Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-03-20
Christian Advocate.

The union of literature with genuine
Christianity, at all times important, IS
peculiarly SO at this time, and In this
country. The enemies Of truth as il is
in Jesus, are using all their endeayors to
maintain their cause and extend their
influence, by the powerful auxillaries oil
erudition and taste; and if the truth be
left naked, or appear only in careless
or slovenly garb, it will not be likely to
attract the attention and win the hearts
of that large and important portion Of
the community which consists Of the
young, the cultivated and aspiring. We
know, indeed, that success IL incuice
ting evangelical truth must come fcom
God, and that nothing but hIs grace
will ever change single human heart.
Still we are not TO expect miracles - we
are only to expect the smiles Of Proyi
dence, and the influence of Divine grace,
in the use Of vigorous exertions, and Of
means naturally adapted to the effects
intended to be produced. When the enc
| mics of vital godliness assail it with
learning and wit, they must be combated
with the legitimate use of the arms which
they abuse. In this service the Chris
tian Advocate aspires to take part;
sensible, indeed, that it must be an hum
BILE part. 1t aspires to be somewhat in
strumenta' in preventing the evil effects
of literature misapplied, in cuItivating
and difluslng sound biblical criticism,
in exposing Misrepresentation 4 soPhls-
try, in clothing the pure doctrines of the
gospel in that chaste and attractive
dress which may give full effect to their
native charms, in endeayoring to cherish
the love OF learning and just taste a
: mong the younger clergy, and to pro.
mote, generally, among orthodox Chris
tians, that tone and aspect of true evan
geIicaI piety, which shall demonstrate
that it is net hostile but highly favorable
to whatsoever things are true, honest,
just, pure, lovely, and Of good report -
If, under the Divine blessings, it shall
be found that these results, to any con-
siderable extent, have been produced
by this publication, it will have render
ed service in which all who shall have
given it their aid will have reason fore
yer to rejoice.
The kinds of matter which this publ
cation will contain, it is not thought
necessary to specify in detail. The Edi-
tor will have constantly before him the
best religious miscellonies, which are
published both in Europe and the United
States, ADD will endeavor, as far as pos
sible, to model and improve his own
| work, by all the aids which he can de-
rive from these sources. 1t is only
thought necessary TO mention particular
~, that an attempt will be made TO give
a condensed and comprehensive view of
religious Intelligence; that the readers ot
the Christian Advocate may know the
existing state of Bible societies, mis-
sions, and reviyals of religion, without
being at the expense and trouble, which
many cannot afford, of purchasing and
reading the numerous publications. to
which these interesting and important OBJ
jects have recently gwen occasion
A number of the Christian Advocate
shall be Issued in the first week Of every
month.
One tenth of the profits of this work
shall help to form fund to be appropri
ated annually to Christian charities by
some members of the Presbyterian
Church, clergy and laity, imPaEtially
selected.
All communications on the subject of
the work are to be post paid, and addro'
sed to the publisher, &c. LrrrELL.
Philadelphia "
This work, which is continuation Of
' the Presbyterian Magazine, began in
January, 1928.
] Published month'y-Price IS a gear,
payable on delivery Of the jane number;
or $3.50 1paid in adraace.
81 Subscriptions received at the OF
fee of the alarUnsburs G,zettA