Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-10-17

esninp the bonds Of society, and exten6-
ing the Kingdom of Love and Harnao-
nv, which i. the kingdom of the n,
deemer. :.
It is principally with view to this
great object that the present work Is /.
undertaken; and among the numerous
publications which appear every monsh,
the CHRISTIAN OBSERVER is selected
and preferred, as best calculated to at
tain so glorious an end. And that this |
may be done with greater effect, orr
einal matter will occasionally be insert
ed in the work, which may supersede
such articles as apply Immediately, or
exclusively to Great Britain, and bear
a special reference to the state OF reil-
eion in America. Wherefore, the prln-
cipal religious publications OF our own
citizens will be noticed and examined
without partially or prejudice, with
tn. eve ofcriticism, but under the sane
tons of religion. But the English Edi-
tors of the Christian ObssrUfr will, IN
the following paragraphs, Dest eHPlali'
the nature of this work
=" The superior advantages of a peri
edical publication for rendering the va
rious departments Of useful knowledge
easy and accessible, and giving more
ready currency, and wider circulatioH
to topics of general concein, are sufii-
GENTLY known, and have been cor hrm-
ed by the testimony of long and gene
raj experience. BY this mode Of con-
veying formation, subjects the most
interesting in their nature such as are
intimately connected with the real well
fare and true happiness of mankind, may
be discussed with plainness ard bre-
witty which would be unsuitable in works
of different construction preJudlces
and misapprehensions of local and
temporary nature, springing from
wrong education, or originating in the
fashion and temper of the times may be
conveniently exposed and corrected, and
the most prevailing and malignant er-
rors of the day may be combated as they
arise.
These and various other convent
epces peculiar to undertakings OF this
kind are so generally understood and a,-
knowledged, that few periodical works
have failed of conci!ia'ing the favor ana
patrona &c Of the public, when the sub
iects have been selected with tolerable
Judgment, and the plan has been exc
cuted with care and regularity.
"At period like this, when Dra-
matte compositions, Tales, Novels,
Newspapers, Magazines and Reviews,
are disseminating doctrines subverslve
of all morality, and p"opagating lie cts
the most hostile to p!ety, order, and se'
neral happiness; some friends of civil
government and revealed religion, have
felt on them openly to OPP
pose the progress of iawiss" opinions,
to strip skepicism and impossure of
their artful disguise, and bv displaying
the true features of libertinism and inn
piety, expose thea to deserved Con-
tempt ana adherence.
But the conductors of The Christian
Observer have no design Of confiaing
their labors to a defence of what may
be called the outworks Of christianity.
They will, indeed, zsalously cooperate
with those who are employed in that
important warfare; yet their chief oh
lect'i, to promote the Increase OF sound
theological knowledge, and to de!ine"te
the characters Of genuine and unaduile-
rated christianity. But in these, and III
ali other discussions, they will endea-
vor carefully to avoid whatever may
tend to lessen that christian love, which
ought to unite the members of Christ
of every denomination and it will be
their constant object through the me-
dunn of their publication, to excite and
cherish the affections Of charity piety,
and fervent devotion and to direct
their fellow christians in the prths Of
truth and righteousness"
The Publisher presents the tubHc Nth
the .follos5iny recommendation Of the
work:
g The Christian Observer is a judi
cious and pious periodical work, which
has attracted the attention, and com
maNded the spproh-tion, of the serious
part of the community in England, to
an unusual degree. 1t is with pleasure
VIC see that it is Undertaken to be re-
published in Burlington, N ]. under
the superintendent of the Rev. DR..
Wharton, whose religious and literary
character are calculated TO give the pub.
lication the highest recommendation.
both for lis accuracy and its elegant ex-
nc,1tiop -