PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM LISTER,

AT THE CONFERENCE OFFICES,

SUTTON STREET, COMMERCIAL ROAD, ST. GEORGE'S-IN-THE-EAST.

PREFACE.

THIS periodical is now entering on the forty-ninth year of its existence, and has been under the management of our venerated sire and father, Mr. H. Bourne; and subsequently Messrs. John Fletcher, John Petty, William Harland, and William Antliff, brethren beloved in the ranks of Primitive Methodism, and whose names will pass on with honourable mention long after they themselves have gone from the Militant Church to their place in the skies. Though the Magazine has been edited by five or six different persons, the great doctrines and principles which distinguished it in its start, are yet advocated in its columns. Its theological trumpet gives no uncertain sound, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to day, and for ever, is one of its mottoes.

Religious and secular periodicals have in our day increased far beyond all the calculations of our forefathers, but notwithstanding this fact our large Magazine holds on its way, we hope with undiminished usefulness and approval. By the kind efforts of our ministers, and official and private members, the sales of all our publications have exceeded our most sanguine expectations. May we ask a continuance of these favours; especially so when it is remembered that this Magazine exists to subserve no private ends-neither emolument nor reputation. It was established, and is now carried on to promote pure and undefiled religion, to bless the fatherless and widows in their affliction. Primarily we base our claims for support on the character and tendency of the book itself, but it has a further claim, inasmuch as the profits arising from its sale are devoted to benevolent and Christian objects. And the same may be said of the " Messenger," the "Juvenile," and the

"Child's Friend."

We would ask our readers to exercise a little consideration and forbearance. One class has said that the Magazine is not up to the mark, not erudite enough, too many memoirs, chapel openings and anniversaries; while a second class affirms that it is too learned, and that the chapter on nature and art, the review department, and the summary, have little or no charms for plain readers, but the memoirs and obituaries are read with avidity. The Editor is wishful to give a portion of meat to all. We respectfully submit that the biographical department may be read with great advantage by all. The beautiful memorials must make the moral heart better, while the connexional intelligence particularly if we had a little more of the revivalistic element in it-would be a sort of dispatch from the seat of war, indicating the progress of the grand army

The Editor has a conviction that in these days of religious doubt and rebuke, our magazines may be made useful in advocating the right. Sensible of many defects, as in all human productions, he hopes and prays that availing himself of his growing experience, the co-operation and friendly suggestions of his friends, his work may be brought up to an average ideal.