PREFACE.

In closing the labours of the year, it has been our custom to glance throughout the earth that we might observe how the cause of God was prospering. In doing so now there is much that presents itself of a mingled character. With respect

to our own country this is peculiarly the case, as we have attempted to show in the opening article of the present Number. To support our views there, we have presented on the wrapper the Statistics of the Census, which ought to excite the utmost solicitude among the Churches of Christ. It will there be seen, that the present church and chapel accommodation is not, as a whole, nearly half occupied ; so that instead of the four millions and a half, on the Census day, double that number might have been assembled, and the respective edifices not filled. The demand of the hour, therefore, is not so much for enlarged accommodation as for an increased spirit of hearing; and to effect that ought to constitute the great business of the Churches.

In the British Isles, the most noticeable circumstance is the general absence of everything in the shape of revival during the year. In no part of the land has there been, so far as we know, any special manifestation. Where such awakenings are genuine, they are directly from Heaven, the fruit of a sovereign purpose. Man has no more control over them than over the showers which water earth. Much prayer may have preceded them, or there may have been no prayer whatever to that effect. True and powerful revivals have existed under both these conditions. According to our reading of the Scriptures, however, prayer in such a case will be without ceasing, and the revival will be continuous.

Canada during the year, has been an object of considerable interest, partly from its vicinity to the great republic now wrapped in the flames of civil war, and partly from the steps which are being taken to form the British Settlements into a nation, an event which, if achieved, cannot fail of the most beneficial results to all concerned. The removal of the Independent College also from Toronto to Montreal is a matter of no inconsiderable moment to the Congregational Body.

The

The great Civil War of the American Republic still continues to rage, waxing even more fierce and terrible as it proceeds. The loss of life and the waste of substance are such as have no parallel in the history of the world. But the appalling havoc is not without redeeming considerations. It is a remarkable fact, that even now, religious operations of every sort, both home and foreign, are supported as liberally as ever. Whatever else may come out of the revolting conflict, Slavery is unquestionably doomed. Already, through strange and unlooked for occurrences, two out of the four millions of slaves have actually acquired their freedom, and in due course the remaining two millions will follow them. The great blot of the once glorious Republic will thus be for ever wiped away. time was when, with truth, it was reproachfully proclaimed from ten thousand housetops that the "American Churches were the great bulwarks of American slavery." Such, however, is no longer the case; the mass of the Churches throughout the whole of the Federal States are most intensely opposed to Slavery. Nothing can exceed their execration of it as a disgrace to their country, in itself a crime, and the source of all the calamities which now devastate the land. To the eye of religious contemplation, the one great European object of attraction continues to be Italy, and there the grand event of the year is the Convention between the Emperor Napoleon and King Victor Emmanuel, which secures the removal of the seat of the Italian Government from Turin to Florence on the one hand, and the withdrawal of the French troops from Rome on the other. This may be viewed as a great step in the fulfilment of Divine prophecy. The Pope and his subjects will then be left to settle matters as they best can without the interference of any foreign power whatever. The issue of this it is not difficult to foresee; there can be but one result. The Chair of the "Man of Sin" will not be worth six months' purchase. The Pope's territory is already reduced to a hand's breadth, but even that will soon cease to be visible. The temporal power once gone, it will be a sign that the spiritual power is drawing to a close.

The movements of Divine Providence in Italy during the last four years have been wonderful. Things have been effected in the space of months which the wisest man did not dare to look for till the close of centuries.

Nothing of much importance, religiously viewed, has taken place on the Continent in the course of the year. Poland is crushed, and Denmark is mutilated, but neither of these events materially affects religion. Protestantism in France has been showing signs of life, and the Conference which was lately held in the South displayed at once sound doctrine, and an excellent spirit.

In Africa things proceed hopefully. Since the introduction of the railway, material matters have shewn signs of rapid improvement. Emigration advances, and there is no doubt that the stream will speedily become wider and deeper. South Africa is a fine country, and destined to be an epitome of the English nation. The work of missions goes steadily forward; the only disastrous event of the year is the failure of the expedition of Dr. Livingstone.

The cause of religion in Madagascar is in a satisfactory position; events, however, have occurred of a nature to excite uneasiness, but there is no reason to fear the suspension of evangelical labours.

In the South Seas all is quiet, and the work of missions goes forward peacefully and prosperously.

As to the Colonies, effective ministers are still required for the chief seats of population. The Rev. John Graham, late of Craven Chapel, London, has had a joyful reception in Sydney, where, from his gifts and graces, he cannot fail to prove a blessing to all classes. May his incumbency be long, happy, and prosperous!

From India no tidings have arrived but such as are good. The great want is more Missionaries: hundreds, thousands might find a harvest ready for the sickle. Under the new Governor-General everything both spiritual and temporal promises to go well.

There has been a good deal of disagreeable work in the "Flowery Land." Both the English and the French have interfered to a very questionable extent in the affairs of the empire. They have meddled with things with which they had no business whatever, and which in their hands, may in some quarters tend to impede the work of the Missionaries. The Taepings are reported to have sustained a reverse which threatened to extinguish them; but this is not the first time such intelligence has reached us and in the end proved to be false. From the Rebellion for many a day, there was reason to hope the happiest results, seeing it was intensely hostile to idolatry. Of late years, however, a spirit of fanaticism has sprung up, which goes far to cloud the prospect.

From all this it clearly appears that there is a mighty work to be done upon the earth, which will require loving hearts, strong hands, and many of them.

66

In issuing this, the twenty-first volume of the Christian Witness," and the nineteenth of the " Penny Magazine," it is consolatory to reflect, that they have been permitted through so long a period, to contribute their humble mite to the great aggregate of instrumentalities. Of the mass of monthly serials which have appeared in the course of these twenty-one years, how few survive! "The Christian Witness" and the "Penny Magazine," however, still exist, despite the most intense competition, in such strength that had they attained to nothing more even at the outset, they would have been deemed, and justly_deemed, a great success. The total of the joint issues considerably exceeds Fourteen Millions! This is a fact without a parallel in the history of such publications. From this immense circulation, notwithstanding their extraordinary cheapness, the pecuniary results are all but incredible. The clear profits on the Magazines and interest on stock arising therefrom are about £16,000.

I beg once more to tender most cordial thanks to all and sundry my most esteemed friends and coadjutors,-whether as Contributors, or Correspondents,-in carrying on the Magazines, during the year which is now closed. To me they have been a most valuable help, and a special comfort. It is my desire and prayer to God that every one of them, and all of the Subscribers may share most abundantly in the blessings of the everlasting covenant. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen!" JOHN CAMPBELL.

November 22nd, 1864.