CONDUCTED BY AN ASSOCIATION OF GENTLEMEN, AND EDITED BY WILLIAM CRAIG BROWNLEE, D. D. RUTGERS PRESS. PRINTED BY TERHUNE & LETSON, NEW-BRUNSWICE. LETSON, NEW-BRUNSWICE.C 1827. Andrews Dr. his sermons reviewed, A little will not hurt you, -Dr. his Synod Sermon, Brownlee, Dr. his Missionary Sermon, 169, 147 374 32 130 201 15 85 -his inaugural Sermon, extract from Woodhull, Burgess Dr. produces Greek fathers who had 150 33 40 191 248 Cannon, Rev. Dr. his election to a Professorship - 304 57 Comment on Rom. viii. 3. 4. 366 Dutch Church, appeal to in behalf of this Maga- Drunkenness, cure for History of the Reformation in Holland, 193, -of Missions, 250, 289 Intelligence, missionary, 34, 37, 62, 63-From 352 105 243 291 Leo, pope XII. his bull against Bible Societies,63 Dewitt, the Rev. Mr. Thomas, his sermon, 358 Erasmus first raised the dispute on 1 John v. 7. Error, on a popular, among the ranks of the 25 gen- 349 Friar, the Spanish, and the religious tract, Geneva, persecution at 374 64 Gibbon the historian, his ill-timed remark on 1 50 note 355 342, 348 INTRODUCTION. THE present age is characterised by the numerous and successful efforts to diffuse knowledge. These efforts are not confined to any one branch of literature. They are exerted over the whole circle of the arts and the sciences; and they are extended to the benign religion of Jesus Christ. The various causes which were in operation at the time of the Reformation, by which religion and the sciences began to send forth their brighter and steadier lights, and which gave an irresistible influence to the spirit of free inquiry, have not ceased to operate, in their salutary influence, on the human mind to this day. Hence, we see, in all the departments of literature, men labouring with unremitting activity; each on the field of his own favourite science; while he urges forward with a most laudable zeal, into the first ranks of distinction, in the improvements, and the discoveries in the arts and sciences; and their successful application to the practical purposes of life. The age is also marked by the diffusion of knowledge among all classes of men. It is no longer confined to the wealthier part of society, and to scholars merely; as in former times. It begins to shed its light even over the labouring part of the community. The cottager, and the mechanic, after the labours of the day, retire to the scenes of religious instruction, or to the reading room; or to his own fireside, where he studies the last review, or a volume on mechanics; or he follows the crowd into the lecture room of the practical philosopher; and the chymist; and stores his mind with ornamental and practical knowledge. The diffusion of religious knowledge, it has been agreed upon by all, I believe, has been keeping pace with that of the different branches of literature;-if indeed it has not rather taken the lead;-and is considerably in advance among us. The opinion has gone abroad over enlightened and free nations, that every class of men, even to the humblest, can be illumined, and ought to be illumined with every kind of knowledge. This opinion has been produced and kept alive by the genuine spirit of the Reformation. And we find its able advocates in all the classes of society; and among men of the most opposite views and feelings in politics and religion; among the high-toned churchmen; and the presbyters; among the whig, and the tory combatants on the floor of parliaments; among men of letters hostile to religion; and among men of learning and piety. VOL. I.-2. |