THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN MAGAZINE. VOLUME IV. CA-BOD IBLIO EDINBURGH: WILLIAM OLIPHANT AND SONS. LONDON: HOULSTON AND STONEMAN. GLASGOW: DAVID ROBERTSON. MDCCCL. PREFACE. In the observations which, according to precedent and propriety, we must here offer in the form of Preface, we have little more to do than record the satisfaction we feel in reviewing our relation to this Journal during the past twelve months. We begin with the expression of gratitude-always a pleas- ́ ing and healthy emotion; and this is due, in the first instance, to the friends who have furnished the contents of the volume now completed. How amply and efficiently our desires for the usefulness of the Magazine have been seconded by the contributions of ministers and other friends of the United Presbyterian Church, we appeal for proof, and we appeal confidently, to our pages from month to month. To these, the main staff of our support, we offer cordial thanks, not concealing that our gratitude is closely associated with " a lively sense of future favours." We learn from our publishers, and have pleasure in stating the fact to Contributors, as something which they may deem more satisfactory than any thanks of ours, that through their valued help, the United Presbyterian Magazine continues to maintain its position as, in point of circulation, the first of its class in Scotland. We are not insensible that, for this distinction we are indebted in a considerable measure to the favour and partiality of many of our Readers,ministers and others,-who seek to promote the circulation of the Magazine as a means of sustaining and extending public interest in the affairs of the religious body which it aims to represent. To such supporters, also, we offer our warm acknowledgments, and crave of them a continuance of their friendly aid. From our increasing correspondence, during the last few months, we believe that the disposition to strengthen our hands in the good work allotted to us, is not falling off in the quarters where we are most solicitous of its being sustained. And though, as heretofore, we are not inclined to indulge in large prefatory promises,-a kind of article which readers |