PREFACE. THIRTY-SIX years ago the Christian Observer claimed to be one of the oldest periodical works then in existence. Even then it was felt that it would be in vain to reckon up the names or numbers of the monthly publications which had been projected and had died away since the issue of our first volume. Quoting the words of Dr. Johnson, the conductors then exclaimed, "Alas, where is the world into which we entered!" and in which they found themselves surviving amidst the wrecks of former contemporaries, and wondering almost that they found themselves alive. Those who are familiar with the history of the period, especially its theological history, would not feel astonishment at such expressions of feeling on the part of the early friends of the Christian Observer. It would not be easy to exaggerate the hostility evoked by the simple enunciation of evangelical truth in its pages, or the amount of obloquy which it had to sustain. Its friends, though gifted and many of them ripe scholars, were few in number when contrasted with the weight of learning and ecclesiastical prejudice arrayed against them. That the Christian Observer did survive, "una de multis," can only be ascribed to the blessing of God resting upon the consistent course pursued, which upheld it then and has preserved it hitherto. But with what additional and still more meaning emphasis may we now, after the lapse of so many additional years, take up the language of the great moralist. We will not say with him "Alas!" nor will we look into the future with the forecasting of morbid melancholy; but we may well ask again, "Where is the world into which we entered?" The material framework of it still exists upheld by the hand of its Creator. The sun is still its light by day, and the moon has not withdrawn her light, nor has God yet sealed up the stars; but when we pass beyond the enumeration of such physical phenomena, how little remains unchanged! We have to look back to the time of the Reformation for any period analogous or comparable in importance to that which has elapsed since the three-score years and ten, when the first number of our periodical appeared. Thrones, dominions, powers, have been swept away; their history has to be studied in voluminous records of the past; feeble colonies have waxed into mighty nations; scientific discoveries of unparalleled importance and magnitude have wholly altered the mutual relations of mankind-as, for instance, when with one throb all even the remotest nations pulsate if any mighty event affects the condition of one member of the whole body; habits and modes of thought have been so transformed that it requires no small effort of imagination to recur to those which are past; above all, on how many of the darkest places of the earth has the Sun of Righteousness arisen with healing on His wings! It is impossible to escape such thoughts at the close of a year more prolific in eventful history than any which has preceded it during the present century. At its commencement there were not wanting indications of restlessness and discontent, especially in unhappy France, to which we did not fail to advert; but, had predictions of what has since actually come to pass been uttered, men would have listened to them with as much unconcern as did the Trojans to the wailings of Cassandra. In political matters, the most sagacious and experienced politicians were at fault, and in a most curious manner were proclaiming to one another Peace when there was no peace. It was felt however by all, that Rome was embarking on dangerous courses, and that the infatuated advisers of the Papacy were bent on self-destruction. The pages of Revelation were anxiously studied by devout persons, while bewildered cardinals and bishops were delivering up their strength into captivity; but who would have ventured to foretell how the deliverance of the nations would be accomplished? What wild seer would have been credited who, this day last year, would have asserted that the same day and the same hour would have sealed the extinction of the temporal power of the Papacy and the downfall of the Latin race, by whose armed intervention for centuries it had been upheld? Who would not have argued that he who had letted hitherto, would not still let, and with mailed hand uphold the tottering Pontiff on his throne? They have been "brought into desolation in a moment; they have been utterly consumed with terrors, as a dream when one awaketh." In the face of such marvellous events, plainly some untried future, of which men have not yet had experience, is opening itself to view. We are dipping our feet into the brim of the waters, and would fain picture to ourselves what may be beyond them, but "amid the encircling gloom" such vision is not readily attainable. One reassuring fact, however, still gleams forth for the consolation and support of the Israel of God, and that is that the Ark of God still abides among men in the fulness and freshness of its everlasting strength. Whatever else has been swept away during the past seventy years, the Bible has not been dislodged from the hearts and consciences of mankind. Rude assaults have been made on its integrity, and insidious attempts set on foot for its supersession; but the universality of its diffusion, and the efficacy of its warnings and consolations, testify emphatically that "the Word of the Lord abideth for ever." We will not, however, advert further to the distress and perplexity of continental nations, but with a devout acknowledgment of the unmerited mercy and goodness of God, who has hitherto made peace within our borders, we would make some brief mention of questions which intimately affect ourselves. In the midst of the tumultuous strife which has raged abroad, our domestic struggles have been intermitted of late. Like those on shore who were witnessing the great battle in the harbour of Syracuse, while contemplating it even our bodies have, as it were, been swaying to and fro in sympathy with our thoughts, according as our sympathies have been enlisted in favour of one or other of the contending parties. These questions, however, are not the less real and urgent, and meriting the most earnest consideration from those who have at heart the best interests of our beloved country. Foremost among them is the Education question, which has been by an Act of the Legislature made compulsory throughout England. We could have wished that more deference had been shown to the convictions of the clergy who have been so conspicuous for their exertions in this most noble cause. It would be bootless now to enquire how far jealousy of those exertions has influence in the shaping of the measure. But we trust the English clergy will rise superior to all such petty feeling, and will address themselves heartily to turn it to the best account. If there is to be a strife, let it be for who shall be pre-eminent in caring most for the lambs of Christ's flock. No doubt there will be many nice questions to be adjusted, and there will be much room for controversy as to the best course to be adopted in cases as they arise. Such questions will need ventilation, and require channels for the diffusion of thought. There is, moreover, too, the plague of Ritualism infecting the Church, which still rages 'Inque dies avidum surgens caput altius effert." We would much rejoice if the good sense and piety which we trust exists among many in the House of Commons, could devise means for remedying this evil; and, by judicious legislation and rational compromise, so enlarge the borders of our National Church as to comprise within them much of the piety of the nation alienated from her by the prevalence of these fantastic mummeries. Upon the important doctrinal points which are submitted to the Privy Council we do not enter, though most momentous issues hinge upon the decisions which may be given; nor do |