PROSPECTUS, THE general utility of periodical publications is universally confessed. Long and extensive experience in the several departments of human knowledge, has decided in their favour. The public mind, actuated by a laudable curiosity, calls for frequent and swift messengers of intelligence; and the public taste will not be satisfied without the enjoyment of miscellaneous reading, such as papers, magazines, and reviews, are best calculated to furnish. Every society, whether of charity or science, endeavours to exert its influence, to explain and extend its usefulness, by periodical reports and publications; and there is no party in the state nor section in the church, which does not attempt the use of the press in its own service, as well as for the general good, Men of the very first standing in the ranks of literature have often engaged in providing and supporting works of this description: and especially in our own day are learning, and patience, and zeal, devoted to this kind of writing, in the different parts of the civilized world. This is "the free trade," in the products of mental industry, which, while it makes men of all nations nearer and better acquainted, tends most effectually to equalize intellectual wealth, by the unrestricted distribution of its stores, and rapid exchange of its several commodities. Whatsoever is new, and but just invented or discovered; whatsoever is old, and appreciated or almost forgotton; whatsoever is profitable or supposed to be so; is thus speedily made known to those whom it may most concern: and the passing events, in both the church and the state, are speedily introduced to the acquaintance of every one who takes an interest in them. The result is important and obvious to all. Letters have formed a "public mind" which causes itself to be respected by me of every party. The public feeling is daily be ing more acute, the public judgment more inde dent and decided, and the intriguer cannot pe nently seduce, nor the tyrant effectually subdue spirit of the reading commonwealth. If perio literature alone, does not make a great statesma profound scholar, or an able divine, and most a edly it never can, yet it tends to the developeme genius, to the cultivation of taste, to the formatio a sound and skilful judgment; and it greatly facili the acquisition of general knowledge by all class the community. It reflects, as a mirror, and m fies, as an agent, the public sentiment. Such an instrument is unquestionably liabl much abuse. Tracts, magazines, and newspap are often employed as vehicles of iniquity. liberty of the press, like the liberty of though speech, and of action, may be injuriously exerci And what but the effectual grace of God, has not abused by fallen man? Put a pen into the hand o malignant, and will he not be abusive; in the har the illiberal, and will he not be rude; in the han the unprincipled, and will he not be licentious; in hand of the heretic, and will he not publish opin at variance with the gospel? The very mischie the press call on the patrons of righteousness to vide the remedy: and the friends of sound so of good morals, and of true religion, have the pr remedy at hand, not in the destruction of types, in the just arrangement of them. Error of opin and mistatement of facts are both deprived of than half their evil tendency, where truth, upo equal footing, is permitted to show herself. T is, therefore, a necessity that the friends of truth every department, should employ the press in good cause. They should understand too, as we the enemy, how to employ, in the day of war, smaller vessels and the lighter troops; for even in midst of peace, the banking house is not more ne sary to the accommodation of commerce, nor the retail store to the conveniences of domestic economy, than a Magazine, periodically diffusing religious information, is, to the prosperity of the city of God. The EVANGELICAL WITNESS, on appearing in the class of periodical writings, claims but an humble station. Of a small size, and at a cheap rate, it proposes usefulness upon principles of rigid economy. It depends upon its truth, solidity, and accuracy, in doctrine and in morals, for its reputation among the religious publications of the United States. Its friends have undertaken its introduction on the literary stage, because they think there is room for it in the land, and that there is need for such a work as they contemplate. As a rival to none, unless it be in light and in love, its testimony will ever be in accordance with "primitive truth and order," its affections embrace all that are at peace with God, and none, except those who love darkness, have any thing to apprehend from its hostility. The editor stands pledged before the world, to make this Magazine, to the best of his ability, correspond with its title-testifying to all men, both to small and great, none other things than what the prophets and apostles did say, and what competent witnesses have seen and heard. The doctrines taught shall be none other than those of the Bible, and the events recorded, such as have come to pass. It is required of a witness, that he be found faithful, that he state the truth, and nothing but the truth. It is also required that his testimony be full, consistent, pointed, and impartial. A full testimony embraces the whole course in controversy, and brings to light in due detail, the several incidents essential to a correct decision by the judge. The limits of our pages will not admit of long dissertations at any time; for, in each number the matter must be somewhat diversified: but the general plan is the most liberal and comprehensive No subject in the word of God, or among the wo of God, is excluded absolutely from this Magazi Holding Messiah as the centre of God's counsels a administrations, and the universe as the field on wh he expatiates his glory, we place all things in creati under contribution; and shall not shun to declare whole purpose of Jehovah, nor deem any creat which He has made, or any event which He has creed, unworthy of our notice. All such articl original or selected, as appear conducive to the i provement of society, by keeping error and vice check, or by promoting knowledge, morals, and go liness-whatever, indeed, tends to the establishm of liberty, righteousness, and peace, in our own co try, and in the world, will be welcome to our pag The reader shall not be straitened in us, unless stra ened in his own bowels. Our mouth is open, our he is enlarged. We will not dilute the spirit of Chr tian charity by the admixture of worldly calculatio on numbers, names, places, or property; but oppos to all prejudices and sectarianism, the Evangeli Witness, with the most expanded catholicism, m discountenance every deviation from the real and t visible unity of the church of God, as taught in Holy Scriptures, at the risk of incurring the censu of those who remain attached to distinctive nation denominations, and especially of such as are the selves "bigots to liberality," and "fierce for mode tion." The Bible is the standard of our religi The Bible prescribes to the church her doctrine a her ordinances: and to them we design to yield full testimony. It is required of a witness that he be consiste In order to be comprehensive, it is not necessary be either indiscriminate or contradictory. There no benevolence in giving currency to doubtful do trines. Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoic in the truth. True holiness is every where the san |
