And the time, we doubt not, will soon come, when the different branches of practical and theoretical philosophy; and, what is of infinitely superior importance;-religious knowledge will be as extensively diffused, over all ranks in society, from the highest to the lowest, as were the knowledge of the alphabet; and the first elements of a rude education among the lower classes some hundred years ago in our country and in Europe.

It must also have struck every observer that a very remarkable change, in the mode of conveying knowledge, by the learned, has attended, or rather has preceded this happy condition of things.

In the centuries that are past, the learned never thought of addressing themselves to the vulgar-as they called the operative class of the community; or indeed the great mass of the people. They wrote folios and quartos, and these folios and quartos were addressed only to the learned. Their contents were not designed for the great body of the people. And if it so happened that occasionally they might have been adapted to the instruction of the community in general, the very expense attending them removed their usefulness totally beyond their reach.

The evil was not much corrected by the writers of the next age, who followed with their expensive octavos-still designed for the hands and the libraries of the learned; and for those who-learned, or not learned-could enjoy within the walls of a college; and under the patronage of an ecclesiastical establishment-ease and a sinecure!

But now a great revolution has taken place on this head;- -or rather a most salutary reformation, which will be followed by the happiest results.

Men of letters begin to address themselves to the humblest, as well as to the highest; to the illiterate as well as to the learned. And they send forth their communications in daily; in weekly; in monthly, or in quarterly publications; which are thus made accessible to all-and contain matter of instruction on their miscellaneous pages, admirably adapted to every class of men. This is an admirable devise that has been fallen on, in late times, to diffuse all kinds of knowledge among every condition of men!

No lover of truth-no lover of his country and of the church of God can, without delight and gratitude, look over the great number of this kind of publications in our rising country.

We see, around us, men of the greatest talents; and the finest literary accomplishments, labouring with zeal and success in the cause of religion and science. And when we consider what must be the vast amount of useful knowledge, in religious and practical science diffused throughout the country, among all ranks, even to the lowest classes ;-in the course of a year, or a month, or a week-we must be convinced of the very great utility

of these periodical works. And we shall be readily disposed to admit, that the multiplying of their number-provided that sound principles be carefully diffused by them—should not only not be deprecated; but, on the contrary, encouraged and welcomed as so many additional means of multiplying blessings to the church, and to our country.

It is with these impressions that the Editor offers THe Magazine of tHE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH to the patronage of the christian public in general; and to our fathers and brethren of the Reformed Dutch Church in particular.

Waving many considerations, which might be urged in our favour; I request their attention to one class of facts, which, it is presumed, they will consider worthy of due regard.

The Reformed Dutch Church is an extensive and flourishing church. In Europe, from the period of the Reformation, until the latter part of the last century; and particularly on our continent, she has always been distinguished for her ardent zeal, and her perseverance in defence of the pure doctrines of the gospel. She can point to a long line of theologians who have occupied the foremost rank as popular preachers; and as profound and orthodox writers. Their rich materials are deposited with her; and are ready to be developed for the instruction of the rising generation.

She is, moreover, a wealthy church, and her sons-particularly of late, have been distinguished for their benevolence and charity.

And yet, while other religious denominations have had, by a laudable and pious effort, their respective periodical publications; she has not yet had her Magazine. She has not yet had a single periodical work which she could call her own; or which she could wish to patronize as a church. She has not had one solitary paper to visit the dwellings of her sons and daughters, to tell them what their venerated forefathers were; how exemplary and pure their lives were; how zealous they were for the unadulterated word of God; how faithfully they taught it; and how ably they defended it; and how piously they transmitted it to us! There has not been one religious weekly, or monthly messenger to visit us; "to excite in us a tender sympathy-a generous attachment to the church of our forefathers; where embosomed they now sleep; and where the memory of their virtues ought to be fondly cherished;" that by us they may be carefully copied into our lives; and set before our children in the purity and piety of parental examples !

This want had long been sensibly felt by us. And we have long been wishing for a periodical work, which might accomplish these important objects. And which, moreover, might be the instrument of diffusing missionary information among our churches: which might combine the efforts

of the brethren in the common cause: which might keep constantly in view before the members and lovers of our Zion her best interests; which might advocate the pure doctrines of our church; and defend them against the in vasion of modern speculations: which might also explain and enforce the principles of discipline and church government: and which, by an exhibition of facts; and the urging of constant appeals to her piety and generosity, might call forth the vigor of her missionary efforts, in behalf of our desolate churches, and the unenlightened portions of our land.

Accordingly, the following Resolution was passed by the General Synod at their last meeting in New-Brunswick, in September last year.

