THIS publication is intended to be, as its name imports, a
Collection of Essays and Tracts of permanent value, which shall
relate, first and principally, to the literature of the Bible, and
to subjects connected with this literature. A less prominent, but
no less important object of the work, is the conservation of simi-
lar essays in the departments of Sacred Rhetoric, and of Doctrinal
and Historical Theology; more particularly the latter, as having
been hitherto less cultivated in our country than any other.
It is a part of the plan, that a portion of each number shall
consist of one or more original articles, comprising essays on
biblical and other theological topics; as well as views of the state
of theological education and literature in other countries. The
rest of the work is to be made up of such selections from the
vast range of essays,-historical, philological, hermeneutical, geo-
graphical etc.-existing in the theological literature of England
and the various countries of the European continent, as shall
seem most worthy of being presented to the American student,
and best adapted to aid his progress, and promote among us the
cause of biblical learning and of pure religion. These will be
translated where necessary; and will every where be accommo-
dated to the American reader, by the addition of such notes and
explanations as may seem to be requisite. To every article the
name of the author or translator will be affixed.
At the close of each number there will be given a list of any
new and valuable publications in our own or in foreign countries;
and the more important works, so far as practicable, will be
particularly pointed out.