"The New Zealand Evangelist."

New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 242, 23 September 1848, Page 2

"The New Zealand Evangelist ."

We have received copies of the three first numbers of this religious peuodical. iLs aim, as its prospectus (which will be found below) explains, is a most praiseworthy one, being "to seek the unity of the spiiit in the bond of peace, and to advocate the doctrines recognised by the Evangelical Alliance." Its piofessions are modest — its price moderate — and its typography very creditable to the office of the Wellington Independent, whence it issues. Magazines, whether clerical or laical, are a great colonial desideratum, and we wish all manner of success to this pioneer in our literary wilderness. Another magazine is we are told, about to issue from the Wellington press.

PROSPECTUS. The press is universally admitted to be one of the most powerful moral agencies of the present day. The periodical prebs, especially, in almost endless forms, is cmployid to advance every cuuse. True religion has been much profited by its aid. The lemarknble development of life and activity in the Church of Christ in recent times, has been caused in a great measure by the frequency and regularity, with which the truths and claims of the gospel have been presented before the public, by means of the periodical pvebh. If religious | periodicals are found of such value in old and settled countries—they are still more needed in new and scarcely organized colonies. That something of this kind is needed in New Zealaud, all who feel interested in the progress of the Gospel, will readily admit. Books are scarce; the population is scattered; some have few opportunities of attending upon public worship ; others have little time to devote to reading ; and many, exposed to the secularizing influences of colonial lite, are losing a taste and relish for the things of God. In these circumstances a small publication that shall at regular and stated times, find its way into the remotest cottages of the settlement, presenting, in a concise form, important tiuths, striking facts, and heart stirring events, connected with the Gospel, will it is hoped operate favoui ably in promoting the interests of ti ue religion and pure, high-toned morality. The community is too small to support denominational periodicals ; but the different Evangelical bodies are sufficiently able to support a periodical to advocate the in eat principles they hold m common. This Magazine has been commenced with this object. It is to advocate the doctrines recognised by the Evangelic.il Alliance. The editorial department will be under the management of the Ministers connected with the Evangelical Alliance in Wellington, assisted by brethern iv other places. The Magazine will contain articles, original and selected, in exposition or illustration of important truths ; the Litest and most interesting religious intelligence, general and local; reviews and notices of books ; I'iogiaphies of eminent individuals ; anecdotes, poctiy, &c , &c. It will he the object of the conductois to keep the j Magazine free from every thing sectarian, but to give i full prominence and call earnest attention to the irreat | P,, 4.1w < l*f>ifin^i I'AiwtiliF H/^n/Wym f n/ 1 Milt* l^Ot^rtl It f Illlif €1 tIHI'P.

ciated by all Evangelical denominations. They vyilj. seek " ihe unity of the spirit in the bond of peace' The glory of God, and the peace anil edification of the Church will be their leading aim. Conscious to some extent of the importance and responsibility of the duties they arc about to undertake ; of the nfccssi y of divine grace to assist them, and the divine blessing to prosper their eflorts, they solicit an interest in the prayers of all who fear God, for success in their unde taking. They have no pecuniary object in \ iew the Magazine is published at the lowest possible price to cover expenses, Us size is small anil it<» pretensions humble. They wish to excite no expectation'? tha' they cannot satisfy, Dor make pioinise* tfoey cannot fulfil lliey promise nothing but di igence ; but they resolve to spare no labour in making this pntw Mention worthy of support, in rendering it a faithful organ for diil'nsing Evangelical prnciples, for warning niminst deadly errors and prevalent immoralities, jfoi recording religions intelligence, for advocating scriptulal education, and I r providing interesting and in.-* sti uctive read »q to the young.