FROM

"THE BIBLE, I SAY THE BIBLE, ONLY, IS THE RELIGION OF PROTESTANTS."--CHILLINGWORTH.
VOL. I.	PITTSBURGH, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1844.	NO. 1.

      We have our first number a short time in advance of the completion of our arrangements, that our friends and the public may have before them a specimen of the paper, which we propose to publish. We will not issue the second number until the first Wednesday of November, after which time the paper will be published regularly on Wednesday of every successive week. We avail ourselves of this interval between the publication of the first and second number to finish our printing arrangements; and to obtain returns of subscribers in the hands of agents, that our readers may be furnished with the paper from the commencement of the volume.

      We send this first number of our paper to each of the former subscribers to the "Carthage Evangelist," as this is a substitute for that publication. We earnestly request all who shall not wish to become subscribers, to return this number forthwith, by mail, directed to us, as we shall forward the paper regularly to all who fail to do so. Those subscribers to the "Carthage Evangelist," who have paid in advance will be supplied with this paper, and charged the additional price, unless they order otherwise by returning the paper as directed above.

      Agents are particularly requested to forward without delay, the lists of subscribers they have obtained, and also, all moneys in their hands. It is unnecessary for us to say how indispensable are both these items to the success of our enterprise. Any of our friends who are disposed to extend the circulation of our paper, may become agents, and obtain a paper gratis, on the terms stated in the first page:--let all our well-wishers do this:--let every subscriber show the paper to his friends and neighbors, and give them an opportunity to subscribe. To enable us to furnish such an expensive paper at so low a price, a large number of subscribers is required. We have resolved, however great the cost, to issue a paper of the first order, both as respects matter and execution worthy of the disciples of our Lord to whom it is especially dedicated, and of the sacred objects to which it is devoted,--the diffusion of useful knowledge, and the advocacy of primitive Christianity,--relying upon the taste and liberality of the discerning for its support.

      The present is a crisis of hope and fear. Men are not satisfied with the ordinary life. Their eyes are on the future. They demand extra excitement, and keep solemn vigils with reference to unknown events looked, if not longed for, with marked impatience. They exclaim what next? Our brethren are among them; and are imbued with the inquietude and inquisitiveness of the age. They know that reading is the food of the mind, and they crave it. They seek to have at regular intervals a supply of religious information with the current political news of our own and foreign nations. We offer them the "PROTESTANT UNIONIST."

      After an absence of many years we have in the course of divine providence returned to Pittsburgh. This is a great emporium and center of trade and manufactures, and a point from which may be distributed with as much facility as any other city in the west, every thing in literature and religion which it is befitting our brethren to understand.

      These facts of time, place and other circumstances concur with our design, as indicated in the Protestant Unionist.

      Myself and colleagues have only to request all our brethren, our acquaintances, and particularly the subscribers of the Evangelist, to favor and further its interest. Will you give us your personal support. We have given our youth and manhood to the cause. We desire for Christ's sake, and your sake, to devote it to our ago, also. Go on then, my brethren, and procure us subscribers, and we will by the help of our Lord be up to our duty.

SEN. ED.      

["Our Paper." The Protestant Unionist, 1 (September 25, 1844): 2.]

      Walter Scott's "Our Paper" was first published in The Protestant Unionist, Vol. 1, No. 1, September 25, 1844. The electronic version of the editorial notes has been produced from microfilm of the newspaper.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
373 Wilson Street
Derry, PA 15627-9770
e_stefanik@email.msn.com

Created 27 January 2002.