Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1823-12-17
ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC.

The worit now offered to the public is one
with which the literary world in England and
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, prefcrrins 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.
STACKHOUSE, as an ingenious compiler, as
a man of learning and research, and as pro-
found Theologian, ranked iu his own day
among those who gained the highest literary
eminence--the lapse of time has contributed
exceedingly to increase his well earned celeb
Tity.
The BoDY OF DIVINITY which is now pro-
posed to be republished, was originally. COM
piled for the Episcopal Church of England. II
first emanated from the Press in the early part
of the eighteenth century. Since then, it has
stood its ground and sustained reputation
beyond which contemporary writers never did,
and subsequent writers never have been able
to pass. Several editions of it 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 TO the American
Press, each Of which has been adapted to the
standard Of faith of the respective denom'na-
tions for whom it was published. This work
is professedly written on the .4rmir,safI Scheme;
but Notwithstanding this, its high character
has caused it to be an object of anxious inqui-
nv 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, r1onopoles have been sought
with no less avidity, (perhaps not improperly, }
than in the mart of the merchant; and those
denominations of christians whose pretensions
have not been supported by widely extend
ed and numerous fraternity have been com.
PEELED to coalesce, and reciprocate favours 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 '~as compelled to wade through Tonnes
OF ancient authors in the dead languages to
satisfy his enquiries, or TO collecttbose systems
of opinions which are laid down by theologi-
ans-as founded on, or deducted from the sa-
cred records--from 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 STAcKHoUsE's Body of Specutat.ve
and Practical Dirinity to the public, is two.
fold; namely, for their good and his own.
While he wishes to supply a demand for il
which seems now to be particularly called for,
ne is DESTROYS to obtain a subscription which
will defray the expense, and compensate him
for bis labour. More than this is not expect
e5-any other reason than this would not be
The truth, and he hopes that the public will
appreciate his candour in this avowal. He
believes the work eminently calculated to do
good. Truth, and Whatever tends to eluci-
date and confirm it, are in the present age, OBJ
Jects Of research and iuquiry.-In this work,
all the leading doctrines of the Holy Scrip.
lures are amply discussed and explained. To
the pious layman it will supercede the neces-
sity of great variety of works on divinity
which he may be DESTROYS to possess, but which
he may not have the means to procure. Ry
purchasing this work, true economy may be
consulted, as the necessity of procuring many
fugitive works (which obtrude themselves on
the public, will be obyated. 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 an
American edition. or the Authors style he
will only say, that it is plain, hut nervous,
bold and. eloquent.-The work in general
evinces the profound scholar and the pious
christian-but he does not wish to incur the
charge Of exaggerated commentator; such
= an imputation, be presumes, will not-be ofer-