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THE RELIEF OF THE WIDOWS OF GOSPEL MINISTERS OF DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS.

TRUSTEES AND STATED CONTRIBUTORS:

Rev. T. Adkins, Southampton.

W. L. Alexander, D.D., Edinburgh.

J. Alexander, Norwich.

J. Bennett, D.D., London.

T. Binney, London.

J. Bulmer, Bristol.

H. F. Burder, D.D., Hackney.

J. Burder, M.A., Bristol.

J. Clayton, A.M., Worthing.

G. Clayton, Walworth.

T. Craig, Bocking.

S. Curwen, Reading.
T. East, Birmingham.
R. Elliott, Devizes.

W. Ellis, Hoddesdon.

R. Fletcher, Manchester.

J. J. Freeman, London.

J. Gilbert, Nottingham.

R. Halley, D.D., Manchester.

J. N. Goulty, Brighton.

J. Harris, D.D., Cheshunt College.

E. Henderson, D.D., Highbury.

J. Hunt, Brixton.

J. A. James, Birmingham.

W. Jay, Bath.

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VOL. XXVI.-NEW SERIES.

LONDON:

PUBLISHED BY WARD AND CO.

PATERNOSTER-ROW.

PREFACE.

EDITORS of Magazines, unless egotistically tending, dislike exceedingly to write their annual Preface, just because it compels them to speak of their own imperfect labours. And yet something answering to a Preface is necessary, according to present usage, to complete the periodical series for the year. Always reluctant, as a matter both of taste and moral feeling, to talk of ourselves, we intend that, for 1818, others shall talk for us. We love our Old Magazine so well, that we should be prepared to make any sacrifice for its prosperity which conscience did not forbid; but we have lived long enough to learn that self-commendation can only produce effect upon minds of an inferior mould, and that nothing can or ought to be relied on for the prosperity of a Religious Periodical of large circulation, but the sterling worth of the contributions which enrich and adorn its pages. We can only ask of the discerning public that they will do us justice; and, if they approve our labours, we confidently 100k to them for that measure of support to which they may deem us fairly entitled. In promoting the circulation of the Evangelical Magazine, they will at least have this consolation, that they are essentially contributing to sooth the unutterable anguish of widowed grief; and to comfort the sorrowful hearts of ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY of the bereaved Companions of faithful and devoted Pastors of the Flock of Christ.

We are thankful, amidst the daily announcements of something new from the Periodical Press, to find that the Evangelical Magazine is not forgotten,—that it has not lost its firm hold of the public mind,-that its pages are read and valued,-and that, in many respectable quarters, there is an earnest effort to increase its sale, not more on account of its benevolent object, than for the religious benefit it is fitted to confer on the Christian community at large.

The following Testimonies, received during the past year, will speak for themselves. They are all absolutely voluntary, unasked for, and without so much as a hint thrown out, on the part of the Editor, to procure them.

The last Letter but one written, by the honoured and deceased Principal of one of our Colleges, contained the following paragraph:-"I have no misgiving as to the growing merits of the Evangelical Magazine, which I sincerely regard as an unspeakable blessing, both in sentiment and spirit, to our churches; my only hesitation in contributing to its pages so frequently is, lest my style of writing should be less adapted to them than that of other men whose aid you can readily command."

"I have to thank you, dear Brother," wrote one last spring, whom all admired and loved, "for your perhaps over-partial critique on my 'Hora et Vindiciæ Sabbaticæ.' You have always done me justice; but whoever had to complain of petty or unjust treatment from you? I look upon your review department as a credit to your theological trust-worthiness and critical skill. We always know where to find the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine. He is no uncertain oracle-no weathercock-divine. In truth, Brother, you are doing a work for which posterity will bless you. Never again appeal to the public on the ground of charity. Place the work on its own proper merits. They will sustain it; or shame be upon our churches?"

A most venerable minister, whose favourable opinion we greatly value, thus expresses himself:-"I cannot forbear conveying to you the strong impression I feel

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