LORDSHIP THE BISHOP OF SOUTHWARK. IMPRIMATUR. ROBERTUS, C.SS.R., Die 22 Decembris, 1884. EPISCOPUS SOUTHWARCENSIS. "We cordially bless the New Series of TABLE OF CONTENTS. R EADERS of the new series of the Messenger of the Sacred Heart will soon recognize that the little magazine is but part of a machine. It is the organ, the means of propagation, of a great work. They will not therefore be surprised if they find that a somewhat unusual method of publication is employed, and one more suited to its price. A direct issue by post from the Press will supply the members of the Apostleship, and all who subscribe; and the magazine will depend for the increase of its circulation on the zeal of the promoters of the work. Many who are interested in the poor will be glad to use the Messenger for the purpose of distribution. Others of our promoters, again, who live among the poor, and have zeal for the propagation of the work, can do very great service for the Sacred Heart of our Lord by establishing depots for the Messenger. Thus, supposing 18 subscribers unite to receive their copies in one parcel, it will cost 18s., a year post free, if the subscriptions are sent in advance, and so each subscriber will receive their Messenger at the price of one penny. It has been suggested, however, that there is nothing to prevent those who prefer it from receiving our magazine in the usual way. Those, therefore, who wish to obtain it through their booksellers, will be able to do so at the price of two pence the copy. Trade orders will equally be supplied by parcel post only. Manresa Press, Roehampton, London, S. W. Jan. 1, 1885. B OPENING WORDS. MESSENGER is one who bears tidings, good or evil or indifferent, from one person to another. Every man of sense, who is going to send a messenger upon a matter of importance, will sit down first and consider the message, the messenger, Is there a sufficient and the person to whom it is sent. reason for sending it at all? Is it properly worded? Is the messenger who carries it an intelligent and trustworthy person? How is it likely to be received, and what effect will it produce? Now, in this year 1885 of the Christian era, and when the nineteenth century has only fifteen more years to run, we put our little Messenger into a spruce new coat, and we send him forth again upon his errand, with orders to travel very cheaply. He has a long way before him, until he reaches his distant goal; but he will go out, on his mission, scattering good news at every step, as the sower in the parable cast the good seed. He will not have fulfilled his mission till he has knocked at many a door in North and South America, steamed through the West Indian Islands, found himself at the Cape of Good Hope, invaded the great peninsula of Hindostan, and spread his tidings through such parts of the still larger continent of Australia as are owned by the white man. A long travel and a wide spread, for a little pennyworth of a few pages! Yet it is not exaggerating thus to speak of what lies before our small serial, nor of the success we hope for him. And that for two reasons. |