THE Spiritual Magazine ; OR, SAINTS TREASURY. VOLUME VIII. FROM MAY, 1831, TO DECEMBER, 1832. << There are Three that bear record in heaven; the FATHER, the WORD, and the Ho Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. John v. 7. Jude 3. London: PUBLISHED BY E. PALMER, 18, PATERNOSTER ROW; AND MAY BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS IN TOWN AND COUNTRY. 1832. ** All Communications for this Magazine must be addressed to the Publisher. PREFACE. THE pleasing opportunity is again afforded us by the completion of another, the Eighth, Volume of our Magazine, to present our thanks and our best wishes to our Subscribers and Correspondents; and this we now do for the first time, as it will always be in future, at a season when we may wish them, in the best sense of the words, "A happy New Year!" Most of our readers are aware of our intention with the forthcoming Number, to commence a new series; not, however, with the view of altering the essential and insular character of our Work, but chiefly to begin our Volumes with the beginning of the year, and to allow such new Subscribers as may not be disposed to purchase the entire Work an opportunity of commencing with a commence ment. We say, not with a view of altering the essential and insular character of our Work: to gain popularity we are sensible this would be needed, but popularity is not our ambition. When the Spiritual Magazine was at first commenced we were fully aware that comparatively but few would read it; we contented ourselves with the reflection, that we should be scorned by the multitude; and from the calm obscurity we have so long dwelt in we are not desirous to emerge. No; for when the delightful truth comes home to our minds that our humble, our despised Work has been the means of awakening, comforting, and edifying any of the Lord's family-the humble and despised among the world's votaries—and it is a truth we thank our heavenly Father that he hath for our encouragement been pleased to give us frequent assurance of-then we can regard, not with contempt but pity the busy trifling which occupies the minds of earth's children; and then, while we feel in our own bosoms a consciousness that we are treading |