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THE

BAPTIST MAGAZINE

FOR

1838.

THE PROFITS ARISING FROM THE SALE OF THIS WORK ARE GIVEN TO THE WIDOWS

OF BAPTIST MINISTERS, AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CONTRIBUTORS.

VOLUME XXX.

(SERIES IV. VOL. I.)

"Speaking the truth in love." Eph. iv. 15.

LONDON:

PUBLISHED BY GEORGE WIGHTMAN,

24, PATERNOSTER ROW.

1838.

PREFACE.

THE Editor of this volume esteemed it one of the highest honours which could have been conferred upon him when the Proprietors of The Baptist Magazine requested him to undertake the superintendence of a new series of that work, confiding it exclusively to his care. Knowing that however managed, it would necessarily exercise considerable influence, believing that if well conducted and extensively read, it would be a powerful instrument of good to the churches, promoting their purity, their efficiency, and their spiritual peace, he felt very sensibly the importance of the undertaking, and his consequent responsibility, both to the respected gentlemen who had selected him to carry into effect their desire for its improvement, and especially to that glorious Being whose temple he would have such opportunities to defile or to cleanse, to deface or to adorn. With diffidence and anxiety he accepted the proposal, but with an humble expectation of help from God and men, and hoping that, during his noviciate at least, allowance would be made for the defects and errors which his brethren might observe,

Having been enabled to complete the volume, he now presents his grateful acknowledgments to all who have assisted him in any way during its progress. From some gentlemen who are personally unknown to him, as well as from others whose friendship he has long enjoyed, he has received valuable contributions. The candour which he hoped for has, he believes, been exercised. He has no reason to suppose that the Proprietors have withdrawn their confidence, and a gently increasing sale indicates that the successive numbers have obtained, in some degree, the approbation of the public. He is quite sensible of imperfections which greater skill might have escaped, and which, though he does not expect ever to produce any thing that will be faultless, it will be his aim to avoid in future. No exertion shall be wanting on his part to make the Baptist Magazine as superior to other Periodicals, as the principles of the Baptist churches are superior to those of all other Christian communities. He trusts that his readers have perceived that his desire is to cherish the religion of the heart, to soften asperities, to unite, as far as can be done without the forfeiture of principle, the various sections of the church, to promulgate correct views of the kingdom of Christ, to diffuse information on subjects in which active Christians of our denomination are interested, and to stimulate to exertion in the service of that gracious Friend, who has purchased us from slavery, that we might be his willing labourers, and "partakers of the glory that shall be revealed."

These objects, the Editor believes his brethren in the ministry also have at heart; and believing this, he solicits their cordial and steady co-operation. Without them he is powerless. It is their sanction which must give currency to the work among those who naturally look to them for guidance. It is by their help that successive numbers must be rendered interesting and

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