nearly FOUR THOUSAND POUNDS were given away from its profits! The various Missionary Societies, the Bible Society, the Religious Tract Society, and the Sunday School Union, have all been partakers of its liberality. Its first donation to the Bible Society, fifty pounds, was about one-twelfth of that Society's first year's income. Eternity only can unfold its success in winning souls to Christ. Its promoters have, however, never been, during the long period of fifty years, without striking illustrations of the efficiency and nature of their benevolent labours. Spiritual thanksgivings have been wafted towards them-odours more precious than those which come from "Araby the Blest" -thanksgivings which belong, not to the weak and imperfect instruments, but to Him who is over all, God blessed for ever. The next half century wears an aspect of solemn significancy. If ever the cry of "NOW OR NEVER!" was addressed to slumbering Christians, it is the trumpet call of duty which summons us to awake out of sleep, and arouse ourselves for strenuous efforts in our Master's cause. Now or never, the great battle of truth with error, of light with darkness, of Christ with Belial, is to be fought on the field of the world. Our privilege it has been, as by God's help it will continue to be, to marshal many young soldiers for this conflict; to teach them the science of this war; to bid them take to themselves the whole armour of light, and to adjure them, by motives of the deepest urgency, to quit them like men and be strong. May we say to the readers of the YOUTH'S MAGAZINE, in an age when it is especially true that knowledge is power, determine, in strength from on high, to KNOW NOTHING AMONG MEN, SAVE JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. So we bid you a loving farewell! |