whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear. A Divine assurance accompanies the command, that the word "shall not return void;" it will, without fail, accomplish the purpose of its Almighty Author. But means are connected with ends; faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the proclamation of the Gospel. That men may believe the Gospel, they must either hear it, or read it; in either case it may become the power of God unto salvation. It is, therefore, a matter of the highest moment to bring the whole human race under the influence of the spoken, or the written word. Where this condition is fulfilled, saving results, in various measures, regulated by the pleasure and purpose of God, never fail to follow. It, therefore, behoves the Editor to desire for the Magazine the largest possible number of readers. Were he to be satisfied with the regular and careful preparation of the successive Numbers, and the approval of the gentlemen with whom he co-operates, regardless of spiritual effects, he would be culpable before God, and stand condemned by his own conscience! When he sees vehicles of poison, blinding the mind, and corrupting the heart, in such favour with the millions as to demand weekly issues of 500,000 copies, he stands amazed, and trembles for the rising generation! Two things, then, are wanted. First to fill the blanks which from death and other causes have occurred in the list of subscribers, and to make the largest possible inroad on the thoughtless and ignorant masses who people the land. In this great work, the Editor himself can do but little; he must, therefore, mainly depend on the benevolent and zealous agency of the readers of the Magazine, with the Ministers, Deacons, and members of the Churches. As to plans, he has set them forth till he is weary; he must, therefore, refer his friends for these to former volumes. Once more, then, the Editor commits the whole matter to his friends, to whom he is already so deeply indebted for their generous co-operation. For their good offices in the past he is profoundly grateful, and he fully relies on their accustomed and indispensable help for the coming year, desiring, as the best return he can make, for them and theirs, grace, mercy, and peace, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. EDITOR. The Youth's Department, and Lessons for the young. 21 The Dying Sailor and the Bible... 23 24 Scope of Miracles. 26 What constitutes Self-Improve- Notes on a Sunday School............ 105 Biblical Catechism, &c.................. 106 An Intelligent Elephant My Turn ......................... Miracle of Honesty Do we seek the Salvation of our nearest Relatives ?... PAGE 140 140 |
