Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

ITS STATE AND PROSPECTS.

108

A MONTHLY JOURNAL ESTABLISHED AND CONDUCTED BY MEMBERS
OF THE BRITISH ORGANIZATION

[ocr errors]

IN CONNEXION WITH

THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.

WHERETO WE HAVE ALREADY ATTAINED, LET US WALK BY THE SAME RULE, LET US MIND THE SAME THING.'
“UBI AGNOVIMUS CHRISTUM, IBI AGNOVIMUS ET ECCLESIAM.”—AUGUSTINE.

."-PHIL. III. 16.

VOL. XIII.

LONDON:

PUBLISHED AT THE OFFICE OF THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE,
7, ADAM STREET, STRAND;

AND AT THE PRINTING OFFICE, No. 121, FLEET STREET.
EDINBURGH: JOHNSTONE AND HUNTER. DUBLIN: CURRY AND CO.

AND ALL BOOKSELLERS.

MDCCCLIX,

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

PREFACE.

THE present is a period when all things seem to be in a course of rapid change and development; and it is no easy task which our journalists have to fulfil, to adapt themselves to the new requirements and ever-widening demands of the public mind. When we entered upon our labours, thirteen years ago, we entered upon a comparatively untrodden path. Serials there were in great numbers, the organs of our several religious denominations, advocating each the principles of its own body, and devoted to the support of its separate interests; but, as far as we know, there was not one which stood upon an undenominational basis, and aimed to weave into one texture the interests and sympathies of the whole Church. On the religious affairs of the Continental Protestants these journals were almost totally silent; and as the Churches of Britain were isolated from cach other, so they all stood in isolation from the other Reformed Churches of Europe. In these circumstances, the work which we prescribed to ourselves was alike simple and novel. We unfurled a banner bearing in radiant letters, the inscription, "Faith, Hope, Charity, these three; but the greatest of these is Charity;" and under the influence of this sentiment we concerned ourselves, and endeavoured to awaken a similar concern in our readers, with the universal religious interests of evangelical Christianity. In the meantime, other journals have either wholly or in part entered upon a sphere of labour, which at first we occupied alone. We look upon them with no jealousy, but rather heartily wish them success, since they are co-operating with us to the same blessed end. And, indeed, the very fact that they should thus have followed upon our "line of things," we cannot regard otherwise than with complacency, for is it not an evidence of the growth of the catholic principle which we advocate, and of that desire for intercommunication between Christians of all Churches and all lands which we aim at once to stimulate and to gratify?

This altered state of things, combined with other considerations, has led us to the determination of attempting some improvements in our journal, and of gathering to it some new literary elements, both British and Foreign, which, while preserving its character, may still further extend its usefulness. This intended change has indeed been foreshadowed in our last three numbers, which have been enlarged both in the range of subjects discussed and in the quantity of letterpress.

We propose, on the 1st of January next, to commence a new series. No change will take place in the name of our journal, or in any of its essential features, principles, or aims. It will still be conducted by members of the Evangelical Alliance, and report its transactions. It will still draw to a focus the most trustworthy and important intelligence from all parts of Christendom. It will still be in cordial sympathy with all Evangelical missionary operations, and in brotherly love with all Evangelical missionaries and pastors in all parts of the world. But its correspondence will be enlarged, its contributors increased, and its structure in some respects altered: it will comprehend a larger amount of Home information, and it will discuss with more freedom the leading questions of the day, both in the domain of theology and of practical religious life. For these puposes, it will be considerably enlarged, and corresponding improvements will

« ForrigeFortsæt »