PRIMITIVE CHURCH Magazine, ADVOCATING THE CONSTITUTION, FAITH, AND PRACTICE 66 ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM:" EPHESIANS IV. VOL. XI.-NEW SERIES. London: ARTHUR HALL & CO., 25, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1854. PREFACE. WILL our readers give us their attention for a few minutes, before they send the year's magazines to the bookbinder, or consign them, without the honour of a cover and a label, to the shelf which has already received their predecessors? We are not going to dip our pen in gall, or Fill our fellow-creature's ear With the sad tale of all our care. We have, indeed, had our discouragements, but we write them in the sand, that their memory may soon be washed out by the coming tide of more earnest and active Christian sympathy. It is our purpose just now briefly to draw attention to our position and prospects. Our position is somewhat changed. The work which we have the honour to conduct, has been adopted by the members of a Society, which, in our opinion, is second in importance to none of our denominational institutions. The Strict Baptist Society, as to means and influence, is indeed "a little one." It has not yet left behind "the day of small things." Its value, however, is not to be estimated by the number of its adherents, or by the magnitude of its resources. Were all consistent Baptists prayerfully to consider the objects it has in view, both its friends and its resources would speedily be multiplied. The original design of the Society was to furnish the means of private education for the ministry. To compass this object, well qualified Christian ministers have been induced to receive approved brethren into their houses for a term of years, during which their course of study has been directed, and their future efficiency as pastors (by an initiatory process) promoted. The excellence of this plan is no longer a mere theory. Several young men who have received its benefits, are now comfortably and usefully settled in different parts of the kingdom over churches, whose increasing prosperity is to us a source of continual gratitude. Missionary efforts are also being made by the Strict Baptist Society. Divine providence has seemed, at different times, to put in the way of the |