THE CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE, AND Friend of the People. The value of a good book is not often appreciated. Saints are built up in their faith by good reading, and an impenitent person is never more disposed to read than when he begins to take an interest in the salvation of his soul. It is important, therefore, for every family to keep on hand a supply of useful religious books. Religious books have a great deal to do with the destiny of families. THIS PUBLICATION IS DESIGNED TO BE THE FORERUNNER OF THE PREFACE. We are once more reminded of the lapse of time, by the completion of another Volume of the present Publication. It becomes, therefore, our pleasant duty, as heretofore, to commune a little with our readers on the past, as well as to glance at the future. As we intimated at the commencement of the year, we have kept our eyes fixed on two things-the improvement of the piety of the churches, and the cultivation of a thoroughly Protestant spirit. We have, throughout, made it a study by what means these two things could be best realized; and we are encouraged to believe that we have not been altogether unsuccessful. During this period facts have not been wanting, both at home and abroad, to show that Popery has lost nothing of its spirit of ambition and of cruelty. Once and again have the British people been reminded that everywhere it is unchanged and unchangeable. The voices which have reached us from the Continent have been loud and piercing, leaving on the ear the impression that there is no safety for mankind but in the extinction of Antichrist! We are more and more brought to the conviction, that nothing is wanted but power on the part of the Popedom, at once to destroy the liberties of Europe, and enthral the whole human race. Were the other Potentates as completely under the domination of the Pope as the contemptible tyrant of Tuscany, there would be neither liberty of speech nor of action throughout Christendom. Then as to our own country: those who have heretofore indulged in unfounded hopes of an improving spirit on the part of the Popish Priesthood, from the displays of a spurious patriotism which have been, from time to time, craftily exhibited in England, have only to cross the Channel, and to observe what has been passing there in the course of the autumn, to inform themselves of the true state of the case. The visit of the Hundred Protestant Ministers,a step, whatever may be thought of its wisdom, resulting from the purest and highest motives,-whatever else it may have accomplished, has served, in a manner the most impressive, to illustrate the true character of the Irish Priesthood. Had these men the power, they have certainly the will, to sweep Protestantism from the face of the Emerald Isle. They have, for the present, apparently obtained a triumph, of which it is probable they will make the most. There is, however, reason to hope that their gain will, in the end, prove a loss. Irish property is passing into the hands of Protestant landlords; and the result will be, in a variety of ways, to work out liberty, both civil and religious. The tendency will be to break the arm of Roman power, to bring down the Missal, and to elevate the Bible. With respect to our own country, the year has been an eventful one. There has been an abundance of both bread and labour, and notwithstanding the changes which Emigration has been working in many quarters, things both religious and secular remain much the same. It strikes us that, religiously considered, the year closes in a manner more hopeful than that in which it opened. A feeling has been generally in the ascendant, that the piety of the realm requires improvement; and there has, in different places, been a strong manifestation, on the part of ministers and others, of a desire to attain to a superior degree of piety. Sound doctrine, in all our Colleges, throughout the country, still maintains its sway. There has in the main, likewise, been peace and concord in most quarters. Nothing particular has occurred to excite pain in the breasts of godly men. New edifices have been rearing in many places; and the work of evangelization, both in the great towns and in the provincial districts, has been advancing. Still, there is but too much reason to believe that, in general, the churches are far from lively, and that the work of conversion is not advancing as could be desired. Looking to the Colonies, there is much to encourage and comfort. Great numbers of godly people have gone forth, who will prove as the salt of these new lands; they will strengthen small existing churches, and lead to the formation of new ones. A considerable endeavour has also been made at home, towards supplying the Colonies with efficient pastors. These efforts have been confined to no one denomination; all seemed forward to share in the good work. In foreign countries the work of Missions is going steadily forward. If nothing particular has occurred to cheer, yet still there has been nothing remarkably discouraging. It was, indeed, hoped that Madagascar would have been opened to the return of our Missionaries; in that, however, for the present, the London Missionary Society has been disappointed. But if all that was desired and anticipated has not been obtained, there is reason to conclude that the expectation has not been disappointed. It seems probable that commerce will be speedily restored; and in due season, with commerce, the Gospel will find its appropriate place. But if there has been disappointment in regard to Madagascar, there has been a boundless and a most unlooked for opening in China,-the abode of one-third of the human race. Truly may it be said, "What hath God wrought!" Thanking all our Correspondents for their past help, and begging a continuance of it for the time to come, we wish them a good close to the present and a happy commencement of the ensuing year. Nov. 2, 1853. J. 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