Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1823-12-31
ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC.

America have long been familiar. 1t is SO
we'll known, so generally admired, so univer-
sally sought, and so highly appreciated, that
no particular recommendation in its favour
| has been accepted, preicrring rather to de-
pend on its established fame and intrinsic
| merits for success than to attach to our pros
pectus the best written eulogium which the
brightest genius in our country could produce.
SFACkHOUSE, as an ingenious compiler, as
man OF learning and research, and a, pro-
| found Iheologian, ranked in his own day
among those who gained the highest literary
conference.-the lapse Of time has contributed
exceedingly to increase his well earned celeb
rity.
The BoDY OF DIVINITY which is now pro-
posed to BE- republished, was originally COM
piled for the Episcopal Church of England. 1t
first emanated from the Press in the early part
OF the eighteenth century. Since then, it has
stood its ground and sustained a reputation
beyond which Contemporary writers never did,
and subsequent writers never have been able
! to pass. Several editions of il have been cir
! Culated in Great Britain, but it has never yet
| been published in the United States Various
compilations Of systematic Theology, have
been repeatedly committed 10 the American
Press, each of which has been ada pied to the
standard of faith of the respective denomna-
tions for whom it was published. This work
professedly written on the .4raai7iGn Scheme;
but notwithstanding this, its high character
has caused it to be an object of anxious inqui-
ry by every class of christians. 1t has here
tofore been in the hands OF few in the United
States except divines, and for these it has gen.
orally been imported by order, and at great
expense. The reason why it has never been
| reprinted in the United States is obvious. In
matters of faith, mopopolies have been sought
with no less avldlty, (perhaps not improperly
than in the mart of the merchant; and those
denominations of christians whose pretensons
have not been supported by widely EXTEND
ed and numerous fraternity have been COM
PEELED to Coalesce, and reciprocate tavours in
the Book-market, in order to obtain from the
publishers OF books throughout our country,
! that kind of spiritual nutriment which would
enable them TO grow up in the faith and opin-
ions which they delighted to cherish as the
! foundation of their future hopes.-Where this
advantage was not presented, the student in
divinity was compelled to wade through Tones
OF ancient authors in the dead languages to
satisfy his enquiries, or TO collectt those systems
of opinions which are laid down by ttcologi-
ans--as founded on, or deducted from the sal
cred records-!rom An endless variety OF writ
ers, many of whose sentiments they viewed
both as absurd and inconsistent.
The design of the publisher in Offering an
edition of STAcKaoUsE's Body of Speculative
and Practical Dirinity to the public, is two
| fold; namely, for their good and his own.
the public, will be obyiated. There are a
number of respectable and pious classes of
christians and christian ministers throughout
our country, who will doubtless avail them
selves OF the opportunity now offered to obtain
| it upon reasonable terms by encouraging az
| American edition. OF the Authors style he
viii only say, that it is plain, hut nervous,
bold and eloquent.-The work in general
evinces tho profound scholar and the pious
Ghristian-but he does not wish to incur the
charge of exaggerated commentator; such
an imputation, lie presumes, will not be offer
ed by those who have read the work with inn
While he wishes to supply demand for it
which seems now TO be particularly called for.
ne is DESTROYS to obtain subscription which
will defray the expense, and compensate him
! tor his labour. More than this is not expect
ed-any other reason than this would not be
the truth, and he hopes that the public will
/ appreciate his candour in this avowal. He
good. Truth, and whatever tends to eluci-
date and confirm it, are in the present age, OBJ
| iects of research and inquiry.-ln this work,
all the leading doctrines Of the Holy Scrip
lures are amply discussed and explained. To
! the pious layman it will supercedc the neces-
sity of great variety of works on divinity
which he may be desirous to possess, but which
| he may not have the means to procure. By
| purchasing this work, true economy may be
consulted, as the necessity procuring many
| fugitive works which obtrude themselves on
partial attention, and from those who have not
given it perusal, it would DE premature.
CONDITIONS.
This work will he put to Press as soon as the
subscription will delray the expenses of the
edition.
1t will be printed in the best manner, with
new type, and on superline wovc paper, ex-
ira medium size.
1t will be published in three volumes, octa-
vo, each averaging $50 pages; or in monthly
numbers of about 1873 pages each.
The price will be seven dollars and fifty
cents, in boards, or in numbers, the latter
covered in the usual manner OF periodical
works, and eight dollars handsomely bound
and lettered. This is half the European
price, and it is in a more portable size.
All payments to be made when the work
| is delivered, whether in volumes or numbers
and all communications to be post paid.
o. Subscriptions will be received at the
SpY OFFICE, and at the Store Of EARLE &
| CHASE.