FAMILY

THE

TREASURY.

Edited by

THE REV. WILLIAM ARNOT,

LAWS FROM HEAVEN FOR LIFE ON EARTH," "LIFE OF DR. JAMES HAMILTON," ETC.

THE

FAMILY TREASURY.

AVA

To Our Readers.

E congratulate our readers and ourselves on the completion of another year's intercourse, and the commencement of a new season. Considering the tendency of the times to all manner of extravagance and fastness, it is something that a journal whose chief attraction lies in its "truth and soberness," should have gone steadily forward, and held its own. We propose to maintain the same course for the coming year. It will be our aim to discriminate between what is good and what is evil in the spirit of the age. We shall not fly in the face of everything belonging to the latter half of the century which conflicts with the habits that prevailed when the century was young. Society is moving; but society has a right to move, and it is no desire of ours to arrest its progress. Everywhere the anchors are up; to heave them out again, and so abruptly arrest the motion, is neither possible nor desirable. Onward we must go; and they are the truest patriots who, acknowledging accomplished facts, busy themselves in taking an observation, or spreading a sail, or handling the helm, if so be they may guide the generation in the path of safety and peace. It is better that the raft should be gliding forward with the swollen stream, even at some risk from shallows or projecting rocks, than that it should lie all summer in the creek among the continental forests, where it was fastened by last winter's ice. We are not of those who think all is lost, when the vessel leaves the river, and the mariners can no longer moor her to a tree at night; for if we are out at sea, and can no longer see the land, we have lights fixed in heaven whereby we may determine our course, we have a chart, and a compass, and a helm. We are exposed now to heavier surges; but if we are enabled to keep the right path, we shall make more rapid progress, and bring home greater gain.

We are not disposed to complain that our lot has been cast in a somewhat troubled time. We like a leaping river better than a stagnant pool. It is far better to be worn somewhat by work, than corroded by the rust of idleness. If there are "abominations in the earth," a Christian does not exhaust his duty by "sighing and crying" over them. "Up, guards, and at them!" is a very good motto for our warfare; and in one short phrase of Scripture we shall find both our strategy and our armament," Speaking the truth in love."

Our readers will find in THE FAMILY TREASURY this year the usual variety of subject and method. The journal aims to reflect Christian life in its manifold relations and aspects. Didactic instruction will alternate with the narrative of fact. The appetite of the age for fiction will be met by wholesome food. A work of imagination may deeply stir the reader's affections, and at the same time mould them into truth and purity. It will be our aim, in conjunction with many fellow-labourers in