History of the M.E. Church, Vol. IV - Media Sabda Org

disappearance of Coke, Asbury, Whatcoat, Lee, and most of the great original leaders of the
denomination from the scene, A historian, or even an epic poet, could hardly demand a more
befitting denouement [conclusion -- DVM] to his story, or more interesting and romantic materials
for it.
What, therefore, remains unrecorded in my volumes is but the chronological continuation of the
system here described, its continuous working, without much, if anything, essentially different,
except a new generation of preachers, and the occasional controversies and schisms which have
disturbed, but hardly impaired it, and which I trust my readers will be as happy as myself to escape.
In following my main design, of exhibiting the vital principles and workings of Methodism, I have
necessarily been most minute in the earliest data, condensing as I advance toward our own times.
From the peculiar organization of the Church, Methodist history is peculiarly biographic, a fact
which enhances much its popular interest, but also the difficulties of the writers. Scores, if not
hundreds, of personal characters are more or less sketched in these volumes; and, in order to relieve
the biographical tone of the story, many are portrayed at their introduction to the ministry, others at
some important event in which they took a prominent part, and still others not till their obituary in
the Conference Minutes. Not a few important characters are hardly more than mentioned; they were
necessarily referred to the times of their obituary record, which come after my final date; they will
afford precious material for another volume, for one volume more will be necessary to bring the
history down to its centenary year. I have no design of writing that volume, at least not within the
next ten or fifteen years. I have gathered ample materials, for it, but they will be left in the library
of the Drew Theological School for the use of some abler hand. After many years of hardest toil, and
the postponement of other literary plans, my design has been accomplished as well as I feel myself
able to do it; that design has been, not to exhibit the Church merely in what is sometimes called its
"heroic period," but in its full maturity, its complete structure, as it stands before us today, excepting
only the extension of some of its outer works. Its "heroic period," I trust, still continues, and will,
while it has indefinite frontier fields to invade, its history will be equally indefinite, in continuance,
at least. I gladly give way to my successors in the grateful task of recording its later triumphs.
Abel Stevens
Orienta, Mamaroneck, N. Y., July, 1867