PREFACE. THE Conductors of the Evangelical Magazine have now the pleasure of presenting to their readers the THIRTIETH VOLUME of a Work which has been supported by the kindness of their Patronage, to a degree almost unparalleled; for which the tribute of their grateful acknowledgment is once more sincerely tendered. With this Volume they bring to a conclusion the FIRST SERIES of their Miscellany, intending to commence the SECOND with the beginning of the next Year; and proposing to introduce such additional improvements as will, they trust, secure, even in an augmented degree, the encouragement of the Evangelical Public. In the epithet Evangelical, although with many a term of reproach, it is confidently presumed that the readers of this Magazine will continue to glory; and its Editors embrace this opportunity of assuring them, that it shall be their assiduous study to render the Publication not undeserving of that honourable title. In their future Numbers, as in their former Volumes, they will be solicitous to avoid party feelings and sectarian prejudices; wishing to embrace, as far as is practicable in the present state of things, all the Classes of professing Christians comprehended in the Apostolical benediction, even "All who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." It is unnecessary at this moment to expatiate on the course which has been pursued for Thirty Years-on the powerful excitement which has been given to the philanthropic enterprises which during that period have been originated-on the numerous alleviations of distress, which the distribution of more than TEN THOUSAND POUNDS, arising from its Profits, has conveyed to the indigent Widows of pious and devoted Ministers of the Gospel-or on the liberal aid afforded to Missionary Societies. To considerations such as these we propose to invite the attention of our readers in our next Number, which will exhibit to their view a GENERAL RETROSPECT of the Work, from its commencement to the present time... AND MISSIONARY CHRONICLE. JANUARY 1822. MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. SAM. WORCESTER, D.D. SENIOR PASTOR OF THE TABERNACLE CHURCH, SALEM, AND CORRESPONDING SECRETARY OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR SELL FOREIGN MISSIONS. (Copied, chiefly, from the American Missionary Herald.) ELDOM, we believe, has the Missionary cause sustained so great a loss as by the death of Dr. Worcester; and the friends of that cause in Britain cannot but sympathize with their trans-Atlantic brethren on that mournful occasion. We think it a debt due to the memory of so eminent and useful a minister of Christ, to present to our readers a brief Memorial of that excellent man, that God may be glorified for the gifts bestowed upon his faithful servant, and that others may be excited to imitate his admirable example. We do not observe in the various American publications which have reached us, any particular account of his early life; but we find that he received his education for the ministry at Dartmouth College, where he graduated in the year 1795. He first entered upon his pastoral work at Fetchburgh, where he continued for several years a faithful and laborious minister of the Gospel. In the year 1802 or 1803 he was called to take the oversight of the Tabernacle Church and congregation in Salem, in the state of Massachusetts. The people of his charge were numerous, and their circum stances such as to require a more than ordinary share of wisdom and fidelity in their pastor. They hoped much from his prudence, his sound judgment, and his evangelical labours; nor were their hopes disappointed. How unweariedly he filled the office of a pastor and preacher,how sedulously he consulted the spiritual interests of his flock, -how tenderly he discharged the duties ofa comforter and adviser,-and how kindly he felt toward the rising generation,-can be adequately described by none but those who were intimately conversant with him, while in the regular performance of parochial service. It is well known to many others, however, that he possessed, in an eminent degree, those qualities which are necessary to build up a church, and which greatly endear an able and faithful minister to his people. In a community where occasions of consultation on great public objects are frequent, the man who unites practical wisdom with energy and benevolence will not long remain undiscovered; and the homage which is paid to upright intentions under the direction of a superior understanding, will not long be withheld from him. Such a man will never lack employment. Though the labours to which he will be most invited will offer no emolument, and will be attended and followed by many cares and sacrifices, yet there are powerful reasons why he should do what he can for the peace and edification of the church, the extension of divine knowledge, and, in general, for the removal of ignorance and sin, and the full establishment of the Redeemer's kingdom. At the formation of the Massachusetts Missionary Society, which took place soon after his settlement in the ministry, Dr. W. was enrolled among its members. By his regular attendance at the annual meetings, his share in the public deliberations of the Society, his contributions to its funds, and his influence with his own people, he essentially promoted the success of the institution. At an early period he was chosen one of the Trustees, to which office he was annually re-elected till 1819, when, in consequence of the vacancy occasioned by the Rev. Dr. Spring's death, he was chosen President. This proof of affection and confidence was twice repeated. While a Trustee, he faithfully discharged the office of Secretary, during five or six years, and was punctual and diligent in attending meetings for the transaction of business. To the appointment of missionaries, the assignment of fields of labour, and the adoption of measures for directing and increasing the Society's resources, no member could have been more attentive. His surviving associates will never forget the aid and pleasure which his presence always gave them, and succeeding generations in our new settlements will have occasion to remember with gratitude the wisdom of his counsels, and the extent of his benevolence. The sermon which he preached before the Society in 1809, holds a distinguished place among the many excellent discourses which similar occasions have called forth. A friend to the promulgation of the Gospel among the destitute, he was of course a friend to the universal distribution of the Bible. He aided in the formation of the Massachusetts Bible Society, and of the Bible Society of Salem and the vicinity. The American Education Society furnished another field for the expansion of his enlarged desires, and the display of his beneficent activity. The want of competent religious teachers, both for the supply of our own population and the preaching of the Gospel to the heathen, had become so apparent, that concentrated efforts began to be made in the years 1814 and 1815, for the prevention of a calamity so awful as a famine of the word of the Lord. Among those who saw most clearly and felt most deeply the need of new and extraordinary exertions, suited to the emergency of the case, was the excellent man whose character we are attempting to describe. He was present when the constitution of the Education Society was adopted, and held the office of a Director till his increasing labours and his threatening infirmities compelled him to decline a re-election, in the fall of 1819. The great reason why he consented to serve in the stations just described, after his cares and labours had become numerous and overwhelming, was, that he might show by his example as well as by his declarations, that he considered the cause of missions as one, wherever the place of operations might be. Did the destitute settlements of our frontiers call for the exercise of charity? During 20 years of his life he was occasionally employed in devising, obtaining, and directing the means of supply. Did the wretched con |