The attempts which are now making to reform the morals, in various parts of New England, demand the hearty co-operation of all who desire the present or future happiness of their fellow creatures. No time is to be lost in halting between two opinions. If it has not been already proved, that present enjoyment, and happy prospects of the future, are on the side of strict morality and strict religion, it is in vain to expect that any question in morals will ever be settled. Let every friend of his country, of posterity, of his own children, join his efforts to those of the patriotic and benevolent already engaged in promoting public and private virtue and suppressing vice.

While adverting to united exertions in the cause of truth and righteousness, we desire to call the attention of our readers to the utility and necessity of religious magazines, permanently established and liberally patronized. How many of the great charities which have adorned the present times would never have been originated without periodical works of this description? How many others would have languished and failed, without the same support? As the first step towards any extensive and united efforts, it is necessary that those, who are called upon to co-operate, should know what is to be done, and what is doing, in the religious world. They should be informed of the means, the hopes and prospects, the duties and encouragements, which claim their particular consideration. But all this can be done in no other way so effectually as in the manner here specified. Let it be remembered, that the establishment of any useful magazine is not justly regarded as a temporary and inconsiderable expedient to subserve the present interests of a party; but as the erection of an engine whose power may be incalculably beneficial; as the opening of a fountain whose salutary streams may long continue to refresh the thirsty pilgrim, and cover the earth with verdure.

Among the duties, which devolve on writers for religious pub. lications, those which relate to the treatment of adversaries are probably the most difficult. As we have never yet learnt from Scripture, experience, or observation, that all the different schemes of religion have an equal claim to be treated with deference and respect, we cannot hesitate to believe, that many pernicious errors actually exist in this country; errors which materially affect the very foundations of Christian doctrine; errors which, if cordially embraced, must prove fatal to the souls of men. Nor can we hesitate to believe, that these errors are zealously propagated from the press and the pulpit; and that, in some instances, men set apart, as the guides of their fellow sinners in the way to heaven, lead them in the downward road to perdition. How are writers and preachers of this class to be treated? is the question. The rules which have appeared to us most important, and altogether defensible, are briefly as follows:

First; it should be regarded as a fundamental canon, not to judge more unfavorably of any religious doctrine, than the Scriptures authorize and require us to judge. We allow no human

authority in matters of faith. What the word of God condemns, it is the duty of Christians to condemn; but nothing more. We are no advocates for drawing the bonds of fellowship closer than God has drawn them; or for inventing stricter rules of conduct than He has given. In construing the Scriptures, and searching after their genuine meaning, the utmost candor, fairness, and reverence, are to be exhibited; but when that meaning is satisfactorily ascertained, it is too serious a thing to be yielded out of complaisance, or concealed from view for fear of reproach and obloquy. It is to be avowed, proclaimed, and defended, with all possible zeal.

Secondly; in controversies with the enemies of the truth, the law of love is never to be transgressed. Christ has made it the duty of his followers to love all men. A real and earnest desire of the present and future good of an opponent is perfectly consistent with the persuasion that he is in extreme error, and in the way to ruin. Indeed, the fact that any human being is in such error, ought to awaken a desire that he may be delivered from it, and will uniformly do so, in hearts under the permanent influence of religion. To ascertain whether a writer is really possessed of this benevolent regard to his adversaries, whom he apprehends, at the same time, to be the adversaries of the truth, let him answer to his own satisfaction the following questions. If the person whom I am now particularly opposing were my brother; had we been educated together in a father's house; or were he a son, whose salvation had been near my heart ever since his birth; should I not soften the expressions which offer themselves to my pen? If I answer in the affirmative, is it because, in the case supposed, my natural affection is stronger, than, in the real case, my benevolent regard to an immortal being? Should I be able to read what I am writing to my opponent in private, without feeling the slightest disposition to anger on the one hand, or the slightest degree of compunction on the other? If not; Why? Am I able to say, with a solemn reference to God, the Judge of all, and to the day of final retribution; This page was written in love to mankind?

If all writers would faithfully pursue inquiries of this kind, it is manifest that the race of Warburtons and Belshams would soon become extinct.

Thirdly; ridicule should be admitted with extreme caution in religious controversy, if admitted at all. Were it not, that the Scriptures have sanctioned the use of ridicule, we should doubt whether it ought not to be interdicted altogether. Sanctioned as it is, however, by the highest authority, it is doubtless intended, on certain rare occasions, to answer the most important purposes. But it is so liable to perversion, and can so easily be pressed into any cause, while the temptations to use it unnecessarily, and even improperly, are so frequent, that prudence seems to dictate the course here recommended. It is certainly very far from being an instructive spectacle, to behold sinners, hastening to the judgment, busily employed in holding up each other to public laughter and scorn. To prevent mistake, however, it ought to be observed,

that such is the character of error, so frequent are its inconsistencies, and so glaring its absurdities, that a simple statement of a writer's own doctrines will sometimes produce the same effect as the most powerful strain of ridicule.

Another difficulty which editors of periodical publications experience, is that of suiting the tastes and wishes of different classes of their readers. The attempt to please all would be ridiculous. But we shall not cease to labor that our work may be as extensively useful, as it shall be within the limits of our means to render it. While we shall pay a respectful attention to intimations from any of our patrons, with regard to practicable improvements in our work, we must request them likewise to pay a similar attention to what they may presume to be the wishes of other patrons. We would always encourage the utmost fredoom in suggesting such improvements as will make the Panoplist more conducive to the purposes for which it is published-the promotion of useful knowledge and undefiled religion.

We are sorry that our subscription list will not warrant the enlargement proposed in our number for March. By the use of a smaller type in a part of the work, there will be room for some additional matter. The contemplated enlargement will still be kept in view; and will be adopted whenever an increased patronage shall authorize the additional expense. The war has so impeded transportation by water, that we fear a serious diminution of subscribers from that cause alone.

As many of our subscribers number the volumes of the Panoplist from the beginning, without making the distinction of the new series, it will be most convenient that the same mode be universally adopted. We shall therefore designate this volume as the ninth, instead of the sixth of the new series.

We conclude with beseeching the God of all grace to make our feeble efforts in some measure successful, and to impart the know!edge and love of the truth to all mankind.

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