Page 72, Line 38, erase the word "Man." 75, 18, for "Christianity" read "Sectarianism." 130, 4, for " Affirmative Article II." read" Negative Article III." London: J. & W. RIDER, Printers, 14, Bartholomew Close, E.C. CONTROVERSIALIST, AND LITERARY MAGAZINE: ESTABLISHED FOR THE IMPARTIAL AND DELIBERATE DISCUSSION RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY, HISTORY, POLITICS, SOCIAL ECONOMY, ETC., AND AS A MAGAZINE OF SELF-CULTURE. "MAGNA EST VERITAS, ET PRÆVALEBIT." "I am one who would gladly be refuted, if I should say anything not true,-and would gladly refute another, should he say anything not true,-but would no less gladly be refuted, than refute. Nothing, I conceive, is so great an evil as a false opinion of matters of moral concernment."-Socrates. "I am convinced from long observation, that every truth, really interesting to mankind, is discovered more fully and more clearly by the investigation of inquirers whose ability, and perhaps motives to inquire, are various."-Dr. Parr. VOLUME VI.-NEW SERIES. LONDON: HOULSTON AND WRIGHT, 65, PATERNOSTER ROW. PREFACE. AT no previous period in the history of this country has there been in the public mind so wide-spread and deep a conviction of the importance of extended and liberal education, as exists at the present time. Mere elementary knowledge, and technical information, are now regarded as means, rather than ends; and generous culture-including mental training and moral discipline—is the great desideratum of the age. To supply this want, various movements have been commenced, numerous educational institutions have been established, and the operations of existing ones have been greatly extended and popularized. Yet, amidst all that is thus pleasing, it appears to us that the periodical press has not hitherto received its proper recognition as an educational agency. It is looked upon by many as a source of information and amusement, instead of being regarded as a power which " moves and moulds" the minds of men. It is forgotten that the serial is generally the successor of the teacher and the tutor; that it frequently carries on their work, and not merely sustains a love of learning, but often creates a taste for literary efforts and pursuits. That this has been pre-eminently the case with the British Controversialist, we have abundant evidence to prove; and this fact in itself constitutes a strong claim for public encouragement and support. But we can take higher ground than this; for the special mission of this Magazine, as distinguished from that of all others, is to foster the formation of enlightened and truthful opinions on all great questions belonging to social economy, politics, philosophy, and religion. And this is done, not by the advocacy of any set of opinions, but by placing our friends in a position to weigh and examine all for themselves. To accomplish this, we summon into our arena, not the "controversial duellists," to display their skill, or carry on their deadly strife, but we invite earnest and intelligent men, who honestly differ from each other in opinion, here to meet in friendly debate, setting forth their own views, and canvassing the views of others, while the reader is left calmly to draw his own inferences, and to form his own conclusions. By pursuing this simple plan, we have not only disseminated knowledge, but we have promoted the formation of enlightened thought and impartial opinion, and thus influenced the higher regions of humanity, and affected for good the fountain heads of life and conduct. It was the custom of the old French nobility to hang up their escutcheons in the halls of those palaces where they had been liberally entertained with good cheer; and our readers seem to be acting on the same plan, from the numerous testimonials to usefulness which they are placing in the archives of this |