Ir may be expected, that, at the commencement of another year, we should make some general remarks in reference to the manner in which the Memorial will be conducted.

Our object is a noble one, to join our efforts with the thousand active energies employed to renovate and save a ruined world— to accelerate the movement of that moral engine which is destined to extend its cheering influences to every land.

It is often by the feeblest instrumentalities that great events occur. It is the numerous little rills which form the rapid river, and, finally, the vast, expanded deep. It is the small, accumulated streams of sanctified benevolence, which cheer the Christian on his pilgrimage below, and swell, at last, that ocean of eternal bliss around the throne in heaven.

By the persevering efforts of a few disciples at Jerusalem, the new religion triumphed, passing over, irresistibly, the ancient world, and bearing rapidly away, idolatry and every opposition to its course. By the untiring zeal of one lascivious, and at first, obscure Arabian, the Mohammedan delusion swayed its sceptre over millions of the human race. By the feeble but unyielding energy of Luther, Calvin, and Melancthon, the clouds of moral darkness which had long enveloped piety and learning, disappeared, and on the loftiest towers of despotism waved the banners of the cross. The efforts of Voltaire, Rousseau, Corneille, and their associates, soon converted France to infidelity, and overwhelmed the land with all the multiplied calamities resulting from her bloody revolution.

The instrumentality employed by these unholy men, was the promulgation of their principles. They were determined that their

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writings should be read. "I must be read," said Voltaire, "whether I am believed or not, I must be read."

So, instrumentally, the world must be converted, by extending far and wide the truths of our religion, till all the darkest corners of the earth shall be enlightened from on high. While the living preacher should not falter, the press must do its work. The Sacred Scriptures, tracts, and periodicals, must go upon the breeze to every clime and every dwelling of mankind.

To advance the cause of the Redeemer, and especially the pros perity of our own denomination, will be our object in conducting the Memorial.

The question has been asked, whether we shall admit articles on controversial subjects.

We reply that we shall enter this somewhat dangerous field with caution; still we shall be willing to incur some peril if we can discover occasionally a valuable gem of truth by the way.

The controversy in the first century in reference to the way of attaining justification and salvation, called forth the masterly writings of Paul upon that subject.

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In the second century, the able defence of Christianity by Justin Martyr, Clement, and other Greek and Latin fathers, was called forth by the controversy in reference to paganism.

The Pelagian controversy, in the fifth century, threw an immense amount of light upon the question, whether man be totally depraved.

In the sixteenth century, the great controversy between Papists and Protestants, caused the strongest thrones of tyranny to tremble, and broke the spell which seemed to bind the world in superstition, under the lordly and unyielding oppression of the Romish hierarchy.

In all of these controversies, unholy feelings were often manifested; but still much good was accomplished. Much more good, however, would undoubtedly have been done, if all had exhibited towards each other the spirit of the Savior.

We do not intend to admit any angry debate into our columns, but shall be happy to discuss, in a Christian manner, subjects of general interest, which need elucidation, and especially those which relate to our own denomination.

It may be objected that we thus raise the ensign of party, and

that we are sectarian. We would remark, that we respect all denominations of real Christians, who advocate those doctrines which they conscientiously believe to be scriptural. Such is not sectarianism. He only is a sectarian, who values his party more than truth, and who endeavors to promote that party, though the cause of Christ may suffer, and prefers that good may not be done unless his friends can have the praise.

It is undoubtedly the duty of every Christian to unite with that denomination whose principles and forms correspond most nearly, in his estimation, with the teachings of the sacred volume. It is then his duty to labor for the advancement of that denomination. And this is identical with laboring for the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom.

As Baptists, we believe that our tenets are more nearly in accordance with divine teaching than those of any other body of Christians, and we feel that we can best promote the cause of Christ by advocating those tenets. While we take such a course, far be it from us to suppose that we are not liable to imbibe erroneous views, in some respects. Probably, when Christians, from various denominations, shall have arrived in heaven, where all will be of one mind and heart, it will be found that all sects have held some erroneous tenets.

