THE FOLLOWING ARE THE NAMES OF CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS VOLUME OF THE BAPTIST MAGAZINE:— Acworth, Rev. Dr. Kitchen, Rev. W. Culross, Rev. J. Freeman, J., Esq. Govett, Mr. R. Katterns, Rev. D. Keed, Rev. J. Lafleur, Rev. T. Leonard, Rev. C. H. Peto, Sir S. M., Bart, M.P. Poole, Mr. T. Roberts, Rev. R. H. Rogers, Rev. G. Watson, W. H., Esq. Waylen, J., Esq. Wearing, W. B., Esq. Wenger, Rev. J. Weymouth, R. F., Esq. Wilkin, Miss. Wood, Rev. J. H. Wylie, Rev. W. H. The Reviews have been supplied by Twelve different Writers. THE BAPTIST MAGAZINE. JANUARY, 1861. COURAGE FOR THE UNTRODDEN PATH; OR, ENCOURAGEMENT FOR CHRISTIANS, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG. BY THE REV. W. BROCK. THE Israelites had come to one of the most hazardous positions of their memorable journey. They were close to the river Jordan, over which they would have before long to pass. Joshua said to them, as they were musing on this obstacle to their progress, "You have not passed this way heretofore" (Joshua iii. 4). They had encountered many difficulties of many kinds, but not one of this kind. Their present necessity was altogether strange. Resources, however, were within their reach. Jehovah would again be their guide and their deliverer. Experience might induce and encourage hope. The ark of the covenant, which had been the symbol of the Divine presence and the indication of the Divine will so many times before, would be the same unto the end. As their day so would their strength be. They were told how they might obtain the direction and the help which they required. "When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then shall you remove from your place, and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure; come not near unto it, that you may know the way by which you must go." They were to keep their eyes well upon the goings of their God and their King; and, that they might do this the more effectively, they were to let a prescribed distance intervene. They did as they were told: and the result was, their safe conduct across the Jordan, and their gathering around the ark on the other side to testify their gratitude to the Lord Most High. He had adapted his mercy to their emergency, and had renewed his former loving-kindness according to his word. Though they had not passed that way heretofore, they were enabled to pass it in safety. Their extremity was their Father's opportunity for making bare his arm on their behalf. We have often to pass along new and untried ways. As the new year opens on us we may be specially conscious of the fact. It strikes us. VOL. V.-NEW SERIES. 1. We wonder what the year will bring forth. How shall we do if such and such things come to pass? The trial may be unprecedented, and the necessity extreme. Let us all be of good courage. We have not the ark of the covenant to look to; but we have, in our Bibles, the teaching of our Father's will, and we have a gracious Mediator in Jesus Christ, and we have the promise of the Holy Spirit, the comforter and the guide. Permission is given us to come boldly unto the throne of grace, on purpose that we may obtain grace to help in time of need. We have only to keep ourselves in the position from which we can best ascertain the teaching of the Lord; and then, whatever the novelty or the strangeness of the way we have to pass, we shall pass it, and pass it well. HUMAN LIFE. SOME ARE COMING INTO THE EARLIER ACTIVE INTERCOURSE OF Hitherto, perhaps, you have been much at home, amidst comparative seclusion and quiet. Your immediate relatives have been your principal companions, and you may have been educated either within or near to your father's house. But there is to be a change soon. You are to go away to live with other persons: to do very different things to endure what will sorely try you, or to enjoy what you will exceedingly like. You cannot anticipate the change without solicitude. You think of it, I dare say, until you are downright sad. Everything will be so new to you-companions, occupations, temptations, circumstances altogether. There is uncertainty about it all. You feel that you have not passed this way heretofore, and you are afraid. Let me prevail on you not to be afraid. Only put your trust in your kind Father who is in heaven, and you will pass it well. Read your Bible carefully; offer up your prayers constantly; think about Jesus gratefully; expect the Divine blessing confidently, and you will do. There is no uncertainty about your future to your gracious Guardian; no ignorance of the things that will happen to you; no forgetfulness of the assistance that you will want. An eye far more affectionate and vigilant than your mother's will watch you, and an arm infinitely more powerful and active than your father's will defend you. In all your ways acknowledge God, and he will direct your steps. Be not afraid: only believe. SOME ARE ABOUT TO TAKE THEIR PLACES IN THE PUBLIC AND GENERAL ENGAGEMENTS OF SOCIETY. You are entering business in the city or elsewhere. Situations have been found for you in one or other of our professions or trades. London life-that great embodiment and incarnation of all the moral and immoral forces we are acquainted withis to be henceforth your life. You will now have to do its work, to bear its trials, to resist its evils, to undergo and to survive the fierce ordeal to which it will assuredly submit every element there may be within you of purity, and integrity, and truth. It may not come upon you all at once, but by degrees you will find yourselves under weighty obligations, and amidst manifold perplexities, and in slippery places. The prospect has more than once discomforted, if not disheartened you. You mean to be the honourable man in all respects. There are some |