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THE

ENGLISH

PRESBYTERIAN MESSENGER.

THE great thing in the Church is Christ,-the eternal Deity of Christ, the blood of Christ, the Spirit of Christ, the presence of Christ among us. The great thing is Christ, but there is also advantage in a certain government of the Church. I am a Presbyterian, not only of situation, but of conviction and choice. Our Presbyterian way is the good middle way between Episcopacy on the one side, and Congregationalism on the other. We combine the two great principles that must be maintained in the Church-Order and Liberty: the order of government, and the liberty of the people.-MERLE D'AUBIGNE.

VOL. V.-NEW SERIES.

LONDON:

HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO., PATERNOSTER ROW;

JAMES NISBET AND CO., BERNERS STREET;

AND TO BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS.

ALEX. MACINTOSH,

PRINTER,

GREAT NEW-STREET, LONDON.

PREFACE.

WITH the present number we close another section of our labours, and approach the termination of another year. So far as the progress of vital Christianity is concerned, it has not been a year marked by much that is cheering, either in our own or in other lands. Doubtless, in many quarters there is still much soundness in the faith in point of doctrine ; the "form of sound words" is held fast; but there has been little advance made in breaking up the cold formality that prevails in all our religious assemblies. Congregations have been struggling merely to hold fast that which they have; but there have been comparatively few accessions in numbers, and few genuine conversons to the living God. This holds equally true of Sabbath-schools, and all our fields of Christian labour. The good seed has been sown,—and it is to be feared we are too often contented with the mere sowing, but there has been little life or power manifested. This is not only generally true of our own land, but we fear also, of almost every part of the world, Foreign Mission fields not exempted. Turn we to the right hand or the left, there is a complaint of "leanness." But this evil has not become oppressive to us; it does not lie heavy on our spirits. Few are yet crying to the Lord, "We will not let thee go except thou bless us."

Would that we could speak of our own Church in this land as an exception; but although, as we believe, we are uniformly sounder in doctrine than any other, we share to a sad extent the common leanness. Some additions have been made during the year to the number of our congregations, and thus far, in the midst of increasing "perversions," we are helping to give the Gospel "free course;" but there are comparatively few places of which we can say that it is being extensively "glorified." The fact, "that we are not worse than our neighbours" (perhaps not so bad as some), should not be enough to satisfy us. While, in some cases, they are seeking for remedies in modified forms and new arrangements, it will be well for us if we look to the Lord alone for help, and "give him no

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rest" until He accompany his Word with the demonstration of the Spirit and with power.

Turning from the past to the future we meet not with a horizon unclouded. In the probable scarcity of food-symptoms of commercial depression-foreshadows of approaching pestilence, and the prospects of a war, the extent and duration of which none can venture to measure, we see cause for deep humility, and the need of a firmer hold of the right arm of Divine power. Popery and infidelity, too, are waging a desperate warfare against the truth. But amidst these portentous movements there is abundant ground for hope: "The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth," and He who teacheth righteousness by his judgments, can also make the wrath of man to praise Him.

Every year affords us new proofs that in this land there is an "open door," and an important work for our Presbyterian Church;-that there is not only "room," but pressing need for her energies, if these be put forth with prudence and wisdom. Our past experience has shown, that with more zeal, more unity, and more liberal and hearty co-operation on the part of all our members and congregations, the future may be marked with greater and speedy advances than the past; and that striving together for the extension and glory of the Redeemer's kingdom, "God, even our own God, shall bless us.'

To those who have kindly exerted themselves on behalf of this Journal, either in furnishing us with suitable contributions, or in the extension of its circulation, we express sincere gratitude. We enter upon the labours of another year relying on their continued assistance, and with the sincere desire that our own exertions may be more worthy of the work we have undertaken, than they have been in the past.

LONDON, December, 1853.

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