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REV. J. E. N. MOLESWORTH, D. D. Vicar of Rochdale;

AND THE

REV. W. N. MOLESWORTH,
Incumbent of St. Andrews, Ancoats, Manchester.

Fine Sense, and Exalted Sense, are not half so useful as
COMMON SENSE.-Dean Swift.

Correspondents are requested to address their communications (prepaid) to the Rev. W. N. Molesworth, 2, Ardwick-Green, Manchester.

PRICE TWO-PENCE.

LONDON:

MESSRS. RIVINGTONS:

ROCHDALE:

T. HOLDEN; S. ASHWORTH.

Sold by all Booksellers.

BY J. E. N. MOLESWORTH, D. D.

THE DOMESTIC CHAPLAIN,
OR SERMONS ON FAMILY DUTIES.
2 Vols.

VINDICATION OF THE BURIAL SERVICE, THE CHURCH AND THE GRAVE, A Sermon Preached on the death of James Royds, Esq.

REMARKS ON CHURCH RATES,

AND THE

ROCHDALE CHURCH RATE CONTEST.

Also various other Works by the same Author.

BY THE REV. WILLIAM NASSAU MOLESWORTH.

THE STRONG MAN DISARMED,
A SERMON,

PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF THE CHURCHWARDENS AND
CONGREGATION, BEFORE WHOM IT WAS PREACHED.

SOLD BY

MESSRS. RIVINGTONS, LONDON;

AND ALL BOOKSELLERS.

INTRODUCTION.

It is expected that, in the first number of a periodical work, an account should be given of the plan, and that professions of zeal and diffidence should be laid on thickly, or neatly, according to the Editor's taste. But we do not mean to do anything of the kind. For we think these statements are generally very useless or very dull; and moreover we will not tie ourselves down to any plan. We take the title "COMMON SENSE," because it leaves us open to vary our plan; to treat of secular, as well as religious, matters; to assume, as we think fit, a grave or a sportive tone; to remain on the defensive, or to carry the war into the enemy's country, and in a spirit according to the mode of warfare used against the Church.

Our belief is, that a great deal of the hostility and clamour against both Church and State springs, not from any rooted disaffection to either, but from the people being grossly deceived, both in facts, and also in the meaning of words. Our remedy for this is an appeal to the "COMMON SENSE" of the People; and a supply of statements and explanations, of the soundness of which they can (when not excited and prejudiced by noisy brawlers) themselves judge by the exercise of "COMMON SENSE." And under "COMMON SENSE," be it remembered, we always include "COMMON HONESTY,"

We know very well, that among those poor men, who follow a party, and are made the tools, and too often the victims, of the vain or wicked leaders of that party; we know that among them there are vast numbers, who, while they abuse the rulers of both Church and State, are honest and well meaning men, and who, unless deceived, would be very sorry to have injured either Church or State. They are perhaps suffering under those evils which will unavoidably occur in all nations, and especially in the complicated interests of a vast commerce. Under the impatience of evil, they listen greedily to Quacks, who have ignorance or impudence enough to assert that they can offer a certain cure for all evils; and that every body, who sees through the cheat, is an enemy to the poor. They are determined to believe this; and only time and truth can deliver them from their delusion. Our Magazine will hasten this result. We address ourselves to think ing people of all parties. We address ourselves to

COMMON SENSE!

COMMON SENSE, &c.

CHURCH MATTERS.

Under this head we shall not lose sight of religious instruction properly so called, but at the same time, we shall not confine ourselves to this. We shall touch upon all those movements, which are made instrumental to create prejudice against the Church, and thereby harden the hearts of the people against the religious instruction which the Church is admirably fitted, divinely authorized, and most desirous, to impart to all.

We shall moreover give a general history of the Church-notices of the prayer book-religious education-Sunday Schools, and other matters connected with faith, piety, and order. Anecdotes and narratives will be interspersed-And, though we do not absolutely exclude tales of fiction from our work, yet we shall certainly use them very sparingly. Ours will be facts occurring within our knowledge, or that of our correspondents, and tales taken from history.

"COMMON SENSE" POLITICS.

We say in our introduction that we leave ourselves open to "treat of secular, as well as religious, matters." But then it will be asked; do you intend to meddle with Politics? Yes. Be not startled, serious Reader. Hear first what our politics are, and how far we mean to meddle with them.

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