We love all Christians, and discover many precious truths in their creed. We should be glad if all could be united, but we do not expect to see such a result in this world.

The existence of different sects must, no doubt, be considered as an evil; but, like other evils, it is overruled for good. It may be a useful check to greater evils, which might result from a stagnant and corrupting mass. The reason that so much union exists among Christians is, that they hold so many truths in common. They would be, really, no more united, should they, with their present views, be constituted into one sect. They would probably be more repellant in proportion to their proximity. True and permanent union can only be promoted by union of sentiment. To sacrifice principle in order to unite with our brethren of other sects, would be in vain. No sacrifice to expediency, no half-way covenants, no compromise, will produce permanent union. Its basis must be truth alone.

Then we must, in the spirit of our Savior, advocate what we

conscientiously believe to be the truth, and continue to do so until it shall be universally embraced.

The fact that the Christian world is divided into only two classes, Baptists and Pædobaptists, places our own denomination in the attitude of being opposed to all others, and the combined resistance of those, who unite for no other purpose, falls upon us. Our voice alone is uttered against the perversion of a Christian ordinance, and is consequently very unpleasant, and frequently causes hard things to be said about us. Still we must speak out what we believe to be the truth of God's word. We are far behind other denominations in respect to systematic efforts to extend our principles. We shall hold ourselves in readiness to defend the doctrines of our creed against all mistake and misrepresentation, against wrong interpretation and false reason

ing.

We regard the grand controversy as really settled. It is admitted by the ablest of our opponents, that there is no plain precept or example in the Bible which teaches infant baptism. No respectable scholar dares to deny that the leading and most obvious meaning of the words, denoting baptism, in the New Testament, is immersion, and that sprinkling and pouring were not practised until the third century. Pædobaptists reason from a mystical fitness of things, and lovely affections, that infants should be baptized-that the mode of the ordinance is a matter of indifference, if the spirit be observed. Thus it is virtually granted that the plain letter of the Scriptures does not directly sanction anything as baptism but immersion, nor represent any persons as fit subjects but believers. We appeal to the law and the testimony. The Bible settles the question as plainly as language can do it.

The Memorial is designed to exert an influence upon our denomination throughout the land.

As we number more than any other sect, we should present an example of union, piety, and intelligence, worthy of imitation. Our sentiments and practices ought to be the same at the North, South, East, and West.

It is scarcely to be expected, however, that all the members of a denomination, so widely separated from each other, should entirely coincide in all of their opinions and measures. It will be one part of our design to discuss any such points of difference, and

make the Memorial serve as a bond of union between brethren, as well as a repository of all which is dear to us as Baptists.

We have no expectation or wish to supersede other periodicals of our own denomination. All, with which we are acquainted, are exerting a good influence, and we bid them God speed. There is probably room for them all. We believe that greater and more

successful efforts are made to extend truth than would be made if we had a less number of periodicals.

There is some difference of opinion among our brethren, in reference to the character which the Memorial should sustain. Shall it be, to some extent, a statistical magazine, containing, in addition to the usual variety of a family magazine, tables and various facts, which will be useful for future reference? Some call upon us to extend the department of Monthly Record, while others wish it to be entirely omitted. Should we reject this department, we are confident that we should not give satisfaction to our patrons generally, while some few would be better pleased. Should we extend it more than we have done, during a few months past, there would be but little room for variety in the other departments. If we try to make a general family magazine, and, at the same time, a statistical work, as we have endeavored to do, we can only partially succeed in either, for want of room, and our funds will not allow us to insert additional pages. Yet, on the whole, we think it best to go on essentially as heretofore, but endeavor to improve each department as much as possible. Some of our brethren will say, that it is too statistical and dry, while others will say, give us more statistics, for reference. But they must remember the difficulties under which we labor. We cannot suit all, and we must be allowed to use our own judgment, and pursue that course, which, on the whole, we think will accomplish most good.

THE PAST.

We have now performed the duties of an editor a little more than one year, and feel by this short experience, that we are better prepared to give satisfaction to our readers, than when we first commenced our labors.

We have been encouraged in our efforts by the universally favorable voice of the press, and the numerous and highly com