frown upon them, and reduce at once their subscription list, if they should make the attempt. The influence of religion is so great that it must be respected by its opponents, or their success even in business will be unfavorably affected.

There is another feature in our periodical literature to which we object, and that is, the introduction into its pages of so much FICTION. This appears in respectable papers and magazines. There are different grades of fictitious writings. In the lower class of periodicals may be found the most corrupt and debasing tales, whose composition clearly proves their authors' minds to be fountains of uncleanness and obscenity, and their bodies fit tenants of the darkest cells at Sing Sing, where one or two have recently taken up their residence. Their "Mysteries of New York," and romances, and diabolical lies, have the nost direct tendency possible to lead those who are silly enough to read them, to the lowest theatres, the most wretched gambling houses, infernal groggeries and brothels, and finally to ruin, untimely death, and the deepest fires of the bottomless pit! It should be sounded like thunder in the ears of all, LET NOVELS ALONE! do not take the first step in the way of temptation.—“Touch not, taste not, handle not." True, there are some romances which are not particularly objectionable in themselves; but we scarcely ever knew an instance in which a person became fond of respectable romances, who did not subsequently desire to peruse, and actually indulge in reading those of a lower class. We say let them all alone. That is the only safe It is hardly necessary to say that we have the strongest objections to the contamination of our periodical literature with such fictions. We must also raise our note of remonstrance against religious stories, and especially those not founded on fact. The grand objection to them is, that they tend to dissipate the mind, and create a taste for novel reading, and a distaste for solid, useful literature. The mind becomes inte rested, to be sure; but we believe, in nine cases out of ten, that interest will lead the young reader to peruse stories of a more objectionable character, and thus place him in the downward road. There is no need of fiction to interest the young. There are incidents enough, without a particle of fiction about them, which will secure the attention of the young or old better, we believe, than romance. We say to the press, and especially the religious press, watch the fountains. Do not pollute those waters from which flow, continually, corrupting or purifying streams into every part of the land. Do not step down from your lofty eminence to pamper the vitiated tastes of the multitude. Keep your standard high -your banners floating in purer air than that which popular favor usa

course.

ally generates-fearlessly resist the thousand influences which tend to weaken the moral sense and religious principle of our fellow men.

There are three departments of religious as well as secular literature, viz: Newspapers, Magazines, and Reviews. The first contain weekly reports of the religious world; the second, monthly intelligence, including useful family reading and some critical contributions to science and theology; the third, reviews in a still more extended manner the grand movements in christendom, the advancement or retrogression in sacred learning and general literature. Each class of these journals is needed and ought to be well sustained. The influence of devoted individual christians is said to be "the salt of the earth." The religious press exerts a similar influence. The former purifies by example and preceptthe latter by precept. But while the individual preaches to one, or a small number, the press proclaims the gospel to thousands and tens of thousands. At this moment, the press is extending the word of eternal life, and millions of evangelical tracts, and other pious effusions of sanctified minds, into the darkest corners of the earth. It is estimated that at least 40,000,000 copies of the sacred scriptures have been issued and scattered abroad by the several Bible Societies. Tract Societies have scattered billions of pages of holy truth in various parts of the world. The religious press in the Sandwich Islands is annually issuing more than a hundred million pages of gospel truth, and some hundreds of millions of tracts have been circulated, by missionaries, in heathen lands. These and other winged messengers of the press, have instrumentally comforted the afflicted, made the widow's heart to rejoice, caused many of the heathen to forsake their dumb idols, and been the means of preparing multitudes for the enjoyments of bliss in heaven.

Baptist literature is gradually advancing, and is destined to exert a powerful influence throughout the world, in favor of religious freedom, adherence to the plain precepts of the Bible translated, independent church polity, and all the vital interests of humanity, as well as of apostolical doctrine and piety. Several of the religious papers in our denomination have been materially improved during the past year, and are all, as far as we know, exerting a salutary and extensive influence in favor of truth. Our monthlies are moving on with considerable energy, and have greeted several new ones during the year. The Baptist Memorial has presented its readers with the cheering countenances of seven of our most talented and useful brethren and fathers, some of whom have left the scenes of this world, and are celebrating the praises of their Redeemer, we believe, at the right hand of the throne on high.

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEMORIAL.

During the past year, the enterprising Publisher, Bro. Z. P. HATCH, has expended more money on engravings and contributions to the contents of the work, than has been spent during any previous year of its existence. Original Portraits, like those which have appeared, are very expensive, and constitute an era in illustrated Baptist history and biography. Some interested persons may occasionally utter a note of complaint against the portraits of living divines; but we are fully of the opinion that while they are living is the very best time to secure perfect likenesses. We find it extremely difficult, in many cases, to secure correct ones after the person's decease. These portraits (we hope, also, the accompanying sketches), will, in future years, be considered as invaluable by every Baptist. We shall continue to insert those of living, as well as of deceased ministers. This year we furnish our readers with an increased amount of matter upon each page, by using smaller type, and yet the appearance of the page is improved. We also present our subscribers with a new and expensive cover, containing a beautiful primitive scene, witnessed more than eighteen hundred years ago by those who lined the banks of the Jordan, in Palestine.

