PREFACE. ON commencing a new volume, custom renders it necessary either to take a retrospect of the past, or to exhibit a prospectus of the future. We shall concisely advert to both. The intelligence spread before our readers the past year has been of a cheering character, particularly in relation to the Burman Mission. A gratifying measure of success has attended the Missionaries; new and promising fields have opened before them, and the Divine Spirit has accompanied their labors, to the conversion of many of the heathen. The new Missionaries, also, who have recently embarked, exceed in number all who were previously in the field, thus strengthening the hands of our brethren, and cheering their hearts in their arduous services. Efforts for the long neglected sons of Africa have also been renewed, by the appointment and embarkation of a Missionary for Liberia. That these events have been viewed with interest by our readers, is evinced by the pecuniary aid which has been received from various sections of our country, and by Missionary organizations in many places, where efforts had not previously been made. The future assumes a promising aspect, and we commence a new volume with pleasing anticipations in relation to benevolent enterprise. As a foundation has been laid for extended christian efforts in the Burman Empire; as the number of Missionaries has been increased, and as the press is now in operation, by which the word of life may be extensively circulated, more prominent events are anticipated. It will continue to be the object of the Magazine, to give early and copious information of the most interesting events in relation to the Foreign Missions under the patronage of the Board, and also to present condensed accounts of the Missions of other Societies, and of the progress of religion in our own country, and in other christian lands. But although the cause of Missions will constitute a prominent portion of the work, a place will also be assigned to Biographical and Theological Communications, and a general notice of the benevolent operations of the day will be concisely recorded. As the number of subscribers has continued for several years to decline, it is time to speak explicitly in reference to the continuance of the work. The advantage which weekly publications possess over those which are monthly, in furnishing fresh intelligence, is obvious, and operates so directly against their success, that the existence of them is jeoparded. tained and manifested the spirit of piety. His natural disposition was peculiarly amiable, which rendered him interesting to his friends and associates. Indeed, his prudent conduct and lovely demeanor secured the friendship and esteem of all who were acquainted with him. He was possessed of a superior mind, and excelled in correctness of judgment; on which account, his decisions in cases of difficulty were much regarded, even when quite young. He was active in doing good, and sought opportunities of benefiting his fellow-beings, particularly after he had publicly espoused the cause of the blessed Redeemer. He felt a lively interest in Sabbath Schools, in which he was employed for a considerable time as a teacher and superintendent. He was often much impressed with the duty of devoting himself to study with the view of entering the Christian ministry. Having a deep impression of the value of the never-dying soul, and ardent desires to promote the eternal well-being of those who were travelling with him to the world of spirits, he desired to be engaged in that employment in which he could be best prepared to accomplish this desirable object. And those who were acquainted with him, and qualified to judge in relation to this subject, encouraged his impressions, feeling assured that he possessed talents which, with a suitable improvement, and with the blessing of Almighty God, would render him a successful minister of the New Testament. With this object before him, he commenced his studies; his father designing to give him a public education. But, having pursued his studies for a season, his health failed, and he was obliged to relinquish his object. In June, 1826, he was attacked with a fever, and never afterward fully regained his health. In the autumn of the last year, he was obliged to relinquish business, and submit himself to the care of the physician. January last, he left home to visit his friends at Hampton Falls, N. H. from which he never returned. He was suddenly taken more unwell, and continued to fail, till, ripened for heaven, he left the shores of mortality. As his exercises during his last sickness discover so much of the reconciled Christian, trusting in God, and becoming more and more assimilated "to the spirits of just men made perfect," the reader will be presented with a few extracts from his letters, and some expressions which he uttered, describing his feelings at different times. Jan. 25. In a letter to his parents, after speaking of the state of his health, he says: "I hope I shall be enabled to put my trust in the Lord, and rejoice to be in his hands. He reigns; he reigns over me; over my reason, over my senses, over my joys, over my afflictions, over all my actions; he reigns over all, and blessed be his name." 26. To his sisters, who are not professedly pious, he writes : "You are young, but not too young to die, nor to young to love the Lord. Many a time he has called you to give up your hearts to him; he has called you by his word, by the preaching of the gospel, by his providences; and now he is calling you by laying his afflicting rod upon your brother, and reducing him low by disease. aatural disposition ing to his friends vely demeanor acquainted dexcelled isions in ung. ene ed Biographical Sketch of Lucius B. Dodge. 