THE FREE CHURCH MAGAZINE. JANUARY-DECEMBER 1852. NEW SERIES.-VOL. I. EDINBURGH: JOHNSTONE AND HUNTER, PRINCES STREET. M.DCCC.LII, ADDRESS. THE year now drawing to a close has not been marked by many of those bold and startling events which have characterised some of its predecessors, but rather by the silent though sure development of principles and lines of policy which have been in operation for some time. We have had clearer demonstrations than ever of the humiliating results of despotic government-new proofs of the close alliance of despotism and Popery, and what the two would accomplish if they could; on the other hand, indications of a wide-spread disposition to throw off the fetters of Rome and embrace a purer creed-bright gleams of a coming day when every yoke shall be broken, and the oppressed set free. In the Church of England, the two great opposing forces, Popery and Evangelism, have been manifesting an increasing dislike for each other's company, though the warfare is still only one of words. As for the Government of the country, we may very thankful that the business of the nation can get on so well without it, for, to all intents and purposes, we have had no Government at all. And as to what may be coming in the political future, speculation has but small encouragement to hazard conjectures; it is driven back from every point upon that old and impregnable position," Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." be The Free Church has this year consummated her union with the majo rity of the Original Secession. There are other true-hearted Presbyterians in the country, with whom it would be a pleasure to be united in body, as we already are united in spirit. Something of this kind seems to be "looming in the future;" let us hope, in these days of rapid movement, that the consummation may not be a very distant one. And if all the true Presbyterians of the country were but coming to be more of one heart, and mind, and spirit, by becoming more absorbed in the great work of promoting the cause of Christ, unions still more extensive might be contemplated, and the arrival of a happy day anticipated, when the reproach of disunion, and the feebleness of disorganization, among those who in reality are one, would pass away. The Editor of this Magazine had hoped that he might now be enabled to make his bow to the public, and resign the Editorial whip and reins. |