INDEX. PAGE Acknowledgments 20, 43, 73, 206, 276 Funeral Address, A Affecting case of Conversion, &c. Appeal of the Directors.. 56 America.. ... PAGE 94 176 133 HOME MISSIONARY, A .... SI Brassington, near Workworth, Cha- .... 204 ...... Berks, Home Missionary Efforts in 244 Home Missions, by an American Home Missionary 214 9 172, 195 of Correction.. 221 Chapel, Broxwood-History of 242 170 ,261 53, 87, 113, 168, 193, 241, 263, 289 Subscriptions and Donations 17, 42, Notices of New Publications, 41, 65, 67, 98, 125, 150, 183, 205, 231, 255, 183, 205, 230, 255, 274 275 89 State of Labourers in Agricultural districts Sketch, A, by a Missionary.. 92 Sketch of a Sermon.... 110, 165, 189 33 Superstition, distressing case of 243 .... Public Meeting at Exeter Hall.... 133 THE HOME MISSIONARY MAGAZINE, JANUARY, 1845. NEW SERIES OF THE MAGAZINE.-EDITORIAL ADDRESS. We have been much pleased to receive from many quarters, expressions of good will respecting the future career of the Magazine. The promises of assistance which have been freely sent, and the large number of additional subscribers which has been announced by the agents of the society, are very encouraging circumstances. The arrangements which have been made for a wider circulation of this periodical on the Missionary stations, render it necessary to avail ourselves of the hints which have been kindly sent, respecting the articles of which it should from time to time be composed. There can be no doubt, but that the agents of the society are best acquainted with the attainments, the habits of thinking, and the kind of information most likely to interest the people among whom they labour. At the same time our friends should recollect that on different stations there are different classes of readers. This is seen in the variety of suggestions which we have received from our agents. Some would have most of the Magazine adapted for the edification and awakening of the villagers-that all its articles should be exceedingly simple-first principles enunciated in language which a little child might understand. Others would have short stories - pretty anecdotes - select poetry — pointed apothegms—a piece of patchwork skilfully arranged-the object being to catch the attention of the reader and amuse him! A ird class would be glad if we confined the Magazine to illustrations of the scriptures in the form of lectures, plans of sermons, VOL. V., N. S. B and explanations of difficult passages. A fourth class of advisers think, that if only home Missionary intelligence were given the Magazine would answer better to its name, and diffuse information more widely—not only respecting our own society, but concerning all other institutions having a similar object in view. Another class would be glad if the Sunday school teachers and children could be specially attended to, seeing so many are connected with the society. The above, however, form only a part of the varied, and, in some instances, useful hints of our friends. Now, to every one who reflects on the subject for a moment, it must be very evident that in a small publication like this it would be impracticable every month, or even very frequently, to enter only superficially on the many topics suggested by our correspondents; and yet we feel the importance and value of some of their suggestions. By degrees we hope to adopt those that are really practicable and likely to be useful to the various classes connected with our society in the great object we have in view. Of one thing we are convinced, that we must have as much variety as possible. It will be seen that we have attempted this in the present number. We think, however, that in justice to ourselves we ought to say, that it will be almost impossible to keep up sufficient variety in presenting facts and illustrations to our readers, unless the pastors, missionaries, and others, interested in the success of the gospel at home, supply these in such abundance as to allow of selection and adaptation. It is too much to expect that a gratuitous editor, pressed with numerous other engagements, can satisfactorily accomplish this work unless he has other hearts and hands to assist him. This is especially required on account of one circumstance, which is sometimes forgotten-the necessity of keeping one great object in view before the reader, in all that is published in the Magazine-that being the cause of missions at home. This is not a publication of a miscellaneous character directing attention to many subjects; but a periodical connected with a religious institution-its medium of communication with its supporters and agents, and therefore expected to advance its |