7-14-47

PREFACE.

The design in establishing this Periodical, was expressed in the Prospectus to the work, viz: "to promote the interests of Education, Literature and Religion. Its articles will relate to Education in Common Schools, Academies, Colleges, and Professional Institutions, especially Theological Seminaries; to Biography, statistics of Churches, Ministers, Lawyers and Physicians; to religion generally-biblical literature, theology, the Church, the Christian Ministry, benevolent enterprises of the day, personal piety, and the spiritual improvement of the rising generation."

This design we have endeavored to accomplish, as our ability and time would allow. How far we have succeeded in our efforts, the public can judge.

Though the first three numbers were published in the name of the Faculty of Gilmanton Theological Seminary, yet the labor of preparing them devolved, principally, on the present Editor, on whom, it has been thought best, that the pecuniary and editorial responsibilities should wholly rest. It will, therefore, go forth only in his name. The other Gentlemen, with whom he has been associated, will still afford the assistance they may be able to render.

In the second volume, we propose to devote more space than we did in the first volume, to the statistics of Ministers and churches, the officers of Courts, Attorneys, Physicians, and Graduates of Dartmouth College, and to statistics generally. We have now on hand abundance of materials of this nature. The periodical will be peculiarly a New Hampshire work, and a store-house of facts of an authentic character, carefully and properly arranged. We commend it to the public for their patronage, and especially to the Great Head of the church for his blessing.

Gilmanton, June, 1846.