past year, without a solemn conviction of their momentous character as "signs of the times," and indications of those movements in the spiritual world which may be described by the language employed in reference to a portion of the apocalyptic vision,-" These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." The grand war with the Lamb, perhaps the final one, is commenced; and whatever, in his royal power, He shall Himself do, his called, and chosen, and faithful associates have to labour in his cause with the instrumentality which alone they may employ, and which they are commanded to employ. The two grand forms of error, now assailing the Lamb in his Church, are, POPERY, undisguised or disguised, Roman or English; and INFIDELITY, whether avowed, as on the Continent, or covert, as professing to prefer charity to creeds, and to respect all religions equally. Against these, the true antagonist is SPIRITUAL RELIGION,-in the doctrines from which it can never be separated, and in the experience in which the influence of those doctrines is felt and manifested. Even the secular disturbances which have, during the last year, been so mischievous, are portions of the "war with the Lamb." Despotism and Anarchy come from Popery and Infidelity. And for these there is only one cure. By Spiritual Religion it can be effected; but, let men try as they will, it can be effected by nothing else, and attempts on any other principle will only exasperate the evil. To promote this spiritual religion is the duty officially allotted to the Editors of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine. They earnestly hope that, during the year which is opening before them, they will be encouraged by an extension of their monthly Numbers among a larger list of subscribers, assisted by the prompt and energetic labours of their correspondents; so that all together may enjoy the blessing resulting from being FELLOW-HELPERS TO THE TRUTH." November 17th, 1848. THE WESLEYAN-METHODIST MAGAZINE, FOR 1848: BEING A CONTINUATION OF THE ARMINIAN OR METHODIST MAGAZINE; FIRST PUBLISHED BY THE REV. JOHN WESLEY, A. M. FOURTH SERIES. VOL. IV.-PART I. VOLUME LXXI. FROM THE COMMENCEMENT. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY JOHN MASON, WESLEYAN CONFERENCE OFFICE, 14, CITY-ROAD; |