Ar the commencement of a new volume, it is proper that we avail ourselves of the common practice of Editors, and lay before our readers several considerations, which are naturally suggested by the occasion. Every editor of a periodical work must feel, if he has the real good of mankind at heart, that a very important and interesting relation subsists between himself and his patrons. While the duties, which this relation imposes upon him, will not be forgotten; and while he will cultivate an enlarged good will toward all men, and indulge in particular good wishes toward his readers; he will hope and expect to receive from them correspondent kindness, encouragement, and support. With these impressions, we design to state some principal reasons of the great utility of religious magazines, and to close with such reflections as shall promise to be seasonable and useful.

In considering the advantages, which the Christian community may derive from religious periodical works, we shall necessa rily be brief.

1. Works of the kind here specified are extremely beneficial, as they produce and extend a taste for religious reading. By

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the variety which they contain, and the intelligence which they communicate, they present the reader with much that is both new and interesting. Thus they allure many to commence inquiries on the most important of all subjects. They are peculiarly fitted to excite attention in the young. When curiosity is rous. ed, and the mind is awakened to the pursuit of any great object, it will of course take pleasure in such a pursuit, and will gain knowledge faster, and turn it to a better account, than could in other circumstances be expected. Whatever directs curiosity to a noble object, and tends to restrain the wayward steps of the young, and to lead them into the path of life, must be highly important in itself, and entitled to the countenance of all Christians.

2. The present state and prospects of the Church are particularly worthy of the attention of every person, who feels interested in her prosperity. The revivals of religion with which God has blessed many parts of the Christian world; the increased fervor, animation and zeal of the real disciples of Christ; the rapidly increasing activity of the benevolent and pious;-all these things impart a peculiar interest

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to every occurrence, which respects the state and progress of religion. Who does not feel desirous to hear of the success of missionaries, and of great and most encouraging accessions to our churches at home? Who does not rejoice with holy exultation at the great efforts which are making to extend the influence of the Gospel in every direction? If any, who profess the religion of Christ, are insensible to its triumphs, and regardless of its interests, they have too much reason to fear that their profession is vain.

3. The establishment and success of societies for the reformation of morals in this country, form a new and irresistible argument in favor of supporting publications, in which the proceedings of these societies can be regularly detailed, their beneficial tendency stated, and the duty of supporting them urged. Christians of the present day are trying the efficacy of combinations to do good and to prevent evil; and they are astonished at the greatness of their success. But the good work is only just begun; though it is begun on a large scale, and under favorable auspices. The regular and general diffusion of intelligence is as necessary to any great publicspirited and united exertions, as the free circulation of the blood to the health of the human frame. While this truth is acknowledg

ed in relation to all other subjects, it is surprising that any per

son should doubt or hesitate in re

gard to its application to religious and charitable enterprises. While newspapers are daily sent forth in vast numbers, and penetrate into the obscurest corners of society, it is strange, that efficient

and abundant support should be withheld by professing Christians from a class of publications, which have a direct reference to religion, and the tendency of which is undeniably salutary in a very high degree. Is it too much to expect, that among the improvements of the present day will be numbered a just regard to the diffusion of religious and moral intelligence, and, consequently, a liberal support of those publications, in which such intelligence is communicated?

Nearly connected with the last mentioned topic is the support of Christian missions. As missions are supported only by voluntary contributions, and these contributions are made by numerous individuals far remote from each other, it is almost impossible, that any great efforts should be made in this cause without a publication of the kind in question.

4. Religious magazines, if conducted only with a tolerable share of skill and talent, exert a powerful influence in promoting the circulation of other new and useful works. Thus they mulof usefulness, and indirectly, as tiply and perpetuate the means best interests of society. In well as directly, subserve the many different ways they are important auxiliaries in the cause of truth and virtue. It is so ordered by the all-wise God, that fords assistance to other similar every benevolent exertion afexertions, and receives assist

ance from them.

5. The Christian finds in a religious magazine many things to quicken his languid steps, to revive his fainting zeal, to enlarge.

his religious views, and to stimulate him to greater activity in the service of his divine Master. He is furnished with new weapons for the spiritual conflict, and with the occasion of brightening and using those which he already possesses. As he is often led to admire the triumphs of the cross, his own in terest in the Gospel appears more precious, and his hope more inestimable.

6. A judicious work of the kind here kept in view will of course strengthen and confirm impressions made on the mind, by the stated labors of the clergy. The minister of the Gospel will gain a more ready attention and will preach to better effect, if his people are in the habit of reading and reflecting upon religious subjects; and in no other way can such a habit be so easily formed, as by feeling an interest in a religious periodical publication. Most persons have not the means of possessing or consulting large libraries; but few are se careless as not to be capable of taking an interest in the most important concerns, if furnished with the requisite information.

7. It is highly desirable, that there should exist periodical publications, of known established character, whose decisions shall be worthy of attentive consideration in questions of morals and religion. And it is obvious, that the more extensively such publications can be circulated, the more beneficial will be their tendency and effects. Whether, in short, the promotion of religious knowledge and sound learning, or the defence of the truth, or the extension of the Gospel,

be regarded as an object of great value, a multitude of arguments can be adduced in favor of religious magazines.

