At the close of my last Volume, I gave the Reader to understand that, in publishing the remainder of the matter intended for the work, I should, instead of confining its issue to Monthly periods, despatch it in two Half-volumes, as expeditiously as my time and means would admit. Several reasons have determined me to this line of conduct. The Testimonies of our Religious Society have been advocated in the former volumes to such an extent, that what might follow, as towards the Public, would be liable to involve much of repetition. On the other hand, the circumstances of the Society, and its position in reference to these, are of late considerably changed: and it becomes us to consider, not only how we may best avail ourselves of newly acquired advantages, but also, and especially, by what sort of conduct we ought to justify to the world the increased confidence which our Fellow-citizens, in their Civil capacity, appear to be placing in us. We are now received on our Affirmation wherever an Oath was formerly required; and the Legislature, indeed the Government, seems determined, if not to release us from the yoke of the Clergy (in compliance with our repeated request) at least to prevent future collision between our interests and theirs; and between our members, as Rate-payers, and the vestries and officers of the parishes to which they |