PREFACE.

Most of our readers must be aware how much easier it is to write a notice, or review a book already published, than to write a preface for one which, at present, has no existence. To produce a head which shall give a fair representation of what the body will be when completed, is next to impossible, especially when the materials of which that body is to be composed, are neither created nor collected together in any tangible form, before the mind of the writer. Such are our views and feelings while pondering over a suitable preface for the present volume.

In commencing an enlarged series of the Christian Messenger and Family Magazine, we shall have in our favour the experience of the past eight years in this department of labour, which, to say the least, will be some advantage in the further prosecution of the work. During that period we have had some things to learn and others to unlearn. We hope for a still further personal improvement and practical enjoyment of all the excellencies of the Christian religion, and for their realization in the pages of our family magazine.

As to the design of this work it is now well known to our readers. Nothing more need be said on that subject, except just to remind them, that its pages are intended to enlighten the mind and to draw the affections towards the character of the one living and true God, as revealed in the Bible; at the same time to point out, in some measure, the true nature of that kingdom which is not of this world-a kingdom set up by the Son of God after his resurrection from the dead, and his ascension to the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven.

Jerusalem, and not Rome, is the place where Christianity commenced. To this spot we desire to conduct every convert, for a commencement in the faith and hope of the Gospel. Jesus is the King, and not the Pope, or any of his ten thousand pretended successors. Here every right-hearted person who desires scripturally to honour the Saviour-to enjoy a present salvation, and secure a personal interest in

all the blessings of his redemption, will be anxious to commence. Thousands have already resorted thither, and have cast off, and buried in eternal oblivion, those vain and foolish traditions received from their fathers (1 Peter i. 18), and are now redeemed, not with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Respecting the circulation of the Messenger we need say but little: very few except our own brethren will look into it; hence we proceed but slowly and secretly along. Perhaps a brighter and more prosperous day awaits us. Eight years ago there were very few, if any, in this country, who stood exactly on the ground we now occupy, but which, in our judgment, is in accordance with the Pentecostian proclamation. There must be now in the United Kingdom between two and three thousand, all advocating a return to the Bible alone. Brethren, allow me to ask, cannot we obtain for our Messenger and Family Magazine an extended circulation? Ought there not to be a demand, even amongst ourselves, of more than six hundred copies per month? It is intended to make it a book of reference and of edification, to be consulted, perhaps, as long as books are wanted. No person could publish it in its present enlarged form and limited circulation, without being prepared to make a personal sacrifice. Will the brethren, then, do their best to obtain for us, at least, a few hundreds more subscribers for the current volume?

In contemplating our present resources, we are warranted in saying, that the prospects for articles of a useful kind, and quite equal, if not superior in quality, to those inserted in our former volumes, are more abundant. We hope that every department, by the united assistance of brethren and friends, will be filled up so as to prove to the edification and general satisfaction of all our readers.

In conclusion we shall present our readers with brother Campbell's preface to his fourth volume of the Millennial Harbinger. This, in some measure, expresses our own views of matters and things as they at present exist :

"Years roll on: the pulse of time never ceases: the wheels of nature carry down all the living with a constant and rapid motion. We are born, we live, we die and are forgotten amidst the bustle of coming years. We are now the actors, the dramatis persone on the stage of time. Each one plays his part, and retires behind the curtains of death. But the sequel is on another theatre, before other spectators and auditors. The plaudits and the hissings are eternal. We play for crowns and kingdoms; for deathless fame and im

perishable treasures. A heaven is lost, or a heaven is won at the close of the last act.

"There are many subordinate parts in the great drama of human existence. There are also very conspicuous and high places; great responsibilities; immense prizes; while every one has his own destiny at stake, and all are to be rewarded according to their works.

"Such reflections crowd upon us at the commencement of a new volume, in the progress of a great revolution—a reformation-a change for the better in the ecclesiastic and moral relations and positions of society. We feel our obligations and responsibilities to be very great. The cause on hand is above all causes now before the bar of public opinion. It demands all our powers; it calls for all our resources. The question is variously propounded; but the substance is, Who shall rule in Zion? Jesus or the Pope? Christ or Antichrist? The twelve Apostles or twelve hundred Synods and Councils? The New Testament or a human Creed? The Word of the Lord or the Opinions of Men? Union or Schism? Catholicity or Sectarianism? One Lord, one faith, one baptism; or three Lords, three faiths, and three baptisms?

"We may change the terms, the propositions, the questions; but the real points in issue cannot be changed. The issue is between-whether the church began in Jerusalem or in Rome -whether the acts of the Apostles, or the acts of four or seven general Councils, shall be first, last, or midst, in deciding what the gospel is-what the gospel ministry, the gospel church, the gospel salvation, and the gospel institu

tions are.

"A hundred sects, or even two, cannot be right: all may, however, be wrong. All, indeed, are wrong, that are built on any thing but the one foundation of Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. There cannot be two houses built upon the same foundation. There is but one true, visible, real, church of Christ on earth. Houses are not branches of a house; neither are Roman, Greek, or Protestant parties branches of Christ's church. There may be partial followers of Christ in all parties; but this will not make the parties Christian churches. Republicans in England, France, and Spain, will not make those countries Republics. Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, &c. &c., have among them many good men-many who follow Christ as far as those systems will permit men to follow Christ; but none of them being Christ's church, will permit its members to follow Christ fully. A person can practise and enjoy republicanism only in a Republic. Christ's religion can only be preached and enjoyed in Christ's own church.

"Our volumes, one and all, prosecute the demolition of all sectarism; the union of all God's people, upon God's own foundation; the conversion of the world to the original and true gospel of Christ; the setting up of the ancient institutions of Christ for the reasons, purposes, and objects, assigned by the Apostles.

"The cause of education becomes a more and more interesting object in pursuance of this plan. We must begin at the nursery. We must have family, school, college, and church education, adapted to the entire physical, intellectual, moral, and religious constitution of man. Of these, the first in time, place, and importance, is the domestic and family training. We have been dreaming for ages, and are only just now awaking to the importance of education-not merely to its importance, but to the rationale—the philosophy of the thing called Education.

"To this subject, as essentially connected with the speed and progress of the current reformation, a more full and marked attention shall be paid. An uneducated person is not competent to the full display of Christian excellenceto the full manifestation of Christian character. No person is well educated-is properly taught or trained-that is not a Christian. But we cannot fashion human nature but in the soft clay of its infancy and childhood. As the twig is bent the tree's inclined.'

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"A few lessons on the training of households on the Christian nurture, will, in the form of examples, be submitted in the present volume, in the style of 'Family Conversations in the Domestic Circle.' But in this age of frailty in promises, we find it most prudent to promise little. It is, indeed, fast passing into a proverb, Blessed is he that expecteth nothing, for he shall never be disappointed;' and Happy is he who maketh no promises, for then he is not likely to be a covenant-breaker.' We shall, however, endeavour to hold on our way, and to labour honourably and assiduously in the prosecution of the great objects so long and so often overtured to our contemporaries. And may grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, be multiplied to every one who sincerely and faithfully labours with us, by word or action, in this blest cause of holy truth and of human redemption!"