but one volume, inserting still larger documents, including nearly an entire copy of the Discipline; I have added to their materials enough to make, with no slight condensation, two volumes. These additional materials have mostly come to light since the publication of the works of my predecessors. I flatter myself that their importance, aside from their popular interest, will justify my attempt to provide this new narrative of our early history. I have had to meet one somewhat invidious necessity-the correction of not a few errors, especially chronological mistakes, in our primitive documents and in some of my historical predecessors. I must doubtless bear similar criticism, if my work shall be deemed worthy of it; and I shall heartily welcome it, especially if it shall be conducted with the candor and cordiality which I have endeavored to exemplify. Our early records are so defective, they were printed with such apparent haste, and many of the events I have narrated are so incoherently given by them, that it can hardly be presumed I have not made grave mistakes. To the many students of our denominational history, in all parts of the country, I look for such corrections as shall enable me, hereafter, to rectify largely my pages. I have thus, my dear friend, taken advantage of your name and confidence to say many things, unusual in a preface, and liable, perhaps, to be deemed superfluous, if not egotistical. If the proverbial whimsicality of authors should not be admitted as my excuse, I might add that there are reasons, known to yourself if not to other readers, why these somewhat personal remarks should be excused. With grateful affection, MAMARONECK PARSONAGE, September, 1864. ABEL STEVENS. CONTENTS. William Watters, the first Na- tive Itinerant.. 85 Williams's Death.. 85 Their Arrival in Philadelphia. 119 Number of Methodists in Amer- ica.... |