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THE

BAPTIST REPORTER,

AND

MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCER.

NEW SERIES, VOL. XIII. WHOLE SERIES, VOL. XXX.

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EDITORIAL ANNUAL ADDRESS.

Our readers will perceive that this number completes the Thirtieth Volume of this periodical. The Editor hopes he may be permitted, without exposing himself to the charge of self-laudation, to refer to the remarkable fact, that these thirty volumes have all been prepared, printed, and published, by the same individual; and that during this extended period, nearly half his own life-time, no single monthly issue has failed to appear in due course. This could not have been accomplished-no one is more sensible of this than himself—but through Divine favour, in preserving to him the use of his mental and physical faculties. To Divine goodness, therefore, be all the praise!

with new,

During this long period how many of our early contributors have passed away! A few of these yet remain; and when we recognize their well-known signatures, we feel cheered and encouraged. And then when we look back and remember how, from year to year, the places of the departed were filled up and, in some cases, more vigorous correspondents, and that up to the completion of this, the thirtieth volume, we continue to enjoy the confidence of an extensive circle of attached friends as our monthly list of correspondents testifies we feel invigorated to renew our labours, and continue in them until we receive from Him we serve unequivocal intimations that we must lay down our pen, and resign our task to other, and, we hope, more competent hands.

So long, however, as Providence permits, we shall be found at our post. And we think we may indulge the hope that our long experience in this peculiar department, will enable us to make such improvements, from time to time, as

may be deemed desirable.

It may not be amiss to remind our readers that throughout this lengthened period we have, we believe, faithfully adhered to the principles we first adoptedof reporting impartially the proceedings of evangelical baptists.

A cheap monthly publication of this character was, thirty years ago, a thing to be desired, and a novelty. The larger periodicals of the body were too expensive for many of the laborious classes in our churches and congregations, and their literary character was often beyond their power of comprehension. Something cheaper, and more adapted to the capacities of such persons, appeared to

be desirable.

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