written and published in the United States: and it is the acknowledged cause that periodical publications have so often been deficient in merit and short in duration. As a matter of justice, then, and believing that in this, as in every other concern, equity and true policy are inseparable, it has been determined that for every composition inserted in the Christian Advocate, the author, unless he voluntarily decline it, shall receive a pecuniary compensation, to the full extent as liberal as the avails of the work will permit.

It must be remembered that the Editor will consider himself as possessing the right to make such corrections as he may judge indispensable, in any paper sent for publication, unless expressly prohibited by the writer. At the same time, it will be distinctly understood that nothing will appear which needs to be materially amended, either in language or sentiment. The new casting of careless composition, is a labour which the Editor cannot undertake, and it is not intended that this miscellany shall be a receptacle for crudities.

It is promised that all communications, suitable for this work, shall be thankfully received, and carefully and candidly inspected; but correspondents will recollect, that the decision on what is really suitable, must remain exclusively with the Editor. It is so manifestly his own interest not to reject any thing which, in his best judgment, he believes might properly be admitted, that it can scarcely be imagined that exclusion should ever be adjudged from improper motives. Doubtless he may err; but an error which is not the offspring of carelessness or prejudice ought to be without offence. Delay in the publication of a paper must often take place, where rejection is not intended. Variety, in every number of a miscellany, must always be consulted in making up its contents.

Those who projected, and who have hitherto conducted this work, have always intended that it should ultimately contribute to the charities of the Presbyterian Church. Such contribution it has already made, in full proportion to the profits which have remained, after defraying the actual expense of paper, printing, and distribution. In future, it is intended that it shall contri

bute a definite sum, proportioned to whatever may be the profits, more or less, of the publication. It is here explicitly stated, that this work shall henceforth be tithed, for the aid of Christian charities-every tenth dollar of clear income, shall go into the treasury of the Lord-it shall help to form a fund, to be appropriated annually, by some members of the Presbyterian church, clergy and laity, impartially selected. And if the work shall merit and receive a patronage which shall only approximate that which some such works are now actually receiving. it will, in addition to its main design of promulgating evangelical truth and intelligence, serve the same sacred cause, by very considerably augmenting the funds destined to that object.

The kinds of matter which this publication will contain, it is not thought necessary to specify in detail. The Editor will have constantly before him the best religious miscellanies, which are published both in Europe and the United States, and will endeavour, as far as possible, to model and improve his own work, by all the aids which he can derive from these sources. It is only thought necessary to mention particularly, that an attempt will be made to give a condensed and comprehensive view of religious intelligence; that the readers of the Christian Advocate may know the existing state of Bible societies, missions, and revivals of religion, without being at the expense and trouble, which many cannot afford, of purchasing and reading the numerous publications, to which these interesting and important objects have recently given occasion.

It has certainly been a just cause of regret, and we know that it has, by many, been greatly regretted, that although the Presbyterian denomination of Christians is among the most numerous of any in the United States, and certainly not prepared to admit that it imbodies either less talent or less piety than other communions, yet it has, hitherto, made no combined and continued effort, to establish and maintain a religious periodical publication. It has been seen that such a publication, if ably conducted and widely circulated, would not only be highly reputal to the Presbyterian body, but directly and eminently useful, by seasonably communicating important information, by

promoting harmony and combined exertion, by diffusing and increasing theological knowledge, by ministering much to Christian edification, and by helping forward, generally, the plans which have been formed, and the efforts which are now making throughout Protestant Christendom, for evangelizing the world. It has been believed that it was due from the Presbyterian Church to the common cause of Christianity, that she should maintain a publication of this character: and that such a publication the Christian Advocate may, and probably will become, there is no vanity in affirming, if the clergy and laity of the Presbyterian Church will cordially unite, and give it that steady patronage, in intellectual labour and pecuniary encouragement, which they can well and easily afford. That to an union and patronage so desirable there might be no hindrance, but every inducement, it has been determined to conduct the work on the liberal, and we hope unexceptionable plan and principles, which have already been stated.

Deeply sensible, after all, that no human undertaking, however wisely planned or well intended, will ever be successful, unless the Divine blessing rest upon it, the conductors of this miscellany desire, in conclusion, to implore for it fervently, the smiles and benediction of the God of providence and grace: and they earnestly ask the prayers of their fellow Christians, that it may ever be conducted in the manner best calculated to promote the glory of God, the honour of his coequal Son and Spirit, and the salvation of immortal souls.

Philadelphia, December 2, 1822.