THE AMERICAN BAPTIST MAGAZINE. PUBLISHED BY THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE BAPTIST GENERAL CONVENTION. VOL. XI. Boston: LINCOLN & EDMANDS, 59 WASHINGTON-STREET. 1831. PREFACE. On commencing a new volume, custom renders it necessary either to take a retrospect of the past, or to exhibit a prospectus of the future. We shall coneisely advert to both. The intelligence spread before our readers the past year has been of a cheering character, particularly in relation to the Burman Mission. A gratifying measure of success has attended the Missionaries; new and promising fields have opened before them, and the Divine Spirit has accompanied their labors, to the conversion of many of the heathen. The new Missionaries, also, who have recently embarked, exceed in number all who were previously in the field, thus strengthening the hands of our brethren, and cheering their hearts in their arduous services. Efforts for the long neglected sons of Africa have also been renewed, by the appointinent and embarkation of a Missionary for Liberia. That these events have been viewed with interest by our readers, is evinced by the pecuniary aid which has been received from various sections of our country, and by Missionary organizations in many places, where efforts had not previously been made. The future assumes a proinising aspect, and we commence a new volume with pleasing anticipations in relation to benevolent enterprise. As a foundation has been laid for extended christian efforts in the Burman Empire; as the number of Missionaries has been increased, and as the press is now in operation, by which the word of life may be extensively circulated, more prominent events are anticipated. It will continue to be the object of the Magazine, to give early and copious information of the most interesting events in relation to the Foreign Missions under the patronage of the Board, and also to present condensed accounts of the Missions of other Societies, and of the progress of religion in our own country, and in other christian lands. But although the cause of Missions will constitute a prominent portion of the work, a place will also be assigned to Biographical and Theological Communications, and a general notice of the benevolent operations of the day will be concisely recorded. As the number of subscribers has continued for several years to decline, it is time to speak explicitly in reference to the continuance of the work. The advantage which weekly publications possess overthose which are monthly, in furnishing fresh intelligence, is obvious, and operates so directly against their success, that the existence of them is jeoparded. |