PROSPECTUS

OF THE

AMERICAN PROTESTANT MAGAZINE.

In issuing the first number of the American Protestant in its present form, it is timely to say a few words with reference to our future course.

1. It is our intention to consecrate the pages of the Protestant Magazine to the best interests of our own country. We shall not enter upon this work as politicians, nor use carnal weapons for its accomplishment. As men of various political parties are united with us, we of course do not hang out a political flag of any color or of any name. We all sail pleasantly along under the broad banner of Protestantism.

2. We design to show that we require something more stable than political organization to save our country.

However important our political organization is, (and we would be in a state of anarchy without it,) there are other and deeper foundations on which our civil and religious institutions must be built, or they will sooner or later be swept away. The course then on which is based the civil and religious interests of our people, is found in the Gospel. Take away Christianity-pure Christianity-and substitute a nominal religion in its place, call it Popery, or Puseyism, or Formalism, and you have taken away the foundation-stone, and all will crumble into ruins.

3. It is our purpose in this work to make prominent our relations and duties to the Roman Catholic population of the United States.

This will be done not in a controversial manner. During the heat and hurry of controversy, we fear that many have lost sight of their true position with respect to the Romanists among us. This we wish to present by statements of facts and the true grounds of obligation, rather than by the denunciation of ignorant men, who may be walking in the light with which they are favored. The Protestant community must be made to feel that they are called to labor for the best welfare of the papal population, not merely by the American Protestant Society, nor by any other Society but the Providence of God summons them, and the authority of his word calls them into this vineyard.

4. Our course towards the Romanists will be kind and faithful.

Their degraded condition should awaken the most tender and benevolent desires in the hearts of Protestants, whom God has made to differ so widely from them. They should show by a course of kind treatment and by seeking to promote their best interests, that they are their best friends. At the same time, while we are kind, we design to be faithful in exhibiting the true character and designs of Romanism. Faithfulness is not inconsistent with the most perfect kindness. We mean to speak the truth plainly, and we hope to do it "in love."

5. This monthly magazine will have a variety of matter which we trust will render it interesting, and will secure a faithful reading.

We shall have a department of "Intelligence from our Missionaries and Colporteurs," who are laboring in various parts of the United States. This will contain accounts of conversions among Romanists-trials-incidents and success of Missionaries, &c.

Under the head of "Miscellaneous Items," we will give interesting occurrences at home and abroad-historical facts, and the most interesting news of the day. Each number will be embellished with a well executed Engraving on the most interesting subject. At the close of each volume we design to give a copious Index of all it contains; and we hope that the "American Protestant Magazine" will form such a volume as will make it worthy of a place in the library of every Protestant family.

We subjoin a few Notices of the Work, selected from a large number which we have before us:

From the N. Y. Evangelist.

"The AMERICAN PROTESTANT" is the title of a new monthly magazine of 32 pages, published by the American Protestant Society. The first number contains articles of spirit and solid worth bearing on the Catholic controversy, and gives a promise of being a valuable auxiliary in the great conflict. It is well printed and offered for one dollar a year; it also contains a spirited engraving of Martin Luther.

From the N. Y. Observer.

THE AMERICAN PROTESTANT is the title of a new and handsome monthly, published under the direction of the Executive Committee of the American Protestant Society. It is embellished with a portrait of Martin Luther, and is imbued with the spirit of the great reformer. We commend it to the attention of our friends.

.

Williamsburgh, June 3, 1845.

I have read with pleasure, the first number of the " American Protestant," a monthly pamphlet, under the direction of the Executive Committee of the American Protestant Society.

I am much pleased with the spirit and design of this publication, as avowed by its conductors, and evinced in this number. Soft words and hard arguments, will as effectually win and convince the Romanist, as harsh language and bitter invective will repulse and harden him. From the contents of this number, and from the spirit and principles of the founders and managers of this Society, I am confident that truth and love will not be separated in its discussions, nor the spirit of Christianity forgotten, while contending for its principles. I can, therefore, with pleasure recommend the Ameri can Protestant to every family and member of the church and congregation which I have the happiness of serving. A. P. MASON, Pastor of the Baptist Church, Williamsburgh.

From the N. Y. Express.

The AMERICAN PROTESTANT is to be issued in a beautiful pamphlet form of 32 pages in each num ber, under the direction of the Executive Committee of the American Protestant Society. The first number is finely executed, and contains a portrait of Luther. We have marked for insertion an interesting article upon the last days of Luther.

From the Rev. Mr. Hatfield, N. Y. City.

The AMERICAN PROTESTANT is a monthly magazine, published at the office and under the auspi ces of the American Protestant Society, of which the Rev. Dr. Spring is the President and the Rev. H. Norton is Secretary. The magazine is edited by the Rev. Mr. Norton, who is well qualified for the office. So far as it has gone I have been well pleased with its spirit and the manner in which it has been conducted. Its circulation, I have no doubt, will do much on the one hand to open the eyes of American Christians to the dangers which threaten our civil and religious liberties from the encroachments and unwearied enterprise of Popery, and to awaken in Christian bosoms a spirit of kindness and of prayer, in respect to those who are deluded by the superstitious and dangerous errors of the papacy. It gives me pleasure, therefore, to commend it to the patronage of the people of my pastoral charge. EDWIN F. HATFIELD, Pastor of the Seventh Presbyterian Church.

