PREFACE.

THE close of an editorial year, is necessarily associated with the grateful recollection of those contributors and friends who have kindly aided and supported us during the preceding twelve months. Feelings of this nature are not the less sincere, when the circle round which they revolve is more limited than we could have wished. Our readers will have observed, and some of them we know, with regret, that we did not gain sufficient patronage and encouragement, to continue that addition to the original thirty-two pages, and recommencement of pictorial illustrations, with which we commenced the vear. Whether or not these improvements be resumed, must wholly depend on the circulation of the Magazine. Our desires to continue them were earnest, our opportunities ample, and our arrangements perfect; only the question of expense was not satisfactorily answered by the public. As the case is, we shall be glad to render our pages as promotive as may be of the instruction and interest of our readers.

One or two correspondents, and especially one in the Northern division of the island, have recently expressed their wishes as to the future arrangement of our pages. We shall consider well their suggestions, ere our January number is issued; and shall be glad if we can comply with their wishes. We greatly fear, however, that a monthly digest of all the preferments, &c., would occupy too much space, even were it a very scanty selection from the great mass of {such intelligence, which weekly comes before us. The former Editor began it, but soon discontinued it. We have many times made the attempt, but found the mass wholly beyond the limits of a small Magazine. We have hopes, however, that we can render the plan more comprehensive, though within our present smaller compass of pages.

The principles advocated in the Magazine will undergo no change. They are those of "The Church" of the Church of England, as Evangelical, Scriptural, Primitive, Catholic, and firmly protesting against the errors and usurpations of Rome. With the Romanizers, who have now fully developed the Papal principles, which were in embryo even in the first volume of the Tracts for the Times, and who are remaining in our Church, only for the purpose, and in

the vain hope of "unprotestantizing" it, we have as little sympathy as with those who tend towards Protestant Dissent, or have actually ranked themselves as Sectarians, and therefore as co-schismatics with the English Papists.

Entire and hearty approval, after long and unprejudiced examination and experience of all the doctrines, the constitution, and the formularies of our Church; strict adherence to them, and earnest advocacy of them-these are the feelings upon which we have acted, and shall continue to act in our editorial career, and in our clerical labours. If we succeed in leading others to this fixed and wellfounded faith, if we convince them that our Church is a true and Scriptural Church,—whether it be, as it is by the grace of God, established among us, or it were again for a time to be persecuted and disestablished,--if we may be instrumental in leading them to value their privileges, to walk in the light of the Lord, to grow up unto Christ in all things, and to build themselves on their most holy faith, then we shall be "comforted over them by their faith." Then we shall not have "run in vain, nor laboured in vain.”