sent out a subscription paper; but afterward, the idea that I never should be able to complete the compilation, induced me to drop it; and I was obliged to publish the work almost entirely at my own expense. The printers were in low circumstances, and required payment before I could dispose of the books. I was therefore obliged to borrow a sum of money to defray the expenses of the work, which, as it was printed on very good paper, were large, and I derived but little profit from my labor. My next publication was the third edition of my View of Religions, to which I made the addition of a hundred pages. The Rev. Mr Freeman, who continued his kind attentions, made the bargain for me with the printer, by which I was entitled to receive five hundred dollars in yearly payments, for an edition of two thousand copies. This relieved me from the embarrassments in which I was involved by printing my History of New England at my own expense. As my eyes still continued too weak to engage in any new laborious work, I determined to wait till a large part of my History of New England was sold; and then, if my life continued, to abridge it for the use of schools. In the meantime, however, I set about writing a concise View of the Christian Religion, selected from the writings of eminent laymen. I wrote with difficulty, as my eyes were still very weak; but I wished to exert myself as much as possible to be useful, and to gain a subsistence. Though attention to religious controversy had led me to feel undecided on some disputed points, of which perhaps Christians of equal piety form different opinions, my conviction of the truth of divine revelation, instead of being weakened by all my researches, was strengthened and confirmed; and I wished to make a public declaration of my sentiments on this important subject. I found it difficult to procure proper materials for the work, as I was utterly unable to purchase books. A considerable part of this compilation, as well as the additions to the third edition of my View of Religions, was written in booksellers’ shops. I went to make visits in Boston, in order to consult books in this way, which it was impossible for me to buy, or borrow. I desire, however, to recognise with gratitude the attention of my kind father, who took pains that I should have the benefit of all books which he could procure, and assisted me greatly in disposing of my works. When I had completed my compilation, I found the printers and booksellers unwilling to purchase the copy, because much had been written on the subject, and these publications were unsaleable. At length, in 1804, I agreed with a printer to execute the work, upon the small consideration of receiving only one hundred dollars in books.