than our best efforts; we hope that we shall improve and do better every year. Practical usefulness we have solely aimed at, and when we cannot promote this end we will have done with our periodical. There are enough monthlies which aim at amusement, and forswear fixed principles; we have a purpose and a belief, and dare not shelve either for an hour. By this magazine supplies have been brought in to help our College, and other schemes; mainly by its means £1800 was raised at the beginning of the year towards the erection of new chapels in London, and other good works have been commenced or sustained. Will all generous contributors receive our personal acknowledgments. There are other enterprises upon the stocks which we hope soon to launch.

Our more warlike articles have brought down upon us avalanches of indignation, in which we have rejoiced as evidences that the strokes were felt. Our circulation has been well sustained, and is most encouraging. Our number of subscribers has not however increased; we had hoped it would have done so, but considering the number of new periodicals we are glad to hold our own. The advance in the wages of workers in the printing-office will render our expenses fully twenty-five per cent. more than formerly in the matter of printing, and we should be very deeply grateful if some of our readers would exert themselves to get us new subscribers to make up for this serious loss. As all the profits go to help God's servants we make bold to press the matter, and the more so because the magazine is really worth its price, and is calculated to advance practical godliness.

To many able contributors our best thanks are tendered, and if some admirable compositions have failed to appear, it has been because happily we have had and hope still to have an embarrassment of riches in this respect. To insert all that we receive a half-crown magazine would not suffice, we must therefore plead for the kind forbearance of friends whose productions are delayed. We fear that many poetic

contributions must be declined with thanks, for we have more than enough in quantity, and the quality is in some cases not above proof. However, we are quite as grateful for well-meant aid when we decline as when we accept.

May we all beholding the skirts of the departing year be humbled at the remembrance of its sins, and be strengthened by divine grace to welcome the new comer whose joy-bells are so near their ringing with holier resolution to spend its precious hours in the service of the Crucified.

FRIENDS, ONE AND ALL, in the holiest and heartiest meaning, we wish you A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

ESU'S tremendous name

Puts all our foes to flight:

Jesus, the meek, the angry Lamb,
A Lion is in fight.

By all hell's host withstood;

We all hell's host o'erthrow;

And conquering them, through Jesu's blood,

We still to conquer go.

Our Captain leads us on;
He beckons from the skies,
And reaches out a starry crown,
And bids us take the prize:

"Be faithful unto death;
Partake my victory;

And thou shalt wear this glorious wreath,

And thou shalt reign with me."