by ingenuous attractions, the attention of the young and gay to the most important study which can occupy their minds. To open the gates, as it were, through these means, to the more sublime and almost boundless fields of religious inquiry and controversial investigation, which expand abroad. Actuated by these intentions, we hope our labour will not be unprofitable. If any expression should have escaped the pen of the author not in perfect accordance with the rigid principles of theology, he would be the first to retract and correct it. His desire is, that what he purposed to himself may be obtained: that the Doctrines of the Church, when viewed by Protestants in their true character, may command their admiration, and that some, at least, who peruse these letters, may be directed to the Sanctuary of TRUTH.

PREFACE.

THE subjects treated in the following pages will be found highly worthy of a diligent perusal by the candid and inquiring: for, there could not be presented to the public a volume containing more important matter, Without dropping a single expression-certainly without intending to drop a single expression-that might reflect on the sincerity and convictions of others, the Author of this volume stands forth in vindication of the most ancient, and much-injured denomination of Christians. His weapons are not abuse, or unfair representation, or acrimony: they are a candid exposition of certain doctrines which are entirely misunderstood, and an appeal in their behalf, not to the passions, or the prejudices of the heart, but to the sacred tribunal of the Scriptures and Tradition.

The Author's object is to ascertain, whether there are any solid grounds on which the tenets of Catho

licity may repose: whether there is any warrant for them in the Bible: whether they were known to the primitive Christians: whether many of them are not admitted by other denominations. He wishes to convince the dispassionate inquirer, that a strict and practical member of the Roman Catholic Church may be a genuine friend of Republican Institutions, and must be true to his country and his God. His motto is GLORY TO GOD-PEACE TO MEN!

The effect which he would hope to produce, by publishing these letters, is to do away prejudice to impart information to those who are desirous of acquiring it, concerning our religious tenets: and he conjures the American public to remember, that, among the innumerable writers in favour of our religion, were a Fenelon, a Kempis and other saintly men, whose piety all sects admire, and whose amiable virtues never appeared more beautifully, than when they vindicated the cause of Truth.

Nothing, the public may feel assured, could have induced the Author to publish these letters, but the desire of rectifying certain erroneous ideas which are circu