PREFACE. The Preface to a new book-the production of a single author--may be necessary to explain why the work was written, and what are the purposes it is intended to subserve. But the annual Preface to an old Magazine, which has had numerous contributors, is in danger of sinking into a literary formality, or of swelling into a mere editorial puff. In our case authorship and editorship have been closely intermingled ; and while modesty forbids the mention of our own contributions by name, gratitude demands that we cordially thank the writers who have helped us by their more substantial papers, and the correspondents who have furnished us with our monthly information. Nor would we forget our obligation to the agents who have exerted themselves to sell a publication so low in price, and affording them so little pecuniary profit. In respect to remuneration, all parties, editors, publishers, and salesmen, are nearly on an equality. Great gain, in the shape of money, is not possible to any of them. The public good of the Denomination must be our united aim. The subscribers have certainly as much for the price as is supplied by the average of denominational magazines; and while the quantity is ample, we will not be so untrue to ourselves as to admit that, in regard to its quality, they have just grounds of complaint. Still, if encouraged in our labours, we hope to provide something better in the future. W. UNDERWOOD. N.B.—The “Missionary Observer” has been conducted by the Rev. J. C. Pike, the Missionary Secretary. GENERAL CONTENTS. ... 17 No Fuel, No Fire ... ... ... ... ** *** Down among the Water Weeds ...... M: Crances of its crowne Means and 109 ... ... .. 141 172 On a Becoming Posture in Public W Memoir of Mr. J. Bailey, Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire ... ... ... ... ... ... A Biblical Paper : Miscellaneous The Sabbath School and the Church ... ... A word to Young Men on State-Churches ... The Progress of Opinion on Ecclesiastical Walter Scott and Marjorie Flemming ... ... The Kingdom of Christ, its Nature and “Why are we, as a Denomination, not 165 Prosperity and Extension of our De- nomination ... ... ... despite its manifold Discouragements... 239 263 Relation to the Irish Church ... 297 321 ... ... ... ... .. 324 331 332 334 Baptists in America PAGE. Believer ... : : .. ... ... 17, 244, 337 Christ Retrospect and Forecast .... . A Candid Examination of the Rite of Con- firmation as Practised in the English Sermon Thoughts : Analysing and Illüstra- God's Purposes and Man's Accountability ... 111 Choosing, Learning, Loving, Doubting... ... 111 Notes Critical, Explanatory, and Practical, Conversations on Church Establishments ... 141 John Wesley: or, the Theology of Conscience 175 The True Theory of the Christian Ministry 175 The Curate in the Crucible ... ... ... ... 175 George Fox, the Friends, and the Early ““ Government, Cônduct, and Example .. .. 204 A Glimpse at the Great Secret Society The 'l emperance Bible Commentary Sinful and Righteous Heresy ... Images in the Windows of Churches The Patristic Testimony against Prelacy The Writings of Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage The Fixed Character of God's Dealings in Nature and Grace, in this Life and the Life to come ... ... ... ... .. The Theology of the Commiss!on Subject of Christian Baptism ... Evening by Evening; or Readings at Even- Scenes among which we labour ..... 301 Can it be true? Life and Death . The Proceedings of the General Asse The Church in its Relation to the State The Church of Christ. What is it? Will Christ return to Reign upon the Ea 337 The Hiding Place, &c.... ... ... ... ... ... 337 My Winter Fire ... ... ... ... ... ... The Banner over me is Love... Vernal Thoughts about Giving. ... ... : 302 ate" |