ABSTRACT
The success of periodicals sponsored by religious organizations demonstrated to commercial publishers that a market was ready for exploitation. Only rhetorically might Protestantism be considered an unalloyed good; in practice, denominational adherence influenced discussion of the role of religion in the life of the nation. The idea of Protestantism as a national religion led to a firm belief in British providentialism. Denominational allegiance was more than the public expression of private faith. A sincere belief that Britain's success was due to Protestantism led the faithful to enthusiastically embrace missionary efforts, at home and abroad, that would bring the same benefits to others. The British Critic from 1838 was the organ of the Oxford movement, which was opposed by even the moderately anti-Catholic periodicals. Throughout this period, religious publishing, especially of magazines and journals, was a growth industry. British civilization, with its foundation in Protestant religion, was to be the model for the rest of the world.
