The Autobiography of the Rev. William Jay

The Editors have a few words, and but a few, to express — and those chiefly for the satisfaction of the reader — that in the following pages he may feel assured he will read what Mr. Jay left for his perusal. It was the anxious wish of his family, and especially of his executors, that the manuscripts here published should pass, precisely as he left them, into the hands of the Editors, one of whom was selected by Mr. Jay before his death, and the other subsequently by his family. To them the papers were committed entire, and without alteration, restriction, or condition, to edit them for the press, according to their best judgment, and to make such additions as might seem desirable to complete the narrative; carefully, however, distinguishing, as they have done, between such additions and the original work.

In undertaking this task they did not feel that they were required to write a Memoir, but simply to complete an Autobiography, which was necessarily left, as to time, unfinished; and to gather up such other portions of information, respecting Mr. Jay, and his course through life, as might seem desirable for the purpose of perpetuating the memory of so much excellence, usefulness, and wisdom. It has, therefore, been their main object to let Mr. Jay speak for himself; and to preserve such specimens of his mind and genius, piety and usefulness, at different periods of his long course, as might prove both gratifying and instructive.

They are well aware that a large circle of friends are waiting, with eager expectation, for a work which its author had often promised should be forthcoming after his death, and which it was well known he had long been preparing. To such they trust it will prove all that they had anticipated from the pen of their esteemed friend; and that to a still wider circle, though now dead, he will yet speak. Some persons may wonder at the delay of the publication; but when they are informed that the whole of the manuscripts have had to be rewritten, from a handwriting requiring no little skill and patience to decipher, and then to be carefully compared and examined; and that much new matter had to be collected to continue the thread of the narrative, and to carry it through the closing scene, — it will be evident that no time has been lost, and that greater haste could only have been attended with defects and incompleteness.

To the numerous friends of Mr. Jay, who have obligingly contributed copies of letters, and other valuable and important documents, the cordial thanks of the Editors are due, and are hereby respectfully presented. It would be invidious to particularize individuals, and inconvenient to enumerate all who have thus kindly aided the work. It is hoped, therefore, that this general acknowledgment will be accepted.

The Editors have now only to commend the work to the candid attention of the reader; and the blessing of Him who alone can make this monument his servant has inscribed to the glory of His divine grace, eminently subservient to the edification of His Church universal, and encouraging to the rising ministry, who have in Mr. Jay an example which they may do well to emulate, and an instance of success which they will scarcely hope to surpass. The portraiture and the history are now before them, and with equal talents, superior advantages, similar motives, diligence and devotedness, while they have the same Gospel to preach, the same world to preach it in, and the same Great Master to serve, why may not the Church yet be blessed with many a young preacher who shall begin as auspiciously, proceed as successfully, and terminate as honourably, as William Jay?

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