Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

CONTROVERSIALIST,

AND

LITERARY MAGAZINE:

DEVOTED TO THE IMPARTIAL AND DELIBERATE DISCUSSION OF
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS IN

RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY, HISTORY, POLITICS,
SOCIAL ECONOMY, ETC.,

AND TO THE PROMOTION OF SELF-CULTURE AND GENERAL
EDUCATION.

[blocks in formation]

LONDON:

J. AND W. RIDER, PRINTERS. 14, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE.

Ar no period, since the establishment of this Serial, has the public mind of our country been so deeply and widely agitated on questions of such grave import as during the brief space of time over which the publication of this volume, in its monthly parts, has extended. It may be true that few new objections have been brought against commonly received truths, but the old ones have come from new quarters, and been urged with increased force and effect. No longer is it left to men without the pale of the Church to doubt her peculiar doctrines, and deny her special facts; for this is now done by some of those who occupy her positions of honour; who are engaged in teaching in her seminaries, and in ministering at her altars. With whatever feelings of hope or fear this fact may be regarded, we have in it a striking illustration of the restlessness of the thought, and the fearlessness of the opinions, which are the peculiar outgrowths of our day. In it, too, may be seen how feeble are mere forms of words, and how powerless are mere organizations to regulate sentiments, and stereotype convictions; for through all these the spirit of free inquiry will range unchecked; and above all these the desire for truth will maintain itself supreme. But inquiry-all the more because it is freerequires guidance, the desire for truth needs direction towards right modes of gaining information, and those who furnish either merit the title of public benefactors. To that high honour the Editor of this work aspires, and hence he has secured in the present volume a careful logical examination of the celebrated "Essays and Reviews," as well as a series of arguments, pro and con, on the propriety of the course adopted by the dignitaries of the church, with regard to that work. Nor is this all that has been done to employ controversy to good purpose; for questions respecting the institution of the christian ministry, the true principles of art, the existence and operation of the House of Lords, will be found fully, and we hope fairly, discussed in these pages, with others having reference to the Secession of the Free Church of Scotland, and the wisdom and economy of the employment of females in the various branches of trade and commerce. And, further still, under the head of the Topic, there have been given outline debates,

« AnteriorContinuar »