THE

GOSPEL ADVOCATE,

CONDUCTED

BY A SOCIETY OF GENTLEMEN.

VOLUME I.

FOR THE YEAR 1821.

"Knowing that I am set for the defence of the Gospel." Phil. i. 17.

BOSTON:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED FY JOSEPH W. INGRAHAM.

1821.

PREFACE.

THE year is now completed since the publication of the Gospel Advocate was commenced in its present form and character. In taking a retrospective view of what they have done, the conductors are cheered by the hope that their labour has not been altogether in vain. As they are confident it has been the object, so they are persuaded that it has been the general tendency of their work, to promote the cause of pure and undefiled religion. They have not laboured with a proselyting spirit to build up their own portion of the church at the expense of others. Whenever they have been called upon to explain or defend the doctrines and observances peculiar to the Episcopal Church, they have endeavoured to do it in the spirit of candour and charity. At the same time they would not, under the name of charity, neglect to assert the importance and necessity of those great doctrines which form the very basis of our holy religion-repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; and, as the necessary consequence of these, holiness of life and character.

If the patrons of this work are satisfied that the Gospel Advocate is, on the whole, calculated to aid in promoting the cause of piety, the conductors will rely with confidence upon a continuance of their exertions to extend its usefulness. Hitherto