New-York, October 3d, 1845.

From the Rev. Dr. Hewit.

Having read the first three numbers of the American Protestant, I recommend it to the patronage of the public. N. HEWIT. Bridgeport, August 27th, 1845.

1 concur in the foregoing. -Fairfield, Ct.

L. H. ATWATER.

From the Religious Recorder, Syracuse.

"The American Protestant."-This is a Monthly Magazine of 32 pages, published by the Executive Committee of the American Protestant Society, at $1 a year. The first number now before us. contains a fine portrait of Martin Luther, and a very judicious selection of articles, bearing on the great question of Popery. We like the spirit of calm determination and Christian faithfulness which It exhibits, and heartily recommend it to the confidence of the public.

From the New England Puritan.

We have received a copy of the American Protestant Magazine, and would cordially commend the work. Its aim is a very important one, and one that is every day becoming more and more interesting.

From the Baptist · Banner.

"The American Protestant."-The above is the title of a monthly octavo of 32 pages, published by a committee of the American Protestant Society, at No. 143 Nassau Street, N. Y., at one dollar per annum in advance.

The first number of this work came to us last week; and we have examined it, and feel prepared to say that it promises to occupy the position it has taken, with credit and efficiency. The design of the Protestant is to counteract and expose the errors and encroachments of Romanism in this country. We wish it great success.

From the Albany Religious Spectator.-By Dr. Sprague.

"The American Protestant."-Under the direction of the Executive Committee of the American Protestant Society.

We regard this work as of great importance in its bearings on the most momentous controversy of the day. It is to be the organ of the American Protestant Society, and is under the immediate control, as we understand, of a clergyman, whose good judgment and excellent spirit, constitute a sufficient guaranty for its unexceptionable and useful character. The first number is such as we should expect-full of important information, without any thing to indicate a rash and criminating spirit. We wish the work an extensive patronage.

From the Protestant Unionist.

"The American Protestant." The June number of the American Protestant is full of capital reading, and enriched with a very striking wood-cut of the great Martin Luther. This liheness alone is worth the subscription money for one year, which is but $1 in advance. Office 143 Nassau street, New-York.

From the American Citizen (Albany.)

"The American Protestant Magazine."-This work, which comes out under the auspices of the American Protestant Society, promises to be a most efficient helper in sustaining the interests of truth in this country. It is characterized by an excellent spirit, and the articles are adapted altogether to make admirable and powerful impressions. It ought to meet, and we trust it will meet, with an extensive patronage.

From the Watchman of the South.

The American Protestant Society, located in New-York, is doing a good work in the circulation of some very valuable Tracts, Treatises, etc., on the subject of Popery. Their office is No. 143 NasSuccess to them.

sau-st.

From the Christian Observer.

The American Protestant is issued monthly, in a handsome pamphlet of 32 pages, whose contents appear to be well adapted to the important ends which it is designed to promote. The present number is embellished with a likeness of Martin Luther.

From the Watchman of the Valley.

"American Protestant."-We have received the first number of the "American Protestant," a monthly periodical of 32 octavo pages, published under the direction of the Executive Committee of the American Protestant Society.

It is executed in fine mechanical style, conducted with decided ability, and is worthy of an extensive patronage.

THE TRINITY PICTURE,

EXHIBITED IN THE JESUIT COLLEGE, GEORGETOWN, D. C. [For explanation, see page 266, etc.]

THE

AMERICAN PROTESTANT.

VOL. I.]

FEBRUARY, 1846.

[NO.IX

OUR COUNTRY, ITS CHARACTER, DESTINY, AND CLAIMS.

HAS any American citizen clear and just perceptions of the position of this country on the scale of nations? Only two centuries and a quarter have passed since the feet of the pilgrims first pressed the cold rock of Plymouth. Already we have a population of about twenty millions. This increases at the rate of one thousand a day. Besides this, there is a large accession made to our population annually by foreign emigration. Of this there are now among us between two and three millions of Romanists. Should the tide of this population flow in upon us as full and constant as it has for the last ten years, then there would be on our soil a century hence, forty millions of Roman Catholics.

The entire population of our country, at the close of the present century, or in 1901, may well amaze us. At the past and present rate of increase this will be, according to the estimate, now regarded as most correct, one hundred and one millions five hundred and fifty-three thousand three hundred and seventy-seven.

As to population, this is destined to be one of the most populous countries in the world. How does this swell its importance! Think of such hosts of immortal beings, living and dying in this land! There is a magnificence and grandeur and responsibility in this that surpasses the most sublime and comprehensive perceptions of the human mind.

What is to be the character and destiny of such a country, and what are its claims? In reply we may say, it is far easier to make such inquiries than to answer them.

I. As to the character of our people, it is now in its forming state. The materials now accumulating are so multiform, and so heterogeneous, that it requires the inspiration of a prophet to predict the form in which they will be embodied, or the character they will evolve to the world. Men of different habits and views-of all the variety of classes in our widely extended union, are thrown together in our new settlements. Besides these, there you will find the representatives of al