THE Title we have this year adopted for "OUR CHILDREN'S MAGAZINE," we hope is as pleas We made ing to you as it is gratifying to us. '' the alteration because, having a growing affection for you, and an increasing interest in your welfare, we thought it well to change the name, and send our Monthly" to you in terms of endearment, that the affection might become mutual-that you may be induced to love us as much as we love you. You have no doubt noticed that we have given many more pictures in this volume than in the last, and in other respects made improvements. We have done so not only to please and interest you, but that your knowledge and usefulness may be increased year by year. And now that we have done what we could to do you good, we ask you to try and do good to others, by constantly lending this book to your companions, till it is read by all or fairly "To do good and to communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased," Hebrews xiii. 16. worn out. 1, Exeter Hall, Strand. Cripple Healed, the, with illustration Crocodile, the, with illustration Cost of Fights among Children, with illustration 177 113 140 61 110 4.95 No. 1. 136, No. 11. 157 Kings of England-Stephen 80, Henry 11. 93, THIS month is called January. Its name is taken from one of the heathen gods, who is called Janus. It is an image having two faces -one looking before, and the other behind. JANUARY, 1852. A The god is supposed by those poor heathens to know the past, and to see the future; but you, dear children, are better taught. You know, as the Psalmist says, in Psa. cxv. 4-7, such idols are "the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: they have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: they have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat." But, dear reader, you are taught to worship the true and living God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. This great and good Being is a Spirit. He is everywhere present, and knows all things. It is to this great God we shall have to give an account of all we do, think, and say; and as God has given to us reflecting or thinking powers, we should do well if we were to use them, in reviewing the past, and considering the future. Another year has now passed away, full of mercies and blessings-many have been the delightful opportunities of recreation, and instruction we have enjoyed-we have escaped many dangers-we have been preserved from diseases and death, by which many, whom we knew, have been carried away. But oh! how ungrateful have we been! How unmindful of God's law! What a many things we have done that were wrong, as well as omitted to do many things, which it was our duty to have done! As we look back on the past, let us feel grateful to God for his goodness to us-and let us feel sorry |