work, is in itself an adequate proof of the melancholy state of religious literature at that period. Assailed on all hands by infidelity, intolerance, superstition, and ignorance, it stood its ground nobly; the gates of hell could not prevail against it, for the simple but sufficient reason that it was founded on the rock of gospel truth. So limited even amongst the well-informed was the knowledge of the Scriptures, that many expressions copied from them were written down as indications of a low and vulgar mind. When Rowland Hill published his sermon, preached at the opening of Surrey Chapel, in 1783, it was described by the reviewer as "the first-born child of absurdity;" and it was stated that only a depraved mind could give currency to the sentiment, that the imagination of man's heart was only evil, and that continually! 'This strange ignorance of the Scriptures," says his biographer, Mr. Jones, "will remind the reader of the remark made by a learned barrister, who complained of the bad taste of the Evangelicals in comparing man's own righteousness to filthy rags." Individuals were publicly hooted at and pelted on their way to hear the gospel in those few and far-between places of worship where Christ was evidently set forth; whilst in the vast majority of churches there was no recognition of His merits or mediation.

In detailing the progress of Christ's kingdom on earth, we too often estimate the character of its measures by a standard of our own, forgetting that it is by weak things, and things that are despised, that God is often pleased to work. We have no wish to look upon the Youths' Magazine in any other light than this; but if by its publication, either directly or indirectly, Christ has been preached, we therein rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. As an auxiliary to the various religious societies of the day, we believe, at least, it has been useful. The London and other Missionary Societies, the British and Foreign Bible and School Societies, the Religious Tract Society, and the Sunday School Union, have all been made partakers of its liberality, and at a time, too, when it might with truth be said, Bis dat qui cito dat—he gives twice, who gives quickly. The first year's expenditure of the Bible Society was only £619. 10s. 2d.; the first donation from the Youths' Magazine fund was £50, or nearly one-twelfth part of that expenditure! Would that, now its income is increased to

£112,527. 15s. 1d., our own liberality might be proportionably augmented by the multiplication of our purchasers two hundred-fold!

The Youths' Magazine, as already mentioned, dates its commencement from the very year in which this majestic institution became fully organized. At the same period, too, the pioneers of that noble army of missionaries in India, now so numerous, were contending for a footing in that country, against spiritual wickednesses in high places, and the cold contumely and foul rites of an idolatrous priesthood. Then, more than 200 females were immolated annually on the funeral pile of their husbands, within a circuit of thirty miles from Calcutta. China was as yet without a protestant missionary; and Africa, a few years only in advance, looked on in stupid wonder, while, unaided and alone, the great Dr. Vanderkemp was preparing the way for future laborers in that vineyard; and among them, for the self-denying, devoted, and highly useful individual under whose judicious. superintendence the early numbers of the Youths' Magazine were brought before the public—the late Rev. John Campbell, of Kingsland.

But the great object of this Magazine has not changed with changing circumstances. From the first, it has aimed to preach and teach Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; and its conductors have always contended for the "one faith" of his glorious gospel, endeavoring, however, so far as mere externals are concerned, and with a due regard to the character of the times, to meet the current feeling of the day. On reverting to the earlier volumes of the work, the reader cannot but be struck with the oneness of doctrine pervading the whole series, whilst he is not unmindful of those minor differences which have become necessary to adapt it to the more fastidious readers of our own time; for, independently of other improvements, it now contains nearly thrice its original quantity of matter, and is got up with a care and nicety equalled by few periodicals of the day. But on this subject we would rather let others speak: we give therefore the testimony of a valued friend not officially connected with us, the Rev. R. H. Shepherd of Pimlico.

"The Youths' Magazine," he writes, "will have completed forty years in September, 1845. How well I remember its

auspicious commencement. I was then but in middle age, and now am old; and in these forty years its pages have often pleased, instructed, and comforted me, These forty volumes, in delightful succession, have ever been favorites with my dear children; and now they delight my grandchildren, who look for the Youths' Magazine on the first of each month as that which is sure to yield a rich mental treat. I esteem my forty volumes a choice treasure; and treasury of knowledge and scriptural truth. My own poor offerings have been made to its pages for more than thirty years.”

