SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS' MAGAZINE, AND JOURNAL OF EDUCATION. Third Series. VOLUME THE THIRD. 1846. LONDON: Published for the Proprietors, BY RICHARD DAVIS, 60, PATERNOSTER ROW. PREFACE. IN addressing our supporters, contributors, and readers, at the close of another year of our literary labors, we most heartily congratulate them on the satisfactory circumstance, that the sale of this Magazine has experienced a decided increase throughout the year, which we hail as a most pleasing indication of the progress and improvement of religious education in the United Kingdom. Our great aim and object have been, by an additional pecuniary outlay, and a most extensive correspondenee, to render this periodical, (of the usefulness of which we have received so many testimonies,) still more worthy of the high and noble cause it is expressly designed to advance. The numerous educational subjects of commanding interest, the exhibition of important principles and statements, and the ample details of intelligence received or derived from many different quarters during the past year, have tended to fill the pages of this Magazine with no ordinary degree of richness, and this we feel warranted in asserting, both from the acceptableness of its various numbers, and the commendations which have been bestowed upon their contents. While every effort has been employed on our part to render this periodical attractive and interesting, we have not failed to discharge our higher obligations, we trust, in a conscientious manner, for the purpose of arousing, or searching, or instructing teachers in relation to the most sacred part of their work. If we have at times spoken as with trumpet-voice to the ear of the careless; if we have manifested an earnestness that the welfare of the souls of children should be intensely regarded; if we have raised our tones to an elevated pitch when pleading for increased spirituality among religious teachers, we feel that we have therein recognized an imperative duty, which we were bound to perform. On the other hand, we have gladly embraced every opportunity to give animation, direction, and strong encouragement to those teachers who steadfastly and honorably pursue their selfdenying and God-glorifying avocation. May they be wise in wielding "the sword of the Spirit," may they continue to combat error with increasing effect, and may they be more prosperous in their endeavors to prepare the young, through the grace of God, to gain greater triumphs over vice, immorality, and profaneness. There is one subject which, we must acknowledge, has been only slightly and cautiously introduced into our pages during the past year. |