As the intention has been publicly announced to print and circulate, in other forms than in the pages of the Biblical Repertory, the Examination, by Professor Stuart, of the article on the A. E. Society contained in the July number of that work, it becomes necessary that some means should be adopted to give the Reply to that Examination a more extended circulation. The subject discussed in these articles is so important that there would be an evident injustice in having one side of the question alone presented to the public. If Professor Stuart's Examination was to be confined to the Repertory, the reply would require no wider sphere of operation; but as the Examination is to be printed in other forms, the Reply must be printed in other forms also. There is no disposition to present an unfair or unsatisfactory view of this subject. Instead therefore of circulating only the articles against the A. E. Society, the friends of the views advocated in those articles, have deemed it most honourable to give in one view every thing that has yet been written on the subject. First, the Review of the A. E. Society, which appeared in the July number of this year; secondly, Professor Stuart's Examination of that Review; and thirdly, the Reply of the Editors to that Examination. The public may thus read and ponder the arguments for and against the system pursued by the A. E. Society, and judge for themselves. Fully persuaded that this is a subject on which it is time for the churches to think and act, we feel it to be a duty to do all in our power to bring it before them in a way which shall secure their serious and prayerful attention. There is something more at stake here than party or sectarian interests, and we appeal therefore to far higher and purer principles. If there were nothing in the organization and principles of the A. E. Society but what seemed to militate against such partial interests, it would be a matter of comparatively small moment; but if the apprehensions 'entertained by many liberal men of all parties be well founded, the best interests of the church are involved in this discussion. No apology therefore need be given, under these circumstances, for bringing the arguments on both sides, in this form, before the Christian public. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SOCIETY. In the present aspect of the moral and religious world, there is something very peculiar, distinguishing it from any preceding period. Our world, in all ages, has presented a scene of wide spreading moral desolation, sufficient to call forth the sympathies and exertions of the Christian and Philanthropist. But obstacles, in the way of moral reformation, arising from the prejudices and political institutions of mankind, have existed, appalling to human reason and almost insuperable to the strongest faith in the divine promises. Since the days of the apostles, exertions, corresponding to the magnitude and importance of the object, have seldom been made by individuals, and never by the great body of professed Christians. And not unfrequently those whose hearts were engaged in the cause of God and man, have expended their strength and zeal in the use of means not sanctioned by the great head of the Church. When not groaning under the yoke of oppression, or bleeding beneath the sword of persecution, they have sought the patronage of the civil power, and endeavoured, by carnal weapons, to secure the victory, promised to be achieved only by the sword of the Spirit. The history of Christendom confirms the truth, that God will honour no means in extending and B |