PUBLISHED BY LEONARD C. BOWLES,

CORNER OF WASHINGTON AND SCHOOL STREETS.

BY CHARLES S. FRANCIS, NEW YORK.

JOHN MARDEN, LONDON.

EDWARD WILLMER, LIVERPOOL.

Minot Pratt Printer.

PROSPECTUS

OF THE

UNITARIAN ADVOCATE

AND

RELIGIOUS MISCELLANY.

(NEW SERIES.)

CONDUCTED BY AN ASSOCIATION OF GENTLEMEN.

THIS work is intended for the defence and wider dissemination of the religious views which commend themselves to the Unitarian, as the most scriptural and rational. But in pursuing these objects, we hope never to forget that the great principles of Christianity are the peculiar property of no denomination of Christians, but are held in common by thein all. While we strive to dispel those prejudices which give to error its most efficient support, we shall labor yet more earnestly to correct those misapprehensions which have reached the heart with their influence, and caused a feeling of abhorrence to mingle with the love of supposed truth in the minds of our opponents.

The Unitarian Advocate and Religious Miscellany is open for discussions on all important topics of morals and religion. Essays and Dissertations relating to Scriptural interpretation, and adapted to throw light on the sacred volume, and assist the serious inquirer in his pursuit of truth, will be especially welcome. A temperate exposure of prevailing erroneous opinions, and an open though charitable and candid defence of what is esteemed important truth in opposition to these opinions, will be frequently attempted in this work.

Writers will receive 50 cents a page for all matter contributed and accepted.

CONDITIONS.

I. The Unitarian Advocate and Religious Miscellany will be pub. lished on the first day of every month, commencing with January, 1830 each number to contain 48 pages duodecimo, handsomely printed on superfine paper, with new type-the whole making two volumes a year, of 288 pages each.

II. Price, Two Dollars a year-to be paid on the delivery of the 3d number.

III. Any person who shall procure five subscribers, shall receive one copy gratis.

IV. Agents will be supplied with the work on the following terms viz-For one hundred copies, one third discount; fifty copies, one fourth discount.-Any number less than fifty, one fifth discount.

All communications in any way relating to the work to be made to the publisher.

Subscriptions received by the publisher, Boston; by David Felt N. York; Cary & Hart, Philadelphia; Toy and Lucas, Baltimore: Thomas Cousins, Charleston, S. C; and by Agents in all the principal towns in the United States.

L. C. BOWLES, Publisher, Boston.

THE DEFECT OF THE TIMES.

It is our duty to observe and scrutinize the aspects of the passing age, and as occasion may invite or demand, we should utter our fears, or express our convictions. The present is a season strongly marked in its characteristics. There is much in the aspect of the times to delight and encourage the friends of human improvement. But who can deny-what wise or good man will deny, that there are serious evils by which the age is oppressed? After all the progress that has been made, and with all the high impulses that are now in action, who does not perceive the existence of some great defect? Society needs some essential change, in its habits, its principles or its purposes. The christian world is not what it should be. This indeed is not a new complaint. At no time since the apostolic age has the church presented that appearance of spiritual health,

which should belong to the body, of which, in the figurative language of scripture, Christ is the head. Different maladies have seized on it; ignorance, superstition, bigotry, and pride, have fastened themselves upon it with united force, and once it nearly sunk under their power. The diseases of former periods we can discover,-may we not ascertain the nature of those which are at present counteracting the influences of the gospel? What is the fault of the times? what is it that prevents the developement of those energies which Christianity carries in its spirit.

If our readers acknowledge that there is some great defect in society, they will be as anxious as we for its discovery and correction. But some persons may doubt its existence. Look then into the christian world, and compare the actual effects of the gospel with its inherent power. Where are the proofs of its mighty energy? where its achievements that indicate its divine origin? In the breasts of its disciples, do you reply? We acknowledge its efficacy in thousands of hearts; but the number of them who bear the christian name is estimated as more than two hundred millions. Where is the evidence that Christianity acts powerfully on these souls? There are said to be sixty million Protestants. Does Christianity accomplish its purposes among them? A few striking facts will not afford an answer to this question. What is the general character of society? what its prevailing tone? what the predominant tendency of its action? To these points must observation be directed; and when it is

faithfully bestowed, no man of sound judgement can affirm that he is satisfied with the influence which Christianity exerts. When one considers the character of the religion of the New Testament; when he examines its truths, its purposes, its sanctions; and when he views it in connexion with human capacities and wants, he may think that he beholds an instrument which must convert every mind that it touches into the abode of angelic virtue. And then, when he surveys our own country, and sees the worldliness that prevails in all classes, the selfishness that everywhere discovers itself, here thoughtless or desperate extravagance and there miserable parsimoniousness, bold crime and mean vice, irreligion and false religion, religion that is meant to deceive others, and religion that tries to deceive itself; when he sees fashion and folly, error and sin, sharing the spoils of intellect and heart which they gather in their walks through the land, he must perceive that Christianity is hindered and thwarted by causes, which, if he be a lover of his country or his fellowmen, he will be anxious to penetrate. True, he will be delighted with examples of high worth, he will find many in whom divine Truth is a living principle of power and beauty; he will meet with noble institutions, and be continually reminded of the fruits of the gospel, which have sprung up in the paths of domestic and social life. But he will expect and require something more. There are souls in whom the fire of liberty burns intensely in Spain, and there are free institutions in South America; but they who understand the na