April 10, 1789 — to the Subscribers For the Arminian Magazine

The Arminian Magazine was named after Arminius, whose

doctrine of free will became one of the cornerstones of Methodist theology. The following is a preface to The Arminian Magazine, Vol. I, published in Philadelphia, 1787. In this preface Asbury is arguing against the doctrine of election. Over against this he expounds the Methodist doctrine that God loves every man and that Christ died for all. He also criticizes the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. The Arminian Magazine, first Methodist periodical in America, was launched by Asbury and John Dickins at the conference held at McKnight’s meeting house in North Carolina on April 10, 1789. Dickins, who had lived near Halifax, North Carolina, became the first book editor and publishing agent of the church. (See Grissom, History of Methodism in North Carolina, 140, 141.)

NORTH CAROLINA

April 10, 1789

[TO THE SUBSCRIBERS FOR THE ARMINIAN

MAGAZINE]

Brethren and Friends:

We are not ignorant that the Gospel has been preached in the eastern and northern parts of these United States, from the earliest settlement of the country; but this has been done chiefly, though not entirely, through the Calvinistic medium:¹ the consequence of which has been, that the religious books in general which have been circulated in those parts, and in some measure through the southern states, have more or less maintained the doctrines of unconditional election and reprobation—that “GOD is” not “loving to every man,” and that “his mercy is” not “over all his works”; and consequently, that “Christ did” not “die for all,” but only for a small select number of mankind; by the means of which opinions, Antinomianism has insensibly gained ground, and the great duties of self-denial, mortification, crucifixion to the world, and all the other severe but essentially necessary duties of religion, have been too much neglected and despised.

Indeed, we are persuaded there are many professors of religion, who think it exceedingly strange, when any appear as preachers or writers, who believe not the doctrines of unconditional election and reprobation, and, what follows of course, the infallible and unconditional perseverance of all that ever have believed in Christ. However, in this Magazine very different opinions will be defended. We maintain that “GOD willeth all men to be saved,” by speaking the truth in love: by arguments and illustrations, drawn from scripture and reason: proposed in as inoffensive a manner as the nature of the thing will permit: and founded on the wisdom, goodness, mercy, justice and truth of the Almighty, the nature and fitness of things, and the learned and faithful testimony of some of the greatest writers of different ages and nations. Not that we expect it will be read by men of warm spirits and rigid principles. Our title-page alone will be more than enough for such. We wish not to enter the lists of controversy with any particular person. What we aim at, is the benefit and instruction of those for whom we both write and publish, the members of our own society, and the truly-serious and candid of every denomination; as well as to shew from the sentiments of many ancient and modern divines on these polemical points of divinity, that John Wesley, who has so eminently distinguished himself as a writer on the Arminian side of the question, was not more the first maintainer of these doctrines, than George Whitefield was of the doctrines of unconditional election and reprobation, and their consequences.

To this end our Magazine shall contain some of the most remarkable tracts that have been written on the universal love of GOD, and his willingness to save all men from all sin. To these will be added original pieces, written either directly on this subject, or on those which are equally opposed by the patrons of particular redemption.

We know nothing more proper to introduce a work of this kind, than a sketch of the life and death of Arminius: a person with whom those who mention his name with the utmost indignity, are commonly quite unacquainted. It is true, there is no such account of his life extant, as one would expect to be given of so great a man; (at least, none such has come to our knowledge:) but even an imperfect account is better than none, and may serve to remove abundance of prejudice from candid and impartial men.

We desire to guard against all unkind and unchristian reflections nor would we even use the appellation of Calvinist, if it was not for the sake of distinction. Indeed we believe the Calvinistic system has passed its meridian,² and is declining in the Christian church. If we are rightly informed by those who have the greatest opportunity of knowing, it is far from being so popular as some narrow minds would suggest. Whatever was the case in times past, very few now receive it even in Holland. In Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Geneva itself, it is generally rejected: and the case is the same with a large majority in England and Ireland. That the subscribers may not purchase polemical divinity at too great an expense, we shall insert in each number an original sermon³ on subjects curious, critical, interesting and elegant, written by our well-known and much-respected friend John Wesley, (all of them since he has passed the age seventy, and some of them within the last year:) which may convince those who are ignorant of him, that he is not, as some have falsely advanced, in his second childhood; and that his exercising the episcopal office for the forming of our church in America, was not the fruit of infancy in him or in us. And in order to afford our readers a still greater variety, we shall, in the course of our publication, introduce remarkable events, the lives of eminent persons, letters, journals and poetry. The difficulty of communication on this extensive continent obliges us to move on slowly: we shall therefore only publish a volume every other year. And as we find that the universalian system, which is as different from ours as the particular, and is only the velvet part of Antinomianism, (being the unconditional salvation of the whole as the other is the unconditional salvation of a part), has found its numerous votaries, we shall deliver our sentiments on this subject in the course of the work.

But if, after all, any should prejudge us, and esteem our Magazine as a pernicious publication, we beg they will be so kind as to examine every Scripture and argument with justice, reason and revelation, and weigh them faithfully in the balance of the sanctuary, instead of falling on the authors and compilers, while they leave the arguments and scriptures untouched. We do assure the subscribers that the work is undertaken purely to promote the glory of God, and their edification. The profits arising therefrom shall be applied as the wisdom of the Conference shall direct; in carrying on, for instance, our plan of Christian education, or in sending missionaries among the Indians and opening schools for their children. This will we do, if God permit.

But above all, we exhort you to seek truth for its own excellence, as a guard against unchristian tempers and practices. The height of our ambition is to be found in doctrine genuine in experience, holy in our conversation, patient in suffering, and frequent and fervent in prayer. That you may concur with us in these things, is the wish and prayer of your servants for Christ’s sake.

THOMAS COKE,

FRANCIS ASBURY

The Arminian Magazine (Philadelphia, 1787),