THE PRESBYTERIAN REVIEW AND RELIGIOUS JOURNAL, FOR APRIL TO OCT. 1845. EARNESTLY CONTEND FOR THE FAITH WHICH WAS ONCE DELIVERED UNTO THE SAINTS.-JUDE. VOL. XVIII. EDINBURGH: WILLIAM WHYTE & CO., GEORGE STREET, BOOKSELLERS TO THE QUEEN DOWAGER. MDCCCXLV. INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. THE principles of a Journal that has existed for fifteen years do not need to be set forth anew at any great length. There are eighteen volumes of the PRESBYTERIAN REVIEW in the hands of the public. They are spread over a period unparalleled for controversy in the history of the Church,-a period which we may truly say has drawn within itself almost every controversy that has vexed or rent the Church of Christ from the beginning. Ample room and opportunity have been afforded for speaking out upon such points, so that instead of re-stating our views in full, we may content ourselves with referring to our past volumes. They contain the fullest and correctest exposition of our principles and spirit. The nineteenth volume, which now commences, will, it is hoped, be found to uphold the same principles, and to breathe the same spirit as its predecessors. While the efforts which have been made, and the new arrangements which have been entered into, will secure a large and steady amount of scholarship, ability, and learning, it is the earnest desire of the conductors of the Review, that its spiritual tone should be high, and its religious character of the most uncompromising and decided kind. A review is not simply the organ or mouthpiece of a Church. It is not merely the medium of utterance, as if its sole errand through the land were merely to let men know what we believe. It is something more than this. It is a fitting and most helpful instrument for keeping our principles in vigorous life among our |