tages connected with it; but if our practice were different, a fair roll of names might be appended to our present volume. It is with the hope and promise of yet further valuable assistance wherewithal to enrich our pages, that we look forward, if the Lord will, to the labours of the coming year.

We must, however, pass from the consideration of the circumstances of our own Periodical to some brief contemplation of the year which is now so rapidly drawing to a close. Ere its end it is not impossible that some startling events may happen which will derange all calculation, and prelude, if not accomplish, mighty changes; but we have neither the skill nor the intention to prophesy of the future. It is the past only which should engage our thoughts. We might then, perhaps, most aptly describe the year 1873 as one of those seasons of lull which occur in the midst of cyclones. For the moment there is no longer the howling of the tempest and the frantic energy of the storm; but there is still the working of the sea, and the blackness of darkness all around; and there is to the experienced sailor the dread anticipation of a yet more furious tornado, which is gathering strength, and will burst anon with more devastating results. If we compare the present year with those which have immediately preceded it, it has not been marked with the same important, and indeed awful, incidents, which have characterised those which have recently passed away. There has been peace instead of war; there has been no Indian Mutiny, no War of Secession, no internecine struggle, such as has so lately been brought to a close between France and Germany, to chronicle; but it could not well be added that the period now elapsing has been a period of good-will. Whether we look at home or abroad, we are constrained to feel that, although overt acts of violence have been few, much jealousy and mutual alienation has prevailed, not only among nations, but amongst classes of men in the same nation. There has been much separation and distrust among those who should have been most intimately united in bonds of love and sympathy. The eyes of men have been evil towards their brethren. Nor have we far to seek for the main cause of this mutual hatred and antagonism. Ever since the day when Papal Infallibility was proclaimed, and condign humiliation so quickly overtook the cabal who palmed off this absurdity upon pro

fessing Christendom, by the wresting from them of the temporal dominion which they clung to so tenaciously, the efforts of those who have been intriguing in the Vatican have been to stimulate the fanaticism of their adherents, and to provoke throughout Europe religious war. This attempt was hardly disguised in the fearful struggle between the Teutonic and Latin races, as represented by Germany and France. It has ever since been more distinctly apparent, and in both countries priestly agitators have been busily fomenting discord, and seeking to precipitate a fresh and yet more deadly struggle. God gave the victory to Germany, and such has been the prostration of France, that it has been impossible to renew the conflict; but the most convulsive efforts have been made to organize renewed hostilities in a not distant future. Happily, so far, there has been frustration of these mischievous schemes. The Legitimist Monarchy in France, from which so much was fondly hoped, has passed away like the bubble blown by a child.

In Germany, the Emperor and his great minister have neither yielded an inch nor bated their breath before the insolent pretensions of the Papacy, but have checked with wholesome vigour every attempted infraction of law and order. In Italy, what are called the religious orders, even the Jesuits, have in Rome itself been dispossessed of the citadels from which they waged war against mankind. In Spain, sinister agencies have been at work to restore the Church of Rome to her privileges and power, but hitherto in vain. At few previous periods has Rome been so busy, goaded on by disappointment and despair. Even we, who have been at the edge of the storm, have not been exempt from some portion of the agitation. We have witnessed in Ireland fresh symptoms of disaffection to England being fanned into life; while, in what our Bishops have at last discovered to be a determined effort to Romanize the Church of England, the machinations of traitors who have ill will to our Zion can be clearly traced. The result of all this throughout Europe has been the perturbation of spirit which we have attempted to describe. Nor have more immediate visitations from God been wanting to create anxiety and alarm. Cholera has been hovering over Europe, and steadily, although hitherto in a not very alarming form, been extending itself even to our very shores. It has not been, as yet, serious in its ravages;

but who can tell what it may be in the coming year? There has, therefore, although there has been a fair amount of material prosperity, and an absence of war and bloodshedding, been much distress of nations with perplexity.

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It is, then, in such perilous and anxious times that those who love the truth, and who feel how inextricably it is bound up with the Word of God and the maintenance of Protestant and Evangelical principles, should exert themselves to the uttermost for its continuance in our land. As wise and prudent seamen they should prepare themselves for the approaching outburst of the coming storm, looking well to the precious deposit entrusted to them. It would seem, from the aspect of the times, as though the Master were saying, "Behold, I come quickly hold that fast which thou hast, that no man may take thy crown." We trust that grace may be given to all who love the Lord Jesus in truth and sincerity to do their part in what we feel is an impending conflict. Wise measures are urgently needed to rescue the young from the sophistry and delusions which have perverted so many minds, left helpless and inexperienced to contend with the wiles of crafty men. Faithful protests are required against the manifold errors of the day, and a distinct separation from those who pervert the truth and hold it in unrighteousness. The world is as much as ever the world, though it has now a thin varnish of religious observances over it. What fellowship with such ceremonial and ceremonious professions can the believer have? Over and over again, during its long career, has the Christian Observer had to deplore its need of assuming the position of a controversialist, but still it has ever "earnestly contended for the faith which was once delivered to the saints." While, therefore, we shall endeavour to the uttermost to place before our readers those things which make for peace and for edification, we trust that we shall be, as we ever have been, ready to "blow an alarm,” when there is danger in, or an assault contemplated on, God's holy mountain.

"Lord, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."