate judgment. After the general declaration of upright motives, which we have made, we would by no means intimate, that we have ever thought ourselves exempt from the influence of passion and prejudice. To these causes of error we have doubtless been more or less exposed; but we have attempted to guard against them, and hope they have not operated to any very injurious extent. The present Editor has superintended the publication of the last eleven volumes. Much of the original matter was written by himself and for nearly all the rest he avows the fullest responsibility. During some periods of absence on account of ill health, be did not see all the articles, which were published; but he is not aware that any of these were the subject of animadversion. In bidding our readers farewell, we most unfeignedly wish them happiness in this world and the world to come. If they have derived any benefit from our humble services, we would be thankful, and ascribe to God the praise; if they have, in any respect been led astray, we would regret it, and desire that any inadvertence, or any fault, of ours may be forgiven, and no permanent evil result from it. Soon must we and our readers, appear before the judgment seat of Christ. May we be pardoned by his blood, clothed in his righteousness, and admitted to his kingdom and glory. INDEX TO THE PRINCIPAL MATTERS CONTAINED IN THIS VOLUME. mate danger of servile insurrection, 485 509 191 468 Brainerd, journal of the mission at, 82, Byron's poetry, remarks on, Capital punishment inefficacious, Ceylon mission;-letter from the mission- Charities, conductors of, 500 212 304 155 521 109 246 Cheltenham (Eng) mendicity Society, 308 Cherokees, See Brainerd. Children in India with assigned names, 143 282 Choctaw Chiefs, their letter to the Rev. 379 Bible, translation of into Chinese, by Dr. Bible Society, British and Foreign, 16th Chaule, tour of Mr. Hall to, 29 478 Blacks in this country,on the condition of, Christianity in India, progress of, 41- -- should have elevated views, 255 97 100 502 263 Graves, Rev. Allen, his journal at Ma- Consecrations, . 166 158 369,409 ed with respect to Christian exertions, Hall, Rev. Gordon, his visit to Choule, 29 Harrowby, Lord, speech of before the Bi- $15 Hawtrey, Rev. C. S. letter from, 286 Heathen world, aspect of, Death, on the desire of, 445 Death-bed repentance, 5 Deuteronomy, chapter 28th, explanation of, 386,433 259 Dissimulation, artifices of, Disinterested benevolence, Divine displeasure, marks of in the pres- 1051 9 Highlands of Asia, temperature of, Huntington, Rev. Joshua, Memoir of, - 529 Indiana and Illinois, missionary labors in, 224 Education, importance of, 394-govern- Faith necessary to the Christian life, Fisk, Rev Pliny. See Palestine mission. among, Jews, an Address to, 385-cause of their Jowett, Rev. William, his letter to Dr. Kadin Yar Khan, hopeful conversion of Lexington, (Ken.) meteorological observ- 337 209 263 455 149 393 128 466 461 516 548 $65 576|| Legislators, corrupt notions of, 106 Gabriel Tissera, religious concern of, 174 ations at, 403 152 Lowth on Isaiah, criticism on, 147 307 INDEX. 371 Ook-tib-be ha, journal of Mr. Kingsbury at, 40 Orphans, on the condition of, 535 of, Massachusetts Missionary Society, address of the Trustees of, 167-donat. to, 323 Mather, Rev. Cotton, extracts from his 262,344,406,450,496 diary, Memoir of the Rev. Joshua Huntington, 529 Mendicity, thoughts on, Merchant Seamen's Bible Society, Missionary reinforcements, 115 240 296 Missions, on the continent of Europe, Missouri, missionary labors in, 294 103 125 286 199 vii - 365 Palestine Mission, liberal donation to, 96 238 Panegyric, a specimen of, ib.-American people opposed to Paramanundu, Nicholas, hopeful conver- Parsons, Rev. Levi, letter from, 575. See 509 278 Pennsylvania, missionary labors in, 219 155 · 255 191 Plainfield, Con. revival of religion at, Poor, Rev. Daniel. See Tillipally. Property, on the fluctuations of, con . 513 453 . 433 506,553 56 368 Prudential Committee, address of, 136-- Public festivals, thoughts on, Ram Narrain, a Hindoo bramhun, some Readers, address to, 470 - 357 255 · 49 5 Report of the Prudential Committee of A. B. C. F. M. 466 Reveries, reflections on, 348|| 218 198 New-York,(state of,)missionary labors in, 506,556 .340 Review, of Worcester's Elements of Geo- Sandera Sakaren, religious concern of, Sandwich Islands, mission to, the Thaddeus spoken, 48-Mr. Bingham's letter 91-brief review of the mission, Scriptures, a translation of at Bombay, Sicard's system of signs founded on na 220 ture, 585 177 569,570 512 SEVERAL years since we offered three premiums to writers in a volume of the Panoplist; and the offer was continued, by implication, to writers in three succeeding volumes. These premiums were adjudged to writers in the tenth and eleventh volumes, and the adjudications were published, immediately after they were made. In reference to the two later volumes, the adjudication has been delayed till quite recently, because we could not find three geatlemen, of suitable qualifications, at leisure to look over the volumes and decide. The conditions were, that pieces written by the Editor, or either of the judges, were not to be candidates for the premiums; and that the only rule of judging should be, the tendency of the pieces to do good. Under these restrictions, the premiums to writers in the twelfth volume were as follows: The premium of twenty-five dollars to the best prose composition was adjudged to the writer of the Essay, which was published in our numbers for May and June 1816, On the manner in which the Scriptures are to be understood; the premium of fifteen dollars for the best piece of poetry, to the writer of The Lord's Day Morning, in the number for June; and that of ten dollars, for the second best prose composition, to the writer of the Essays on the Sabbath, in the numbers for January and March. The writer of the first of these pieces was the late lamented Dr. DWIGHT; of the poetry, the Rev. WILLIAM JENKS, of Boston; and of the other prose composition, the Rev. HEMAN HUMPHREY of Pittsfield. To the writers in the thirteenth volume, the premiums were awarded as follows: That of twenty-five dollars to the writer of the series of papers, six in number, entitled, Theological Remarks; that of fifteen dollars to the writer of Tears of Penitence, which was published in the number for June 1817; and that of ten dollars, to the writer of Familiar Sermons. We are not sufficiently certain who the writer of Theological Remarks is, to mention his name in this public manner. The writer of the poetry is totally unknown to us. The Rev. WILLIAM L. STRONG, of Somers, Con. wrote the Familiar Sermons. To the writers who are known, the premiums will be sent without application. If the others are not applied for within a year, they will be considered as relinquished. |