The money expended during last year upon the work has not been in vain, as the Memorial has been more prosperous than at any previous time. The numerous commendations from the press, and from private letters of the most respectable character, have been very encouraging to us. Our design has not yet been fully carried out, and cannot be until the circulation of the work is much larger than it now is, and until we shall be able to devote our undivided attention to our editorial labors. But we believe, from the encouragement which we have received during the year which is past, and from the energetic efforts which we know will be made this year by Bro. HATCH, the Proprietor, that the Memorial will be placed upon a firm basis. There is not a clergyman or a church in the denomination, who could not assist us by a few names of subscribers, and if, dear brethren, you wish for such a work as you say you do, and if you wish to have it reach that point of excellence which it should, why will not all, as some have already done, put forth effort in its favor? There is certainly a want of consistency between our expressed opinions and actions upon this subject. The periodicals of our denomination, as a general thing, suffer exceedingly both in the publishing and editorial departments for want of liberal support. We are certainly behind other denominations in this respect. It cannot be expected that publishers will invest as much capital, or editors employ as much time and talent, to improve our periodical literature, as they would if it was better

patronized. The Baptist Memorial might have twenty thousand subscribers if only a small general effort were made-only about two subscribers in each church. Then we could bestow double the amount of labor, talent and money upon it that we now do, and make it still more worthy of the confidence and support of our large and increasing denomination.

The offering of prizes for the best essays, by the Publisher (see Prospectus), will, we believe, draw out the talents of some of our best writers, and thus improve the contents of the work; but will our friends remember that all these improvements cost money, and the Publisher must eventually sink under such heavy responsibilities, unless the denomination shall generously come up to his help.

The work will be conducted nearly as it has been hitherto, but improved if possible with our limited resources. In our Monthly Record and Literary Notices we are obliged to be quite brief, in order to give room for general family reading. The Juvenile Department has been often necessarily omitted during the past year. We shall endeavor to insert occasional articles for youth, if we do not have a separate Juvenile Department. We would say that the services of some of the best writers in the denomination have been secured, to contribute regularly to the work.

ces.

With much reluctance on our part, we have consented to appear again as sole editor, and shall try to do the best we can under the circumstanRev. S. Remington, as an associate editor, has rendered us essential service during the past year, and will still lend us his aid as a contributor. Rev. J. Dowling, D. D., Rev. S. F. Smith, Rev. H. J. Eddy, Rev. W. Lamson, and others, will also enrich the pages of the work, as heretofore.

CONCLUSION.

In concluding, we would admonish our readers, with ourselves, that we are hastening to that bourne whence no traveler returns. Another year has passed away-a year of peculiar affliction to many of our patrons. The scourge of the Almighty has been spreading desolation over the fairest portions of the earth. The Angel of death, in his most terrific form, has entered our dwellings, and several who perused the pages of the Memorial last year, will read it no more! Their toils and sufferings upon earth are ended, and they have entered, we believe, upon those joys around the throne, which eye hath not seen, and heart hath never conceived. Are we prepared to follow them? Those who have been bereaved, we commend to the Saviour, "whose heart is made of tenderness;

whose bowels melt with love." Go to him and you shall rejoice, though in the deepest sorrow. We have been spared another year; but perhaps ere its close, we shall be called to follow those who have gone before us. Are we ready? And let us entreat those of our readers who have not yet made preparation for a better world, to delay no longer, lest finally, when too late, they be obliged to take up the lamentation, that "The harvest is passed, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."

CALL TO THE MINISTRY.

AN INCIDENT.

MR. EDITOR- -The following incident occurred in the early history of Rev. Elisha Hutchinson, your respected father. Soon after he left the Congregational denomination, in which he received his education and commenced his ministry, he left New England, and went into what was then the almost unbroken wilderness of Western New York. He gathered a little society of Baptists, among whom was my own father (from whom I obtained this incident), and commenced preaching in log schoolhouses, barns, and under the forest trees. A council was called to ordain him. When asked to relate his call to the ministry, he simply said: "I wanted to preach, and went at it." The members of the council asked if he had no trials? He replied: "No, I was happy in the privilege." After the candidate had retired, and the question of ordination came up, Elder David Irish, whose name is embalmed among the churches in that part of this State, objected to the call. How could a man be called to preach without severe trials? But the venerable Elder Warren replied, addressing himself to the objector: "The difference between the call of the candidate and yours and mine, is this. He heard the call and like an obedient son, immediately obeyed. We heard, but were disobedient. Like Jonah, we fled; but we were followed and chastised, and whipped into the traces with much difficulty. Now shall we object because the candidate was not as stubborn as we were?" The objections were waived and the candidate ordained. Yours fraternally,

H. J. EDDY.

Whatever duties God requires of us, we should willingly perform. It is wrong to contend against God until we are actually COMPELLED to submit.