Though the preceding observations may be familiar to some of our readers, yet a large portion even of the religious community seem not to have justly appreciated the importance of the subject. While we ardently wish that our work were more worthy of the cause in which it is employed-the great cause of religious and moral truth, and of human happiness-and while we shall sedulously labor that it may become so, we commend it to the blessing of God, and the patronage of good men.

We now turn to subjects, in which our readers will probably feel a more direct interest, and seize this opportunity to offer a few exhortations to the minds of all.

Let each one reflect, that it is through the unmerited goodness of God, and for wise and holy purposes, that he is brought to see the commencement of another year. An unusual number of persons, of all ages and descriptions, have gone down to the grave the year past. Sudden deaths of persons in vigorous health have been astonishingly frequent, in many parts of our country. Ministers of the Gospel, magistrates, and other men of great influence and worth, have been removed from the world in rapid succession. Those, who are still spared, should ponder well the distinguishing providence of God. They should consider and inquire, whether they are spared as blessings to mankind, as highly favored in being permitted to

serve God and their generation through a longer period, or as instances of increasing stupidity under increasing light and privileges. The year, upon which they have now entered, will soon be numbered with its predecessors, and will have departed forever with all its opportunities and means of usefulness. To every individual it is inconceivably important, that the passing months should bear a good report, and that the closing year should present a happy memorial of time well employed, and duties faithfully performed. Though the year will pass rapidly away, it will, nevertheless, furnish many opportunities of doing good, and numerous motives to improve in piety and vir

tue.

It has pleased God, within a few years past, to erect his standard of victory over the hosts of Satan, and to bestow distinguished success on the champions of the cross. He has already giv. en an earnest of what he is soon to accomplish, in hastening the permanent increase, security, and glory of his Church. Let all, who profess to be his friend3, justly appreciate the value of their time, their influence, and example. Let them openly, zealously, constantly, encourage all beneficent plans, and engage heartily in the cause of God and mankind. Let no advantage already gained ever be yielded to the enemy. Let all the pious be united by the strong bands of love; and each endeavor to promote the peace and happiness of the whole. Let every good institution find a ready and cheerful patronage, every benevolent plan a speedy adoption,

and all charitable labors that perseverance which will ensure success. Let the devout inquiry ascend from every pious heart, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

The various attempts which are now making, in many parts of New England, to reform the morals of the community, and render vice shameful as well as odious, should receive the energetic support of all friends of their country, especially of all Christians. The vice of intemperate drinking has received a shock from which, as there is reason to hope, it will never recover. The vice of Sabbathbreaking is viewed in its true. light by a large portion of the people, and efforts to suppress this evil also are made with hopeful prospects. Let reformation proceed in its course, aided by all who have it in their power to give their countenance, or of fer a petition for the divine blessing. Numerous societies must be formed, sermons must be preached, tracts must be distributed, till the community shall be thoroughly apprised of their dangers and their duties; till the virtuous shall raise their courage and activity, in some good proportion to the excellence of their cause, and the vicious shall be confounded and dismayed. Union in a good cause, faith in the promises of God, and perseverance in well-doing, will unquestionably triumph.

There is one class of persons, who ought to feel a peculiar res ponsibility in relation to these remarks. We refer to those, whom Providence has endued with the talent of writing for the instruction of the public. Though

this class of persons is, in all countries, comparatively small, and though the favored few may be diffident of their powers, yet the people of this country know, and should gratefully acknowledge, that there are those among us, who can write ably, and with decisive effect, on the most important subjects, Some individuals of this class can hardly be ignorant of the character and reputation of their writings. Others have yet to learn the full measure and extent of their responsibility, when they shall have engaged more extensively in this great labor of love, To all, who have the talent of writing for the benefit of mankind, we take the liberty of addressing, in the language of earnest intreaty, an admonition not to suffer that talent to lie buried and useless. beseech them to consider the amazing importance of seizing present opportunities, of securing present advantages, and of bringing every possible accession of strength to the righteous cause, in the mighty conflict which now exists in the world. Let them duly estimate the value of the talent here referred to, and remember, that, though unnoticed and unknown on earth, every one, who shall convert a sinner from the error of his way, will save a soul from death, und hide a multitude of sins.

We

For the encouragement of the benevolent it is to be steadily kept in view, that probably no period has existed since the cre

ation of the world, when it was so easy to do good, on a large scale, as at the present day. This observation is meant to apply to those beneficent attempts only, which are made with a prayerful reliance on God. If the observation is correct, and we appeal to every competent judge that it is so, what an unusual weight of responsibility rests upon all who have wealth, influence, or mental endowments? With what energy and activity should the thought inspire all, whom their duty invites to study, or to public labors.

Finally; let every reader look to the state of his own soul, and examine on which side of the grand controversy he now stands. In relation to this controversy there can be no neutrals; and it is vastly important to every individual not to be found in the ranks of rebellion against God, and hostility to the best interests of man. The truth, as it respects the state and character of each person, will be known hereafter, and at no distant period. The character of each will soon be fixed for eternity. any of our readers losing opportunities of serving God? How amazing the loss! Let them become truly wise, and embrace the Gospel. Then happy will be their dismission from the body, though they should not live through the year which is now commencing, and unspeakably glorious their reward in heaven.

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