"Resolved, that this Synod recommend to the Board of Managers of the Missionary Society of the Reformed Dutch Church the issuing of a periodical publication as a necessary vehicle of spreading abroad, in all the borders of the church, such information as is necessary:-and that the Synod recommend the same to the patronage of the church; and the Synod do warmly recommend to all their churches the favourable reception of any agent, or agents sent among them by the Missionary Society, in the furtherance of their laudable efforts for the good of the church."

This Magazine is, therefore, the child of the General Synod.-And a se lect body of our able and learned men are pledged to sustain it by their influence and literary efforts. And we look with affectionate respect-under the blessing of Almighty God, from whom all our success flows...." Nisi Dominus frustra"-to the christian public; and to the Ministry, the members, and the friends of the Reformed Dutch Church in particular; for their countenance and support. They will, surely, not refuse their prayers, nor deny their efficient aid to the only Magazine of their own church, and the church of their pious fathers; which, we have seen, derived its existence from the zeal of her ministry: and which, in proportion to its patronage, will enrich our Missionary funds. For a pledge has been given that the net gains arising from it are to be appropriated to the Missionary wants of the Reformed Dutch Church.

It is seriously hoped that this appeal to the generosity and piety of the Dutch Church will not be made in vain.

Recent efforts on behalf of our beloved church have been crowned with signal success in favour of our Theological and Literary Institution. We have been surprised and gladdened by one gracious interposition after another. Never, before, has our church enjoyed a condition and prospects. so auspicious as at the present time.-The contemplated publication is offered on liberal terms. The Editor, if God shall spare his health, will not be awanting in his duty to you. The Magazine will, by the grace of God, exert a salutary influence on our College; on our Missionary operations; and

will, we trust, be a source of instruction and gratification to the members of our church, and our brethren in Christ around us.

To the christian public the Editor owes it as a duty to himself to say-that the Magazine of the Dutch Church will not, by any means, be a controversial or a sectarian work. We salute with perfect respect and veneration our christian brethren; and especially the Editors of the numerous and truly able periodical publications; who are labouring in the common cause of the pure gospel of our Lord. We bid them all God's speed who "love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth." We offer ourselves as their associate-cheerfully reciprocating with them what we do feel and avow, that "there are differences of administrations-but the same Lord." And, copying their example, we give them our pledge, that we will place ourselves by their side, to oppose the common enemy; and that, at the same time, we will devote ourselves fearlessly to the defence of the doctrines of the gospel; as these are extracted out of the Holy Bible, (the only rule of faith and morals:) and expressed in purity and precision in the canons and decrees of the Synod of Dort; and in our Heidelbergh Catechism.

The Magazine will contain, from time to time, an abstract of the history of the Dutch Church from the MSS. and printed documents in possession of our ministers. It will contain, occasionally, Translations from the volumes of rich materials among us in the Dutch and Latin languages :Abstracts of the proceedings of Synods, and Classes; and of the Missionary Society :-Religious and foreign missionary intelligence:-Biography :Original communications on religious subjects :-Reviews and critical notices:-Religious anecdotes:-Obituaries:—and brief Original Sermons occasionally, over the signature of our ministers.

And the materials will be arranged, as far as practicable, in the following

manner:

1. Religious communications.

2. Reviews and critical dissertations.

3. Miscellaneous articles-selections, &c.

4. Religious intelligence.

5. Literary and philosophical notices.

6. View of public affairs in general.

7. Obituaries.

8. Poetry-original and selected.

The Editor requests the literary gentlemen who form the list of efficient contributors; and all others who will favuor us with their productions, to be punctual in forwarding their communications in good season. The Maga

zine will be published on the first of each month. And it is necessary that

papers intended for the number about to be issued, should be in the Editor's hands by the 10th or 15th day of the preceding month.

All communications, it is to be understood between the Editor and his correspondents, are to be subject to such corrections and alterations as the committee of criticism and review shall deem necessary and proper. This is usual in all such works: and it is reasonable. We will depart from this rule only in those instances, where our literary friends in the ministry will affix their names to the papers with which they favour us.

To open a source of useful and interesting religious intelligence, and to avail ourselves of the variety and talent in the religious productions of British christians; we have made an arrangement with a distinguished bookseller in New-York to import for us a suitable number of the principal religious periodical publications of England and of Scotland. And these, it is pledged

to us, will reach us forty days after the day of their respective publications in Britain.

In fine, being deeply convinced that no work, however planned, or laboriously executed, can be made to prosper by any human effort and being as deeply convinced that the Divine blessing alone can give prosperity to our enterprises; the Editor professes, with humility and fervent prayer, to commit the work to the care and the blessing of Almighty God!

New-Brunswick, April 1, 1826.