We this day greet you, brethren, with the first number of the Quarterly. You expect, and justly no doubt, that this number should be accompanied with some remarks indicative of the ends and objects we have in view.
The question, shall we have a Quarterly? was felt to be far too serious a one to be settled hastily, and by a single mind. Consequently, it has been long under consideration; has been widely submitted to the brotherhood, and has now been pronounced upon by them with the most flattering unanimity. It being at length believed that the question should be affirmatively decided, the present number is the first fruit of that decision. Some of the grounds on which the discussion was made may be here stated.
The chief of these certainly was the strong desire felt to increase our facilities as much as possible, for laying before the age in which we live, the claims of Primitive Christianity. With us these claims were paramount; hence the desire to give them the widest possible circulation swayed our decision, more than every other consideration besides. The highest distinction, then, to which the Quarterly aspires, is to contain a clear, true statement, and just defense of Christianity as taught in God’s holy word. Should it, even in a small degree, prove to be successful in this, its highest aim will have been realized. On its opening page, then, we dedicate it to the uncorrupted Gospel of Christ, and to that noble body of saints who, for the last forty years, have been laboring for its restoration to the world.
Another ground for the decision was the belief that a very general want exists among us a people, for a larger medium of thought than we yet have. Neither our Monthlies nor our Weeklies can afford the space requisite for those elaborate and completed discussions which the cause of truth at times requires. A due regard to variety often compels these publications to be far too brief in their articles, to treat their subjects serially, and hence in each piece partially. This is often felt to be a source of [1] annoyance to the writer, if not of detriment to the truth, and of mischief to the reader. Against this evil it was felt to be highly necessary to make such provision as a quarterly affords. We as a people certainly need, at this time, the grave medium of a quarterly through which we may, without any hiatus in our articles, give measured expression to our thoughts.
Again, it is an admitted fact, that among us, far too few of our brethren are cultivating themselves as writers. Many of them think soundly, and very many speak well; but, with few exceptions, they are not writing. This, with some, is owing to the fact that have no eligible and available channel of communication. They are unwiling that their labors shall perish almost in the week in which they appear; hence they are not writing for our weeklies. Neither are they writing for our leading monthly. Indeed, they are simply not writing at all. Through the Quarterly, then, we hope to afford them the opportunity of rendering themselves not less useful as writers than they now are as speakers.
The preceding constitute some of the grounds on which it was decided to publish the Quarterly. In stating them we have also indicated, to some extent, the objects we have in view. We may here further remark, that it is not proposed, as a chief end, to make the Quarterly a literary work. On the contrary, while it will certainly not be indifferent to literary matters, its leading purpose will be, to become eminently a religious journal. It will aim to speak, not merely for the gifted and elite, but for the great heart of mankind. To the sinner it hopes to bear, in earnest manly phrase, a message of truth and mercy; to the Christian one of instruction and comfort.
While the Quarterly will reserve to itself the right to speak without restraint or fear on all those questions which so solemnly involve the interests of humanity, it will yet aim to be no bigot; but in the exercise of a discreet charity, hopes to award to others the amplest room for free thought, and full discussion. Its pages will be at all times open to those who wish to oppose, as well as to those who may wish to defend, what we conceive to be the truth. It invites a dignified and courteous discussion of all matters upon which Protestants differ—especially of those held by all to be important. Particularly will its pages be open to Baptists and Pedo-baptists to oppose, where they dissent from us, or to defend, where we dissent from them. They believe us to be seriously, if not fatally, in error. We now tender them space and opportunity to state the grounds of that belief.
Heretofore we as a people have, in the main, contented ourselves with merely stating and defending our own positions, [2] devoting but little attention to those of others, except where they stood in the way of truth. This policy we henceforward change. We expect now to put our opponents to the proof of their tenets. It is one thing to excite a clamor against an adverse party, and quite another thing to construct sufficient proofs of our own cause. Our opponents have shown themselves masters of the former work; we wish them to try their skill in the latter.
The Quarterly will also contain an occasional biographical sketch of some true man, the materials of whose life are identified with the Reformation for which we are pleading. Indeed, in almost every number of the work, we hope to furnish something of the sort. Thereby we may preserve a name from perishing, and do no more than justice to the worth of some noble worker in the great field in which we toil. The history of the mighty work in which we are engaged, is, to some extent, bound up in the history of our public men. Hence, in a record of their names and deeds, we shall often preserve an important historic link.
We shall also, now and then, treat our readers to a narrative of highly important or exciting local incidents; chiefly, however, where they may serve to illustrate the triumphs of truth, or the workings of a mysterious providence. In this way we hope to preserve many incidents and anecdotes far too important to be lost, though in some sense strictly local. To some these themes may seem not altogether suited to the pages of a quarterly. To such we would say, the history of the Reformation we are seeking to effect may one day be written, possibly, by a no very friendly hand. Should such be the case, how many a slander will then rest on some, at the time, forgotten local incident. We consequently wish to preserve as many of these as possible, that we may have in our power, should the time ever come to use them, the means of correction.
The Quarterly will also contain reviews of such books as, appearing from time to time, may demand special notice. These, however, will be confined mostly to such works as bear on the great cause in which we are engaged.
A word to our brethren and we are done. The Quarterly is an experiment. As such, it has claims upon your indulgence and charity. It does not assume to be exempt from defects. Only in its motives does it claim to be free from all ground of charge. Will you, then, be patient, and allow it time to correct those defects; will you be indulgent until it has attained the age at which, with reason, it may be expected to have remedied them? If so, we shall ask no more.
A strong body of able brethren, in the early prime of life, has [3] been engaged to furnish regular contributions to its pages. Their hearts are in the work. As for the humble name which appears as its editor, he has staked his all upon it. But, brethren, the hungry bird cannot sing; nor is even the humble hen expected to dig without strength. The Quarterly cannot live without your support.
Moses E. Lard.
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[Volume I: September, 1863]
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