Of the religious journals now circulating in the Presbyterian church-some, as the Quarterly Reviews, taking for their prominent object the discussion of themes for ministers, as theologians; others, as the Weekly Newspapers and Monthly Magazines, aiming chiefly at the wants of families and private christians-none have given distinctive prominence to the subject which this paper proposes to make prominent. They are doing their work-many of them doing a great work, and doing it well, in their several spheres of labor. We offer our paper by no means as the rival of any of them for public patronage, but contemplating Ministers, Elders, Deacons, and working members of the church in their common character, as leaders and co-laborers in the great work of adapting our Presbyterianism to the new field and the stupendous work opened and still opening in this country, we propose a journal, which, whilst it shall aim to occupy, in common with others, the general field of doctrinal truth and religious literature, shall be more distinctively for the discussion and elucidation of the principles of Presbyterianism, as they bear upon the efforts and measures of the church for her own expansion.

Of the necessity of such discussion, little need be said. With all the advantages which our system of Judicatories theoretically affords for the examination of questions, every one knows how the rapid increase of routine business, the pressing claims of practical and local questions for immediate decision, and the indisposition to prolong the meetings of such bodies, operate as an effectual exclusion of any full and thorough consideration of general principles. That such consideration of general principles should be had, is imperatively demanded by the peculiar posture of our church in this country. Perhaps never before has Presbyterianism had so fair an opportunity for developing its peculiar excellencies, and by practical demonstration make manifest that it is the true system of the Scriptures. Untrammelled by any connection with the State; under a Government whose civil and political ordinances conform to her ecclesiastical polity more completely than those of any other government since the Christian Era; and among a people distinguished for the activity of mind and the intelligence of the great mass, the providence of God calls loudly upon the leaders of "the Sacramental Host of God's Elect" to study their position; and with a watchfulness as untiring as their zeal, to shape the policy of the church in her new circumstances, so as to develope truly her life and spirit.

It may be suggested further, that the region of inquiry, which it is a prominent object of this paper to aid in exploring-whether as regards the abstract theoretical principles relating to the nature and functions of the church, or the concrete forms of them embodied in her ecclesiastical acts, has not hitherto attracted the attention which its importance deserves. The great question of "The Church," to the exclusion of nearly every other question, has occupied the minds and drawn forth all the learning and logical accomplishments of the two most intensely sectarian divisions of modern Christendom-the Anglican and the Roman church. Through this question the most

fundamental of the heresies of ten years past have obtruded themselves upon the world. And yet the whole subject of "The Church" "ecclesiology "in the new technical use of terms-contemplated from a Presbyterian stand-point, has apparently been overlooked among us. With the single exception of a course of lectures at Princeton, volunteered by the Professor of Didactic Theology, in view, probably, of the emergency of the case, and a few articles, said to be from the same pen, in the Repertory, nothing that we are aware of has been said or written of the more abstract views of this great subject.

Nor has this subject in its concrete form received much more attention. Though the controversies of twenty years past have very strongly and clearly developed many of the chief points in the doctrine and order of the Presbyterian system-yet the outworking of the Presbyterianism polity so far as it relates to the measures of the church for her own expansion, have received little attention. Under the pressure of strong excitement in 1837 and 1838, forced into a system of measures for church expansion, devised, indeed, by wise. and great men, but still, hastily devised, in the very nature of the case; since that time constantly employed in giving the system more efficiency; to suppose these measures perfect and in need of no farther examination, would be to claim for their originators, in effect, more than human foresight, and to suppose a direct Divine inspiration in the church ever since.

For, however perfect any system of measures at its first adoption, it is manifest, from the history of the church in every age, that such are the tendencies of even sanctified minds, that constant scrutiny and discipline is needful still to keep pure that which is in itself perfect. In the actual working of all measures, in the church and out of it, there is ever a tendency to the growth of error, unnoticed from its extremely gradual progress. It grows up under the surface, as the great coral reefs of the ocean; receiving accretions from its tiny builders, imperceptible in their magnitude, but countless in their number; and thus ever approaching the surface, its very presence is unsuspected until some convulsion shall heave it up, or some noble vessel wreck upon its hidden crest. The history of the church at large exhibits far more danger to her true interests, from over-confidence in her system of working, than from lack of confidence. Even in case of a system in itself perfect at first, the natural consequence, in the working out of years, is to lose sight of the fundamental ideas. originally expressed in the very formula used to denote its spirit and design. No characteristic of the general mind of society is more marked than its proneness to cling to mere words, even after the ideas which the words were intended to convey are entirely lost sight of. Floating as husks upon the surface, the words but deceive and mock the credulous and uninquiring, long after the ideas thus contained, like the heavy grain, have sunk out of view. There is a continual need of investigation, if for nothing more than to keep up the connection between the words and the ideas of the church. Our

own history, brief as it is, yet abounds with illustrations of how readily errors in principle, latent at first in measures seemingly good, if allowed to pass unchallenged, in the course of time work out confusion and evil.

