This miscellany was intended to furnish religious reading, discussing subjects of religion and morals, as well as literature in its religious aspects; and also to convey religious news, particularly in relation to the history of the Unitarian church in both the U.S. and Britain ... Contents included sermons, religious news, book reviews, essays, poetry, and listings of ordinations and dedications. (cf. American Periodical Series Online, 1740-1900).

"The Catalogue ... has been prepared with a view to accomplish two objects. One, to offer an inventory of all the books on the shelves of the Reference Department of the Manchester Free Library: the other, to supply ... a ready Key both to the subjects of the books, and to the names of the authors." - v. 1, the compiler to the reader.