Such was the origin, and such has been the progress of this unpretending periodical. Since its commencement, at a moderate average, three millions of magazines, each containing thirtysix pages of instructive matter, have been put into circulation. And, setting facts aside, is it within the bounds of probability, that out of this one hundred and eight millions of pages, but a few paragraphs have proved of saving benefit? We take no credit to ourselves in supposing that our labors have been thus blessed : the power and majesty of truth-and truth has ever been our aim-will work, and none can hinder. "Amid the multitudes of the human race," observes our kind friend, Mrs. Sherwood, "we, as individuals, are of less account than a single seed in a heaped-up measure, whose presence amid the mass adds no perceivable weight, and whose removal is not observed; and yet, when by the hand of the cultivator that single grain is thrown into the earth; when it is watered by the kindly rain, and refreshed by the breezes of heaven, does it not strike root downwards and spring forth upwards? Does it not break out into buds and blossoms, bearing fruit according to its kind, and often administering, not only to the delight and protection of many sentient beings, but contributing all that is needful to their existence and well-doing? Yet, hath this little seed no merit in itself, it only acts in subservience to the will of its creator. Such at best are we, as the contributors to this little Magazine. With us, as with those who are gone, our respective talents are only such as our Creator has bestowed upon us; and as far as they may have procured honor and approbation for us in this life, that honor and that approbation are as perishable as the wreaths and the garlands which adorned the

bright summers of the years that are passed. But if there remain in the flowers which we have scattered over the pages of our little work, a scent, as of perfume bestowed from on high, then, indeed, the dews of heaven and the gales of paradise, will not have been shed upon us in vain."

Let us therefore take courage, whilst we thank God that by His help we continue to this day witnessing none other things than those of His Holy Volume; sinking all minor distinctions, advocating no peculiar views of doctrine, contending for no party or denomination, but speaking the united voice of a Committee, each holding different views of church government and discipline, but "all holding the Head."

THE PARSON'S CHOICE MEMORIES.

CHAP. IX. THE INFIDEL.

WHEN the death of a person of consequence occurs in the morning or prime of life, it always excites a serious feeling in the neighbourhood, even amongst the most thoughtless.

We had all of us been informed of the demise, the day before, of Mr. Raymond, whose very strange and insolent letter had been communicated to us by our friend, at our meeting in the month of May; and our minds were in consequence, all full of the subject, when we assembled in September, at the house of the clergyman of an adjoining parish; a married man, and like our poorer brethren in general, blessed with many flourishing olive branches.

"We shall not see Mr. here to-day," said one of our number, alluding to the rector of the parish in which Mr. Raymond had resided; "he will probably be too uneasy to like to make his appearance amongst us; he might fear that we should ask some questions which it might be painful for him to answer."

This remark led us to enlarge much on that most awful of all events, the death of one who has lived in open enmity with his God; of a blasphemer, born and residing in an enlightened and christian country; of an educated man, who has only used his talents the more skilfully to perplex those with whom he has associated.

As usual, the younger men expressed themselves with the least

moderation, and so long as they used general terms, received no check from their elders, but no sooner did the conversation become personal as it regarded the lately departed, than one of the seniors remarked, that they were going farther than, as christians, they were entitled to do.

"Certain it is," he said, that we only have access to Christ by faith, but faith is the gift of God; and who shall say when, or at what hour, or in what manner, it may please God to bestow that gift? Therefore, though speaking generally, we may say that no man, as long as he remains in infidelity, can be in a state of safety, and has nothing else to look forward to but those fiery judgments which are spoken of in Scripture, it is impossible to decide on the case of any particular individual.”

This gentle reproof was scarcely uttered, when our hitherto absent rector suddenly walked in, his countenance beaming with smiles, and his first salutation being, 'Good news! my brethren. Thanks be to God who always causeth us to triumph in our precious Saviour! Peace and good will! Fresh tokens of love from the celestial city!"

"From you?" said one of us enquiringly,

surely not from you; the last man from whom we could have expected such language?"

"When does redeeming love mete even to the believer, a measure only according to his best hopes?" replied our friend. “Who, whilst in the flesh, is able to expect the hundredth part of the good which is bestowed upon him even on this side of the grave? Woe, woe! indeed, would be to the human race, were the mercies of redeeming grace measurable, even by our highest expectations! But I have a rich treat for you all."

Accordingly, as soon as we had taken our customary refreshment, our friend began thus to deal it out to us :-" Following," he said, "the wise counsel which you gave me, when we met in my house, I took no manner of notice of poor Mr. Raymond's letter,* nor did he follow it up with a second; though I cannot say how continually I felt his influence from that time, in every little plan which I formed for the benefit of the parish, and especially for the instruction of children. “In the mean time, he came no more to church, though his

* See page 201.