flame is extending itself throughout the United Kingdom! Of this fact, the establishment of auxiliary societies affords most decisive and satisfactory evidence. Without, however, such a medium of communication as the Magazine, this information could not have been generally communicated-this pleasure could not have been enjoyed.

In compliance with the almost universal wish of persons interested in the welfare of the Magazine, the Proprietors have resolved to prefix an Engraving to every future Number of the work: they have engaged an eminent artist, (Freeman,) who has undertaken to execute the Portraits in his best manner.

The only cause of anxiety the Proprietors feel on this subject is, lest the very heavy expense attendant on a portrait, every month, should render them unable to afford the supply which the respected widows of our ministers have been accustomed to receive. It is hoped that the Denomination will recollect, that these are, in general, poor! Some have large families, and many of them, though still connected with the congregations of which their deceased husbands were the honoured pastors, can receive little or nothing from them, as all they can raise is necessary for their present minister. It is with great pleasure that the Proprietors reflect on having distributed to this respectable and necessitous class of persons, since the commencement of January, 1813, the sum of 5751. and they are not without an expectation, that an increased sale will, after a little time, cover the increased expenditure.

The Editors affectionately renew a request, made at the end of the last year, that their brethren in the ministry would read this Preface to their congregations, during the present month: and also use their influence to introduce the Magazine to all the families with which they are connected. The addition of the Juvenile Department, it is hoped, has rendered the work more suitable and acceptable to our juvenile readers. The Editors pledge themselves to use all their exertions to maintain a respectable publication : which they trust, through a divine blessing, will still be the channel by which special benefits will be communicated to the houshold of faith.

Baptist Magazine.

JANUARY, 1816.

ON THE NEW YEAR.

NOTWITHSTANDING the tens of thousands who, during the past year, have gone into eternity, the world is still furnished with inhabitants; and the various offices which they left unoccupied, are again supplied. "One generation passeth away and another cometh;" and though in many things" their way was their folly," yet their posterity approve their sayings," and are pursuing the same course of vanity and vexation of spirit."

depravity, which is sown in the hearts of all, will produce an abundant crop of disobedience, misery, and death. During the succession of three hundred and sixty-five days, parents will take a long farewel of their affectionate children;-pastors will preach their last sermons to their afflicted flocks;-judges and senators will finally vacate their important stations;-and monarchs will for ever resign the purple, sceptre, and diadem. Respecting persons of every description, it is doubtless written in the councils of heaven, "This year thou shalt die.". We hope the year will not terminate without having witnessed events full of divine goodness and mercy towards the dwellers upon the earth. May we not expect, that the various means employed for disseminating evangelical truth, will not be altogether in vain? Will not this "handful of corn, sown upon the tops of the

The commencement of the present year will be noticed as an era of universal peace. The storm which agitated the continents of Europe, Asia, and America, is hushed to silence. The din of war is no longer heard. The sword is returned to its scabbard. The soldier resumes the employment of the husbandman. "Come, behold the works of the Lord,what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth. He break-mountains, shake like Lebaeth the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder: He burneth the chariot in the fire."

Though the fierce demon of discord and war may not be permitted, in this year, to ravage the earth; yet the seed of

VOL. VIII.

non?" and the accessions made to the church of Christ, be numerous and flourishing, "as the grass of the earth?" Is it not probable, that, in this year, there will be for many a time to be born" again? And, re

B

specting whom, parents and ministers, with adoring praise, will repeat," Even from this time it shall be said, What hath God wrought?"

ing the various concerns which relate either to the present life, or to that which is to come, the word of inspiration says, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."

Let the unconverted reader reflect, that while he is impenitent, and neglecting the "great salvation," he is without "a

Among the numerous readers of this Essay, it may be presumed, many will this year be numbered with the dead: and the tongue now employed in articulating its contents, be silent in the dust! Is the reader a youth who has attained that period of life, that he feels himself released from the re-hiding place from the wind, or straints of " tutors and a gover- covert from the tempest. He has no security that the termination of his present existence will not be the commencement of an eternal state of misery. Let him then "turn to the strong hold as a prisoner of hope;" remembering, that "now is the accepted time, that now is the day of salvation!"

"

nors:" or, who is anticipating the pleasures of connubial enjoyment? or, is he a tradesman, engaged in the hurry, or immersed in the cares of business? or a miser, who is adding house to house, or field to field? or, a thoughtless spendthrift, who, with his companions, is saying, "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die?" Such persons are, in general, unconscious of the short-" cumberer of the ground;" be ness and uncertainty of time, thankful that the Lord Jesus and are saying, "Soul, take has "let him alone another thy rest, thou hast much goods year." But it may be, probalaid up for many years!" bly, the last year his long-suf« On this side, and on that, men see their fering will thus be exercised: and the order may be given,

friends

Let the unfruitful member of a Christian church, who, in the eye of infinite wisdom, is a

Drop off, like leaves in autumn; yet" Cut it down." Every con

launch out

Into fantastic schemes, which the long livers
In the world's hale and undegenerate days

Could scarce have leisure for."

sideration of threatened wrath, and of extended mercy, should rouse to exertion in every good word and work. Let all such hear, and attend to the exhortation, "Work while it is called to-day, for the night cometh wherein no man can work."