Such were the results of the wrong principles embodied in the Plan of Union of 1801. So, the singular fact that some twenty odd years ago, when the present two bodies of Presbyterians were one, out of the whole Ministry, (as may be seen from the Minutes of the Assembly of 1830,) embracing from 2,000 to 2,500, and out of the whole, there were but little over 600 pastors. So, also, the almost total disuse of the office of Deacon-even yet but partially restored to the church-and what is still worse, the very general, if not total, loss in the church, of the great truth, of which the office of Deacon is the representative-namely, that the contribution of funds to pious uses-the fellowship-is one of the stated ordinances of the Sabbath. But a score of such illustrations will readily occur to those familiar with the history of the church, all going to the same point, to wit: the absolute necessity of constant and careful inquiries into the principles involved in the ordinances, acts and measures of the church. As regards the particular views of church affairs to be advocated, and the tone and spirit of our Journal, we have little to say. Considering that the parties to this work are widely scattered through four or five Synods, and perhaps differing among themselves on most of the questions which from time to time divide the opinion of our body, we can hardly be expected to speak very definitely. We therefore say, generally, that it shall be our aim in all cases that may arise, to advocate "strict construction" of the powers conferred by the Constitution on the Judicatories of the church, and strict adherence to the provisions of our standard in all ecclesiastical measures. We shall be found in the opposition when the question is the adoption or the imitation of the measures and expediencies of voluntaryism and independence, on the one hand; or the recognition of the authority of precedents derived from Church and State systems, on the other. And equally so in regard to all tendencies within the church itself, to the centralization of power in any one place, or in any particular hands.

We shall by no means expect to confine ourselves to subjects involving these questions alone, but to illustrate and defend, as against all corresponding forms of error, the simplicity, the purity, and the peculiar adaptation to the American people, of the Presbyterian doctrine and polity. Our great practical aim shall be to set forth the duty and the peculiar obligation resting upon the office-bearers and leaders of our church, to evince in all their official acts, and promote by their personal influence intelligent, manly, and liberal views of the duties and responsibilities of the American church. As touching the spirit and tone which shall characterize the paper, we would here express, once for all, our high regard and strong fraternal feeling for all earnest minded and sincere christian people of whatever name, in general, and for all Presbyterian people in particular.

Also our high appreciation generally, of the learning, wisdom and piety of the many eminent men whom the church and the christian public honor and confide in. We are proud of our church, and of the great number of excellent and eminent men in it. And this expression of our heart's esteem and good will we desire to be taken once for all, as it will illy comport with our very restricted limitsand they possibly not paid for-to preface our every strong dissent from the opinion of others with long preliminary declarations of our exalted opinion of the men personally. We are free to confess, moreover, that it comports as little with our ideas of good tasteprobably from our association of this style of controversy with a school of men who have given the church trouble in time past, and whose peculiar taste for very loving and brotherly prefaces to very un-brotherly insinuations, we have admired as little as their theology. We desire to speak and to be spoken of, simply in the open, manly, dignified tone that is becoming christian gentlemen. We may be allowed to suggest, also, that from our very limited space, those who write will perceive, that in order to any variety, articles for our pages must be short, pointed, and suggestive-containing the "seeds of things," rather than the things themselves full grown. Those for whom we write must be presumed to need nothing more than simple and direct statements of facts, and a clear and suggestive presentation of the points of an argument.

To allay the apprehensions of any excellent and amiable people, who may anticipate agitation and danger to the church from such discussions as we propose, it may be proper to suggest, in the first place, that the parties to this enterprise-already numbering more than half a score from half as many Synods-are all of them men in whom the christian public, in their several localities have been in the habit of manifesting a good deal of confidence. In the next place, the class of minds to whom our journal is chiefly addressedoffice-bearers and active working members-are not a class so easily led astray, or aroused to imprudent action, as to need any human guardianship. And still more, our own views are of the most strictly conservative order-not conservative in the sense of a blind devotion to mere precedent and authority, but the true conservatism of strong devotion to principles, and those the principles already established in the Confession of Faith. So far, too, as we advocate Reform, it is always with a strong preference for reform through, rather than over the official and recognized channels of action. We are by no means ecclesiastical Ishmaelites, nor do we intend to be provoked to become such.

We have adopted a title simply expressive of our distinctive aim. The too common association with the word "Critic" of an assuming, cynical, fault-finding spirit, was felt to be an objection-but in the true and proper sense of "Critic," as a "discerner," a "discriminator," and therefore a "Judge," it describes our chief purpose more clearly than any other word-while at the same time, our title "Review," expresses the incidental purpose.

We have a common aim in this, our work, and a common end to accomplish. Yet each writer is responsible for himself only. The peculiar views of the individual parties to the enterprise, touching questions which at present may divide the church, are not known one to the other. No member of the association possibly may agree with all that shall be published in any one number. We claim to be the organ of no particular ecclesiastical party in the sense of advocating one particular line of measures. Analagous to another use of the word "organ❞—an instrument in which the grand results are attained, not by the powerful and skillful playing of one note, or even of one part, but by the combination in grand harmony of various, and often apparently dissonant parts. We are not unwilling to be made the organ, so far as our limits permit, of all earnest and practical thinkers, who are sure they have something to say, and will aim to say it briefly, pointedly, and respectfully.

We are committed to each other and to the public for a year, by way of experiment. The labor is all voluntary. It is hoped by the experiment of a year to demonstrate the necessity of such a paper as a permanent work. However that may be, we shall have published a volume on some of the most important questions of the day, and that in a form to be more read and more effective than in any other. If our Monthly shall prove to have taken hold of the right points and become the articulate voice of a large portion of the church, then, like other comparatively ephemeral journals which have preceded it, as those of Mason, Rice, Green, and Breckinridge, it will only increase in value by the lapse of years.

The Monthly paper being at once in form light and active enough to secure the advantages of the newspaper, and at the same time offering to writers the encouragement of preserving their thoughts in a form to be of permanent use, has its peculiar field of usefulness, and a most important one.