THE BAPTIST MAGAZINE FOR 1833. THE PROFITS ARISING FROM THE SALE OF THIS WORK ARE GIVEN VOL. XXV. (VOL. VII. THIRD series.) SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE.-Eph iv. 15. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY GEORGE WIGHTMAN, 24, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1833. PREFACE. THE Editors of the Baptist Magazine, in closing the labours of another year, are desirous of expressing their gratitude to the Father of all mercies for the increased circulation which their work has obtained. The union formed at the close of last year between the Baptist Magazine and the New Baptist Miscellany has been productive of some, if not of all, the advantages which were anticipated from it. A considerably extended sale has been realized, and the harmony and Christian affection of the denomination have been promoted. Encouraged by these tokens of success, the Editors are desirous of effecting all such improvements in the literary character of the work as are within their power; and though they would scrupulously abstain from giving pledges which may not be redeemed, they venture to intimate that the future character of the work will be in advance of the past. It is their purpose to give themselves diligently to its preparation, and to solicit more extensively, on its behalf, the assistance of the intelligent and better informed portion of their body. They cannot but deeply regret that a work, capable of being rendered so eminently useful to the Baptist denomination, should have its efficiency in any degree impaired by that literary assistance being withheld, which is so absolutely necessary to its permanent welfare. They wish it to be the representative of the body rather than of any portion of it,the organ of the whole rather than of the few,-a periodical which the poor may understand, and which the intelligent must respect; which shall command the confidence of Baptists, while it breathes the spirit of unfeigned love to all the members of Christ's spiritual family. They purpose keeping distinctly in view the class of society to which the majority of their readers belong, Were they to attempt to invest their work with a high literary character, they would render it unsuitable to its purpose, and would in consequence counteract their own design. But they imagine that correctness of sentiment, simplicity of style, comprehensiveness of view, and vigour of intellect, may be rendered as intelligible to the poor as they are attractive to the better informed. But in order that these qualities should be exhibited in their pages, it is necessary that they receive extensive assistance from their friends. For this assistance they earnestly plead. To the intelligent and reading portion of their denomination they would say, "Make the Baptist Magazine your own, the representative of your mind, the mirror in which you may discern the form and features of your character. If it be not what you wish, afford us help to make it so. Suggest the alterations which you think requisite; and, as we have no private purpose to answer by our labours, we will readily adopt whatever appears suited to improve the work." By an arrangement already formed, the Editors hope to effect a considerable improvement in the Review department of their work. It will be their object to comprise their notices of minor publications within narrower limits, in order to afford space for a more extended examination of other works. But they would rather their readers should be apprised of this and of other points of projected improvement by their future performances than by their present promises. They would merely add an earnest request to their friends, and to the ministers of the denomination more especially, to attempt an extension of the sale of the work. The funds which its present sale supplies are far from being adequate to the claims which are made upon them. The widows and fatherless children of our departed brethren look to it for bread, but the portion which it gives is scanty in the extreme. |