THE GOSPEL HERALD; OR, POOR CHRISTIAN'S MAGAZINE. "One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism," Eph. iv. 5. VOL. XV. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY HOULSTON AND STONEMAN, 65, PATERNOSTER ROW; LOYNS, BECCLES; ABBOTT, DISS; J. SOUTHWELL, OHATTERIS; CLARKE, HORSHAM; UNDERHILL, LIVERPOOL; SIMPSON, NEWMARKET; CREAK, ELY; AND MAY BE HAD OF ANY OTHER BOOKSELLER THROUGHOUT THE KINGDOM. PREFACE. ANOTHER year ended. Another annual volume of our Magazine com pleted. Another preface to write. Weighty and momentous facts; made so, at least, to our own minds. They point us retrospectively, to favours bestowed-supports afforded-deliverances vouchsafed-and, alas! to mercies forgotten-warnings unheeded-duties neglected--and unfilial behaviour of all kinds-in connexion with the solemn truth, that another year is gone FOR EVER! Reader, is it thus with THY soul? Nevertheless, amidst much that is vile in ourselves, too worthless to dilate upon, and much too repulsive to delight in, we have been upheld in life, and saved from death and despair," through the good hand of our God upon us," even until this day. Whilst we have felt frequently that in us "there dwelleth no good thing;" we have been at sweet and sacred seasons enabled to feel and realize that in our covenant Lord there is no lack of any good thing, and beneath the almighty operations of God, the Holy Spirit, we have sometimes sung, while plodding on in our wilderness pilgrimage, "A fulness resides in JESUS OUR HEAD, And ever abides to answer our need." And we have grasped the staff of promise more firmly in the hand of faith; and leaning afresh on "I will never leave thee, neither forsake thee," have drank again of the water of life-have eaten anew of the Paschal Lamb, the sweetness of which has made us forget the garnishing of bitter herbs, and have lifted up the head, and gone on our way rejoicing." The events of the bye gone year have been various and important. In the political agitation-in the social condition-and the intellectual progress of nations and states, much has occurred, which no reflective and righteous mind can behold without interest and emotion. Still the Lord reigns, and whilst his hand holds the sceptre of universal control, all must be ordered or permitted for good. The church of God has sustained a severe loss in the demise of that eminent servant and minister of Christ, MR. JOHN STEVENS. But whilst wE, in a peculiar manner deplore his decease, we cannot but adore the glorious grace which held up his hands throughout his ministry, consoled his spirit in his dying hours, and translated him from a mortal state, with all the evils, cares and temptations incident thereto, to a glorified state of being, and the full |