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Palestine Mission--Letter of the

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243

ib.

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Relig. Inteli.--Pennsylvania--Thir-
ty-eighth Annual Convention;
Clergy; Congregations; Bishop's
Address: Episcopal Acts; Reli-
gious Societies; Funds
Removals; Parochial Reports ;
Standing Committee; Delegates 260
Boston Society for promoting Chris-
tianity among the Jews, Circular
Letter

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261

On the Papal Dispensation of Oaths 307

Review of Bancroft's Sermons, (con-
tinued from p. 289.)

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THE

GOSPEL ADVOCATE.

"Knowing that I am set for the defence of the Gospel." Phil. i. 17.

No. 13.]

JANUARY, 1822.

[No. 1. Vol. II.

THEOLOGICAL.

TO THE PATRONS OF THE GOSPEL

ADVOCATE.

AT the commencement of a new year, the conductors of the Gospel Advocate consider it as a fit occasion to implore the blessing of almighty God upon their future labours, and to express their gratitude to him, that he hath been pleased to prosper their past exertions. In saying that their exertions have been prospered, they wish not to be understood as magnifying their merits or their success. A periodical publication like theirs has, in its infancy, to struggle with many disadvantages. Expenses constantly accumulating, which the increase of subscriptions does not equal, until the character of the work is established, render its fate precarious; and in most cases it is not till the expiration of the first year, that any calculation can be formed, as to the probability of its permanence. In the case of the Gospel Advocate, therefore, the conductors feel themselves much encouraged by the circumstance, that notwithstanding the low prices at which it has been sold, the number of subscribers is nearly adequate to the expenses. The patronage of the publick, has been gradually increasing, from month to month, and the work is beginning to circulate in the extremities of the union, What is of still more consequence, it has met with the approbation, wherever it has ADVOCATE, VOL. II.

2

been extended, of those whose praise the conductors would most covet; and animated by such encouragements, they enter on the duties of their second year, in the confident expectation that both the subscribers, aud the distant contributors to their work, will increase their patronage, and with prayer to the almighty Source of light and love, that he, without whose aid all labours would be ineffectual, will be pleased to illuminate, and guide, and control them.

To promote the honour of God's holy name, and the knowledge and reverence of his holy word, it will be, as it has been, their endeavour, to guard themselves, upon every subject, against the narrow feelings of party; and to take an expanded and liberal view of all that is connected with the Christian religion. When they speak of liberality, however, they wish to be understood in the proper sense of that much abused term. By expanded and liberal views, they mean those views of Christian doctrine, discipline and worship, which result from an examination of the whole Christian church, as it has existed in all ages, and in all places. The moment men confine their views to the habits and practices of the small spot which they themselves inhabit, their vision becomes contracted. The smallest of their own observances appear to be as important as the first principles of the doctrine of Christ; and the con

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