the first editorial of the paper outlined its purpose as advocating "the grand doctrines of the protestant reformation, those doctrines that are held in common by all denominations of evangelical protestants". the editors considered the papal system "a monstrous perversion of christianity" and an obstacle to "the political advancement and general welfare of any country", vowing to oppose it at all turns. the newspaper also advocated "the exclusive appropriation of protestant funds to the encouragement and promotion of protestant immigration".