7 He is thus saying to our Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as you think not, the Son of man cometh. lasty's much of the prese's unchang Saviour. He has experienced enjoy tokens of Jehovah The angeable love, and increasing d His friend, who attended him constantly during his "Lucius is highly favored of the Lord, and Jan. 29. of his adoption. adversary is sometimes permitted to dence him, but his trust is firm reposed in the God of salvation. a one probably wish Feb. 5. In few days past. of his brothers, he says: "You will Lep the world, and found my mind released from the enticin given Tuesday: He this afternoon said, "What reason have I to rejoice that I am homonger, Mis, I pity you, because you must continue awhile longer in this world of sorrow, and canno with me wing your way to an eternity of bliss." He spoke much of the Saviour, and the glory of the redeemed. felt a deep interest, after speaking of his earthly prospects being To a number of young friends who visited him, for whom he blasted, he said, "I should be miserable, were it not for the hope I indulge in the mercy of God through Christ, I can now look into the grave with pleasure." He spoke with much feeling of the value of the immortal soul, and the importance of seeking an interest in Christ in the morning of life. Being exercised with cruciating pain, he observes, "I can say with sainted Pearce, himself that he was a pardoned sinner; but since that time the 28. Thursday, he was much tried in mind, and had no evidence Lord has been pleased to show him great kindness. Friday night, he said, I wish to praise my Redeemer for the numberless farbt, e sal which I have been surrounded. I have committed my all into his hands; my trust is in him; I feel safe and happy. Every tie is severed which bound me to earth, and I am only waiting my Sa things temporal, but seems fully to realize that the eternal God is "15. To his brother and sister A. he writes: 'If I should never see you again on earth, I tid you farewell, but I hope not an eternal farewell; for I pray the Lord to prepare you to meet me in heaven.* Remember what I have said, and what Christians say: but above all, remember what God says in his word, 'Except ye repent, ye shall all perish." "23. Sometimes clouds interrupt the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness: but in his path, which is marked out by infinite wisdom, he finds many rills of comfort to sweeten his affliction, and to fill his soul with joy at the glorious prospect of an exit from this state of disappointment, to a world where he shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; where "the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed him, and lead him unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from his eyes." "May 2. He seems to enjoy much of the divine favor. When in distress he has felt happy in the thought that every pain reduced him lower, and brought him nearer his heavenly home." In speaking of his sickness, he observed to a friend, "God is very good to me, Mrs. M. Indeed is there any good which I do not enjoy? The kindest of friends, and even strangers, feel for and sympathize with me; my every look is watched, and every wish is gratified." A few minutes after, he added with animation, "God was very kind and good to me yesterday morning. I awoke from a sweet sleep, and held heavenly communion with him in prayer. O, what a kind Saviour he is—O, precious, precious, most precious!" The following sentences were uttered by him at different times during his sickness, the last of which was one week before his death. "In great distress: but O, happy, happy thought! the Christian will have to die but once: but O, the sinner, the sinner! who is always dying, but never dies!" Several christian friends being present, he expressed a wish that they might accompany him to glory, but immediately added, "I shall soon welcome you into heaven, if I should be so unspeakably happy as to arrive at that blest abode." At another time he said, "O, my sinful life! how many opportunities have I neglected of warning the impenitent! how unfaithful in the cause of truth! But to the Saviour have I looked for pardon, and I hope he has granted my request. On him I rest my all for time and for eternity; and if I should ever be received to heaven, sovereign grace will be my theme to interminable ages." "Welcome pain, welcome death." May 21. "Wednesday morning," his friend observes, "he had a very distressing turn: he considered himself near the eternal world; and after committing himself and all his dear friends into the hands of his heavenly Father, he leaned his head back upon the pillow, and said, 'Dear Saviour, receive my spirit.' In the * This sister has since obtained hope in God, and professed her love 'hrist and his cause before the world. |