Let it be considered, that eternal consequences depend upon the use or abuse of the time allotted to each individual! Could the writer and reader of this Essay be even assured, Let the indolent and unfaiththat they would be among the ful shepherd, who is feeding survivors of the present year, himself, but not the flock, tremstill their "time will come to ble lest, before the end of the die" and, therefore, respect-year, his "days should be num

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according to the instructions given in the scriptures.

I cannot undertake to discuss this subject in all its length and breadth. What I have to say, on this branch of your office, has been derived, chiefly, from experience and observation, and will show its relation to yourself, to your Creator, and to your fellow-worshippers.

The importance of the subject may be inferred-From the nature of your office: "We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and the ministry of the word," Acts, vi. 4.-From the consideration, that ministers are called to pray publicly, in a great variety of circumstances-From your religious character, as a dissenter. A dissenter, as such, rejecting pre

Let the humble, zealous servant of Christ, increase his exertions; and, by his study and persevering aim to exalt his king, and to increase his dominion, provoke others to activity in this holy warfare. The year may not close before HE, who has entrusted talents to his use, may return and de-scribed liturgies, should be doumand an account of their improvement. Then those servants who, through grace, have been "faithful unto death, will receive the crown of life." They shall exchange their labour for eternal rest; the company of saints upon earth, for that of the "spirits of the just made perfect" in heaven; and the afflictions of time for the glories of eternity.

IOTA.

Extract of a Letter to a young
Minister,
RESPECTING PUBLIC PRAYER.

PRAYER is an address to God, presented in the name of the Mediator, on behalf of ourselves, or others; deprecating evils, and supplicating good things; in dependence on the promised aids of the Spirit, and

bly careful to cultivate the gift of prayer;-and, From the fact, that some very eminent preachers are remarkably deficient; as, on the other hand, some, who excel in praying, do not appear to advantage when addressing their fellow-creatures.

I shall begin with a few remarks on what relates to yourself.

1. Recollect that you appear, not only as an official professional man, but in the character of a worshipper with your fellow-worshippers; in the character of a sinner with fellow-sinners.

your

2. Prepare your heart to seek God. As you would not preach, so neither should you pray, without preparation. I would not be understood, however, to advise you to study words beforehand, so much as things. Ho

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assistance of the Spirit in prayer, are highly worthy of attention.

5. A variety of thought and of expression may be happily sug gested by a chapter, or a psalm, read before prayer; or, by recol lecting what you have recently

race's observation will apply here, as well as to preaching: “Verbaque provisam rem, non invita sequentur." "The matter being provided, the words will freely follow." See, on this part of the subject, Job Orton's Letters to Dissent-read in private. Wherever you are ing Ministers and Students; called to take the lead in public published by the late Mr. Pal- worship, you will find it useful mer, of Hackney. to read, before sermon or before prayer, a small portion of holy writ. Your preaching is but a commentary; let the people always hear first the text itself.

3. Be concerned to breathe the spirit of a supplicant When Abraham interceded for Sodom, he said, "Behold, now, I have taken upon me to speak unto Jehovah, who am but Secondly, I proceed to nodust and ashes! Oh, let not Je-tice a few things which relate hovah be angry, and I will to your Creator. speak....Oh, let not Jehovah 1. Be very sparing (much be angry, and I will speak yet more than many preachers are) but this once." Gen. xviii. of the name of God" the glo27, 30, 32-Jacob said, " Irious and fearful name" of the am not worthy of the least of" great and terrible" God. We all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant, for, with my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two bands." Gen. xxxii. 10.-Ezra said, "O, my God, I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God." Ezra, ix. 6.

are all verily guilty of great irreverence! Let us watch and pray against this evil, in time to come.

2. If you compare what you read in holy writ, with what you hear in public prayers, you will see, perhaps, that we are all very defective in adoration. But scriptural views of the divine attributes are evidently adapted, at once, to humble and to encourage our souls; and the language of adoration, borrowed from the recorded prayers of holy men, will powerfully impress the minds of many, and raise every devout worshipper from earth to the highest heavens!

4. Indulge the emotions of your own mind at the time, whether joyful or sorrowful You will, sometimes, expatiate freely in the language of contrition; at other times, your heart may be enlarged with gratitude, and you will naturally abound with praise and thanksgiving. Whatever be the frame of your mind, remember that 3. Maintain a direct address Jesus is the great Intercessor, to the Deity. Labour hard to and that the Spirit also helpeth restrain and bind your vagrant our infirmities. Rom. viii. 16. thoughts. Do not suffer yourDr. Watts's remarks, on the self to be talking to the people,