THE CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE, AND Friend of the People. Every grace brings somewhat considerable. Love brings a flaming heart; repentance brings THIS PUBLICATION IS DESIGNED TO BE THE FORERUNNER OF PROFITS DEVOTED TO AGED MINISTERS. VOLUME IX. LONDON: JOHN SNOW, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1851. IN presenting to our readers Volume IX. of the CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE, we are led, as usual, to cast our thoughts backwards on the year which has now closed, and which supplies much that is entitled to the consideration of Christian men. That period has been marked by results of a serious character, both at home and abroad-here by pestilence, and there by war. The former has, to a considerable extent, ravaged the metropolis; but its havoc has been very limited in the provinces. Upon the whole, the mysterious dispensation has been attended with much mercy. During neither of the former visitations were the cases so widely spread, although in many places it has just appeared as if to warn the inhabitants, and then made its exit. The rod has been shaken rather than applied. The latter has been attended with the destruction of a considerable amount of precious life by the sword, and much more by the cholera. We notice this matter mainly as touching Society at home in all its springs; nothing can escape its influence. By injuriously affecting trade and commerce in all parts, and seriously influencing general taxation, it is most sensibly operating on the condition of the Working Classes, the strength and pillar of the State. The result of these things on domestic comfort, education, and religion, is, and will prove increasingly disastrous. At the present time, notwithstanding the bounty of Providence in a goodly harvest, and the diminished pressure of population from Emigration, there is still no small amount of distress amongst large classes of the people. Nothing is wanted but the addition of a severe Winter, combined with reverses in the East, to bring on national inquietude. Altogether, the circumstances of the country are such as to call forth, on every hand, and with the utmost fervour, the 'prayer which has power with God." The comfort of the Christian patriot is, that the numbers of the faithful in these lands are so great, that nothing is wanted but their united supplication to prosper the Church, support the State, avert calamity, and bring peace to a troubled world. 66 There is reason to believe that the state of religion at home has not deteriorated in the course of the year, although the bulk of the churches of all communities are still crying out of their "leanness." The condition of the various denominations, however, is marked by tranquillity; and their zeal on behalf of the divers Institutions severally connected with them, for the spread of the Gospel, does not appear to have been at all slackened. The work of Popular Education continues to occupy public attention; and, in a great measure, discussion has given place to practical operation. By all accounts, the state of the various Colleges is considerably improved the tone of the Reports is hopeful-the number of Students is, in most cases, augmented. There is, however, still, on every ground, the utmost need for increased prayer that "the Lord of the harvest may send forth labourers." The work of Chapel Building has been going steadily on. A number of important Edifices have been commenced or completed; and operations are advancing on a still increased scale. Great things are to be hoped for from the English Congregational Chapel Building Society. There is quiet in the field of British Missions; but while much good is being done, there is great need for a vast augmentation both of Funds and of Agents. The Colonial Missionary Society is proceeding very hopefully; and the aspect of the Colonies, particularly of Australia, is very cheering. The churches there, in point of liberality, present an example to the whole Christian world. In the field of Foreign Missions, there is peace, and a great work is proceeding with but little noise; no event having anywhere arisen to excite public attention. Madagascar, we regret to say, is still closed against the return of the Missionaries; but there is ground to hope that the day is dawning, when the light of the Gospel will be suffered once more to shine on that unhappy land. China is still the sphere of military commotion. The Insurgents have not yet succeeded to overthrow the Tartar Dynasty; but they are everywhere making good their stand, and advancing upon the Imperial Covernment. They still hold generally to their religious views, but it is to be lamented that they seem deteriorating rather than improving. Enthusiasm and superstition, and notions full, not merely of error but of impiety, appear to be on the increase. So much is that the case, that it behoves the Church of God to rejoice with trembling, and on the largest possible scale to reinforce the Missions in that country. Returning to our dear native land, and the churches with which it is our privilege to be associated, and whom it is our honour to serve,—we may be allowed to say, that no pains have been spared to make this publication an instrument of good to them. The examination of the volume which we now complete will show that an attempt has been made to give every man his " portion of meat in due season." From month to month we have endeavoured to set before the children that which is calculated to promote their welfare; young people, of both sexes, have been regularly provided for; while the adult members of churches have had devoted to them by much the larger portion of each successive Number. Prose, poetry, Christian doctrine and Christian biography, facts, incidents, anecdotes, have all been put in requisition to diffuse knowledge and vigorate piety. In this endeavour we have, we think, been, in some degree, successful. We thank our friends, all and sundry, for their good offices during the last twelve months; not doubting that the day which will declare all things, will testify that the seed here sown has been productive of fruit unto eternal life. While we thank them for the past, we rely on them for the future; at the same time renewing to them, and our readers, our promise of increased devotion to the interests of this our cherished publication. November 10th, 1854. J. C. |