BAPTIST MAGAZINE FOR 1843. THE PROFITS ARISING FROM THE SALE OF THIS WORK ARE GIVEN TO THE WIDOWS OF BAPTIST MINISTERS, AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CONTRIBUTORS. MEAA AOBK THE NEW YORK ASTOR, LENOX AND 1897. J. HADDON, PRINTER, CASTLE STREET, FINSBURY. PREFACE. THE completion of another volume demands from the editor a retrospective view of its contents; reminding him of his obligation to those who have furnished instructive and pleasing articles, and bringing to remembrance difficulties which he has had to encounter. Will it be deemed unsuitable, if he should refer to some of these difficulties on this prefatory leaf? They are not greater, it is probable, than other editors experience; but a passing notice of them may facilitate his future labours, or those of his successors, and there are many contributors who would gladly welcome any suggestions having this tendency. To correspondents in different parts of the kingdom who transmit intelligence of local occurrences, the magazine is greatly indebted; but some of these kind friends are not aware how much it would add to the value of their communications if they were made immediately after the events have taken place. Sometimes there is a delay of two, four, or six months. In other cases, articles are delayed till they are supposed to be just in time; and then they are sent, with many apologies, and earnest requests that they may appear in the ensuing number. This often happens when the magazine is at the stitcher's; but, at a period rather earlier than this, it is evident that a communication so received must be deferred, or that something else must be displaced to make room for it. Disappointments often ensue; while the editor has to regret that he is apparently, though not really, inattentive to the wishes of those who have been intending to perform acts of kindness. The earlier communications are received, the more valuable they are. Another difficulty arises from the impossibility, in many cases, of reconciling the claims of private friendship with public duty. An editor must sometimes sacrifice the interests of the public, or appear harsh and unyielding to those who solicit favours. This applies principally to the review department. The value of honesty in a review can only be estimated duly by those who are aware of the deceptiveness of titlepages, and the artifices employed by some authors and publishers to push their works into circulation. Readers who can purchase but few books, especially, are under great obligation to a fair reviewer, who gives, to the best of his power, a correct description and estimate of the publications coming before him. But let no man think that this can be done without the painful resistance of temptations. The editor claims for himself the credit of so much honesty as this :-he never allows an author to review his own book. He never inserts a review received with the work from the author or the publisher. He never allows an author to review his work by proxy: a fairer estimate and less copious praise might indeed be expected from an author of average modesty, reviewing his own performance, than from an intimate friend of the author, whom he had selected to applaud him, with or without a tacit understanding that he should perform the same kind office for him on another occasion. These are not parts of the system on which the Baptist Magazine is conducted. The reviews are all written either by the editor himself, or by gentlemen whom he has selected for the service, in whose judgment and integrity he can confide. It is only when reviewing is done fairly that it can be useful to the public; but an editor who adheres inflexibly to this course, will sometimes be deemed rigid, severe, and arbitrary. Nor is the essay department without its difficulties. Short and lively pieces would be more acceptable to the mass of readers than long disquisitions, however good; but the talent of writing short pieces for a magazine seems to be almost as rare as the talent of making short speeches on a platform. In this, however, the editor ventures to call upon his younger brethren in the ministry to try their powers: in so doing they will aid a work, of the importance of which to the interests of the denomination it is not necessary to remind them. Trusting that the reader will make allowance for these difficulties when forming his estimate of the ensuing volume, and that his own good sense will suggest to him some others, the editor will at present mention no more. Were it desirable, he could write also on the pleasures of his occupation; and then he would refer to the increase that has been made this year in the grants to widows of beloved brethren no longer on earth,-to incidents, occasionally reported to him, illustrating the usefulness of papers that have passed through his hands,—and, especially, to the hope that his efforts to keep before the churches and the younger members of Christian families the principles of that kingdom which is not of this world, may conduce to the promotion of their highest interests, and subserve the merciful purposes of Him whose approbation is the best reward. May that compassionate Redeemer, who despises not the offering of a cup of water, forgive the faults and imperfections which He has undoubtedly discerned, and condescend to acknowledge both the editor and his readers, in that day when it will be seen that acquaintance with Him is infinitely more valuable than proficiency in "the wisdom of this world, and of the princes of this world, that come to nought!" London, November 24, 1843. WILLIAM GROSER. |