PREFACE TO THE SEVENTEENTH VOLUME. WE are reminded by the present season of the rapidity with which we are borne along the pathway of life, its end is fast approaching, another portion of it will soon be traversed. In the prosecution of our duties it would be a source of pleasure and encouragement to us if we received a greater measure of support from those from whom we may naturally expect it, we refer to the Christian mothers of this land-a very little effort on their part, and this MAGAZINE may be more widely distributed, and its circulation doubled. Mothers of England! we appeal to you; will you help us in our endeavours to benefit our fellowcreatures? Do you need a stimulus to incite you? On the ground of duty we implore you-a duty which you owe to your blessed Redeemer. Remember what He has done to effect your salvation. By the love which He has manifested for you, and which should awaken corresponding affection in you towards Him, and also sympathy for the sinful and sorrowing of mankind, and which should further evince itself by your rendering assistance to remove its sins, and thereby alleviate its sorrows. Remember also the duty which you owe to your fellowbeings. Just reflect on their manifold sins! Hark at the long, loud, and piercing wail of agony which those sins produce; take only a portion of the community, that to which you belong, namely, that of mother! Think of the many thousands of such in this highly-favoured land who are living in sin, sunk in ignorance and surrounded with poverty, can you think of them without a ray of pity, when you remember the force of their example on the deathless souls committed |