... Saving a Soul from Death, James v, 20 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 77 ... ... 194 FIF THE LAY PREACHER. OUR FIFTEENTH YEAR. IFTEEN years ago the first number of the LAY PREACHER was issued under the editorship of the Rev. JOHN BATE, a Wesleyan Minister, whose name has since become widely and favourably known beyond the limits of his own denomination as the author of several useful and practical works. During all these years, amid varying fortunes, and under several different managers, this periodical has steadily adhered to its original purpose, namely, to afford help to members of that large and laborious class of men who, without being altogether set aside for the work of the ministry, devote themselves week by week to the task of preaching the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. "The Lay or Local Preacher," said Mr. Bate in the opening article of his first number, "is far from being the least part in the Church of Christ. We would not unduly exalt him, nor would we have him brought an inch below his proper level. We would have him occupy his own place, in which he will revolve in the system most smoothly, most pleasantly, most effectively, and most in harmony with every other part to which he stands related." To promote this most desirable end the proprietor of the LAY PREACHER laid himself out, during several years, to provide a copious supply of plain and suggestive homiletical material, suitable more particularly for the use of those whose educational advantages have not been great, and whose opportunities for obtaining access to books are slight. It is on similar lines to those laid down fifteen years ago that we have desired to travel since the magazine came into our hands, and the only difference we have endeavoured to make is to extend somewhat the sphere of its influence. In its earlier days the LAY PREACHER naturally appealed chiefly, if not exclusively, to a constituency connected with the Wesleyan Methodist body. We have striven to adapt its contents alike to local preachers connected with that large and influential body, and to laymen of other sections of the Church of Christ who are engaged in similar work. In commencing the fifteenth volume we venture to renew our appeal to every reader to help us in the matter of extending our circulation. We cannot disguise from ourselves the fact that some persons have ceased to subscribe for the LAY PREACHER, and to take an interest in its fortunes, simply because its Editor does not belong to a particular denomination. That narrow-mindedness is not yet extinct all must |