THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 649017 A

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
R
1933

L

The plan proposed, in the introduction to the first volume of this work, was ito give, perlaps in each number, a short sermon ; to inBert essays on doctrinal and practical subjects; to expound difficult and important passages of scripture ; to admit a free, though somewhat limited discussion of contiorerted points in divinity ; to review reigious publications; to answer questions, soive cases of conscience and exemplify experimental and practical religion, hy sketches of the lives of persons disuntuished for piety and usefulness. For the gratification of sich readers, as mav'not have access to other sources ci information, an abstract of Religious intelligence is proposed, and the usual notices of Ordinations, Anniversaries of Charitable Societies, and new Publications."

The above plan the Clitor has kept in his ere, and has endeavored to cxecute it, so far as leis means and talents have enabled him. IIe is sensible, that the execution has been inperint; perhaps more so, than his readers expected ; certainly more so, then he could have wished. This has been ouing, in addition to his own wanit of ability and leisure, to the limited aid he has received from correspondents and contributors to the work. It is bioped, however, that the contents of the first rolume, are sach, as to afford some satisfaction to that portion of the religious community, who have had oportunity to peruse it, and such as not altogether to disap int their reasonable ex

pectations. It will be a source of gratefiel reflection to the Editor, *) it he may indulge the belief, that his labours have contributed, in any degree, to the instruction and edification of Christians, or that they have been instrumental, by a divine blessins, in any instance, of

turning sinners from the error of their ways to the wisdom of the just.

The peculiar difficulties, attending the commencement of such a j work, if not entirely removed, are greatly diminished. The impertance of a cheap, periodical publication, which shell admit a free discussion of all the essential doctrines of the gospel, is more and more felt by the friends of truth. The connection between privciple and practice-between corruci speculation in divinity and erperimentul religion and rital codliness, is, by many, more clearly perceived and understood. It is believed, that the pre ju lices, so artilly excited, and 80 industriously spread, against the system of sentiments, denominated llopkinsiun, are gradually softening and meling away before the rays of truth ; and that, ere long, it will be generally seen and acknowledged, that this system, so much vilified and contemned, is the only genuine, consistent and defencible Calvinism. And when this is seen and acknowledged, all objections against the name, will vanish away. That this appellation is less ambiguous and more discriminatint, than any other, assumed by orthodox Christians, it is presumed, will not be questioned ; and for this reason, it is both more often