PREFACE.

THE first year of their labours having been brought to a period, the Editors of the Churchman's Magazine esteem it their duty to offer to their readers a few remarks, before they pass on to the field of exertion which yet lies before them.

They entered on their work, with the full conviction on their minds of the necessity that some periodical publication, conducted by members of their own communion, should be put into the hands of Episcopalians. They saw with what assiduity other denominations circulated their Magazines, which, however they might tend to general edification, were not calculated to enlighten Churchmen on those peculiar points of faith and discipline, which marked the early Church of Christ, and which we can never consent to surrender. They wished to become, as far as lay in their power, the humble instruments of shielding their brethren against the encroachments of false doctrine, heresy and schism-of instructing them in the spiritual use of their own formularies of devotion, and of promoting amongst them the cause of individual piety-the object for which all Christian institutions are ordained.

How far they have succeeded in accomplishing their desires of being useful, they cannot take upon them to decide: their readers must judge for themselves. But they may be permitted to state, in self-justification for the large number of Extracts which have appeared in their work, the great disadvantages under which it has been pursued. Most of the Editors are too deeply engaged in parochial duty, to allow them much time for original composition. Add to this, that they have received very few communications from their brethren of the clergy, and it will be seen, that by the operation of these two causes, they were compelled to resort to other publications for matter to supply their pages. They have constantly aimed, however, to insert such pieces as seemed most consonant with the design of the Churchman's Magazine, and flatter themselves that their readers will find no just cause of complaint of the selections which have been made.

On reviewing the ecclesiastical transactions of the past year, they think they are authorized to congratulate the friends of the Church on its increasing prosperity in most parts of the country. We have indeed yet to lament the want of a competent number of ministers of the Gospel, to supply our vacant churches, and to answer the loud and repeated calls from the Western States, for missionary assistance. A field of vast extent is open for those, who are willing to labour in it, for the reward which is pledged

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to those who turn many to righteousness. These wants, we hope, will speedily meet with a remedy; and till the ranks of the ministry are better filled, the Editors of the Magazine will not cease, at proper intervals, to call the attention of pious and promising young men to the subject.

In the recent permanent establishment of the Theological Seminary,' with so happy a concurrence of judgment and feeling in those who were concerned in its removal, the Editors find another subject of congratulation. Whatever fears they might have entertained for the peace and unity of the Church, while the two Seminaries remained separate, they have all been dispersed by the happy union of both in one, and the singular unanimity with which that measure was effected. They now look to this Institution as to a fountain, from which streams shall be annually sent forth to make glad the city of our God.

In looking back to the occurrences of the year, the Editors cannot avoid making mention of another Institution, in which the cause of humanity is deeply implicated. They allude to the projected Asylum for the Insane. They have so much confidence in the spirit and wisdom with which the cause of these unfortunate beings has been taken up, as to believe that it will be conducted to a prosperous issue, and a Retreat be provided for those whom God has visited with the heaviest of all calamities. They hope they shall be able to assure their readers, in the course of another year, that this benevolent design is so far advanced towards a completion, as to be secure against the possibility of failure.

In the hope that their efforts may be blessed in some humble degree, to the extension of piety and knowledge in the Church, the Editors cheerfully resume their labours, with the prayer that they may not be wholly in vain.

VOL. I.]

THE

CHURCHMAN'S MAGAZINE.

JANUARY, 1821.

TO THE PUBLIC.

THE editors of the Churchman's Magazine enter upon the task assigned them by the Convention of the diocess, with a deep sense of the importance of the undertaking, and of the responsibility which they consequently incur. From this responsibility, as well as the labour of conducting such a work, they would wiltingly excuse themselves. But, called as they are, by the highest ecclesiastical authority of the diocess, to this interesting duty, and indulging a hope, that they may render some service to the cause of Christianity, they will cheerfully continue to superintend the publication, until the same authority shall commit the work to other and abler hands.

As great latitude is usually allowed to the conductors of works of this description, in the selection and arrangement of materials, no particular detail of the plan of the present undertaking will be attempted. On this head, it is sufficient to say, that the leading objects of the publication will be, to communicate religious information and instruction, and to defend and explain the doctrines and principles of the Protestant Episcopal Church. In doing this, the editors will take the Scriptures, as they

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are explained in the Articles of the Church, in her formularies of devotion, and in theological works of standard authority, for their constant guide and direction. And although it is intended to make the Magazine, as far as practicable, an original work, its pages will occasionally be enriched by extracts from cotemporaneous religious works of acknowledged merit, both foreign and American.

It will be desirable to make the Magazine a repository of such sketches and facts relating to the Church, as may furnish the materials for a history of her rise and progress in the United States. Many interesting particulars of this nature may be collected; and more especially in the state of Connecticut-a state which had the distinguished honour of receiving the first Bishop of the American Church. To this end, the editors solicit the aged members of the Church, and others who may be in possession of documents or facts of this description, to communicate them for publication.

The editors, being severally engaged in extensive and laborious professional duties, will probably find but little leisure to bestow on this work. They must confidently de