Rev. T. Adkins, Southampton. W. L. Alexander, A. M., Edinburgh. J. Alexander, Norwich. J. Arundel, London. T. Beck, Deptford. J. Bennett, D.D., London. T. Binney, London. J. Bulmer, Rugely. H. F. Burder, D.D., Hackney. J. Burder, M.A., Stroud. W Chaplin, Bishopstortford. J. Clayton, A.M., London. G. Clayton, Walworth. G. Collison, Hackney. T. Craig, Bocking. S. Curwen, Reading. T. East, Birmingham. R. Elliott, Devizes. W. Ellis, Hoddesdon. J. Ely, Leeds. R. Fletcher, Manchester. J. J. Freeman, Walthamstow. J. Gilbert, Nottingham. R. Halley, D.D., Manchester. J. N. Goulty, Brighton. J. Harris, D.D., Cheshunt College. E. Henderson, D.D., London. H. Heugh, D.D., Glasgow. J. Hunt, Brixton. JA. James, Birmingham. W. Jay, Bath. J. Jefferson, Stoke Newington. T. W. Jenkyn, D.D., Coward College. Rev. R. Knill, Gloucestershire. J. Leifchild, D.D., London. J. Morison, D.D., Brompton. C. Morris, London. J. Parsons, York. J. Paterson, D.D., Edinburgh. G. Payne, LL.D., Exeter. J. Raban, Holloway. T. Raffles, D.D., LL.D., Liverpool. G. Redford, LL.D., Worcester. A. Reed, D.D., London. J. Reynolds, Romsey. W. Rooker, Tavistock. H. I. Roper, Bristol. J. Sherman, Surrey Chapel. J. Smart, M.A., Stirling. J. Smart, M.A., Leith. J. P. Smith, D. D., LL.D., F.R.S., Homerton. C. F. Steinkopff, D.D., London. W. H. Stowell, Rotherham. J. Stratten, Paddington. T. Stratten. Hull. J. Styles, D.D., Clapham. S. Thodey, Cambridge. P. Thomson, M.A., Chatham. A. Tidman, London. W. Urwick, D.D., Dublin. R. Vaughan, D.D., Lancashire College. R. Wardlaw, D.D., Glasgow. A. Wells, Clapton. M. Wilks, Paris, J. Young, A.M., London. VOL. XXI.-NEW SERIES. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY THOMAS WARD AND CO., PREFACE. Os the 1st of July, 1843, the Evangelical Magazine completed its Jubilee, or fiftieth year. How admonitory is the fact, that only one of the twelve original Trustees of the work survives to tell the tale of its early history. But they were men greatly honoured of God in their day, and prosperity has attended the labour of their hands. In their first preface, they justly observe, that "thousands read a magazine, who have neither money to purchase, nor leisure to peruse, large volumes. It is, therefore, a powerful engine in the moral world, and may, by skilful management, be directed to the accomplishment of the most salutary or destructive purposes." "Their labours," they add, "will be amply rewarded, if it please God to make them the happy instruments of counteracting the pernicious influence of erroneous doctrines,-of strengthening and establishing their fellow-christians in the belief of those truths, for the defence of which so many martyrs and confessors shed their blood,-of fortifying the rising generation against the artful attacks of atheistical philosophers upon the religion of their forefathers,—of opening a communication between godly persons in all parts of the kingdom, that they may have a common memorial for recording such observations on God's word and providence as are calculated to afford mutual pleasure and instruction,—of protecting the writings of good men from the injustice of infidel reviewers, and of exposing the fallacies and absurdities of unsound and worthless compositions." It is truly gratifying, after the lapse of fifty years, to find that these anticipations have been more than realized. Under the fostering care of Divine Providence the Evangelical Magazine has been a powerful check on error and false doctrine; it has confirmed many a wavering Christian in the love of apostolic truth; it has shielded the young from many a subtile onset of infidelity; it has been a link of blessed fellowship among good men, not in England only, but throughout the world; and it has not only defended the writings of our best authors from the unjust and scurrilous attacks of the infidel press, but it has successfully exposed the pernicious tendency of works issuing often from quarters fitted to secure for them an adventitious popularity. Though the men who conceived the plan of this periodical, and who watched over its rising interests with so much assiduity and success, have long since retired from the activities of the present life, it is confidently believed that those who have entered into their labours are animated by a portion of their spirit. They have the same attachment to the doctrines of grace, they are as willing "to spend and be spent for Christ," they pray with equal ardour, "grace be with them that love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth," and they look with corresponding sympathy upon the advancing glories of Messiah's kingdom. But they must throw themselves on the co-operation, the prayers, and the generous support of the Churches of Christ. In times like these, their task is arduous and responsible. The number of vital interests now in agitation require a watchful eye, a sound judgment, and a glowing heart. They ask for the sympathy of evangelical Christians in general, and of their brethren in the ministry in particular. The Magazine, blessed be God, prospers. Its sale increases. But the claims of the Widows of our departed brethren are not yet met. Many are looking to them whom they cannot aid. They would plead with the disciples of Christ the cause of the widow and fatherless. One simultaneous effort to increase the sale of the Magazine, in town and country, would enable the Trustees of the Magazine to meet every demand made upon them. Shall such an effort be withheld? Would it not be an appropriate celebration of the Jubilee of the Magazine to make provision for the relief of twenty or thirty more widows? Let some active person, under the sanction of the Pastor and Deacons, take this up in every congregation, and the augmented sale proposed will be secured. Wherever the |