tinued) RELATION TO THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS Tallack-J. Fyfe Stewart ( THE CHURCH IN MADAGASCAR WILLIAM COWPER.-PART II. ALEXANDER JAFFRAY ... THE FRIENDS' QUARTERLY EXAMINER. A Religious, Social, & Miscellaneous Review. No. XLV.-FIRST MONTH, 1878. N.B.-The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions expressed in any article bearing the signature of the writer. EDITORIAL. ELEVEN years have elapsed since we had the gratification, not unmingled with anxiety, of launching upon the literary sea the first number of the Friends' Quarterly Examiner, and now for the twelfth time we have the pleasant task of addressing our readers and contributors at the opening of a fresh year. Another 600 pages have been added to the 6,000 that have preceded them, and we trust the present number will not be thought inferior to its predecessors, either in the earnestness of its writers, in the importance of the subjects discussed, or in the interest of its lighter articles. With so great a variety of tastes to satisfy, we strongly feel the desirability of a great variety of writers to cater for them; and so long as this spontaneity in writing is maintained vigorously by a widely-spread class of literary contributors, we doubt not our quarterly issue will be received and read with undiminished interest. B We are pleased to record the fact that another year has passed by without the infliction upon our readers of a "deficient" number, caused by lack of literary material. To relate the "hairbreadth escapes" from this catastrophe might we fear possibly enlist on our behalf more of a feeling of humorous congratulation than of responsive sympathy; and having reached the forty-fifth number without a single break, it will probably be unwise now loudly to raise the cry of "Wolf!" lest it should not be believed in. And yet it might not be in vain to lift for a moment the curtain which hides the Editorial drawer, and which, with quarterly pertinacity, encompasses the Editorial mind in relation to provision for the future needs of our readers. How singular are the fears and cares of literary existence in a periodical volume. But a few short months ago, and the blank feelings of the Editor in reference to No. XLIV. were equalled only by the blank pages which it appeared probable would have to represent in our columns the minds of absent writers upon whom we had confidently leaned for help. "Safe as the Bank" was the epithet in our mind concerning the promised MSS.; but alas! the old excuse of "unexpectedly prevented," which has by custom become an admissible reason for the absence of representatives at Quarterly or Monthly Meetings, has been transferred into our more select circle, and if only pleaded at the last moment, the filling up of the gap by Editorial effort becomes impracticable. Not seldom, however, has it occurred in this strait, that some unknown contributor has summoned resolution to send a first essay, which has been inserted not less for its value than for its opportuneness. We would allude to these facts not too reproachfully to the delinquents, but as an incentive to those who have something ready (but which has hitherto been kept back by an unwise modesty,) to forward it for perusal, and for insertion if approved. But notwithstanding these occasional drawbacks we feel that the post of Editor to a periodical which circulates so widely amongst the Society of Friends is one of no slight interest and value. Through it we have been brought into contact with many minds of whose existence we should otherwise have been ignorant, and whose friendship has been highly prized. Twelve years' Editorial service has accomplished for us so much personal gain in these respects that we may fairly hold it out as an incentive to some other (though at present unknown) Friend who is, we trust, preparing to fill the post. We cannot yet place our hand "the coming man," but if he should unconsciously read these lines we hope they may inspire him with a hearty zeal and fervent aspirations to accept before long the Editorial pen. It is said that "the right man is ever found at the right occasion," and we now leave this part of the subject, trusting for its future development into a joyful reality. upon Before closing the personal portion of our remarks we must take the liberty of again extending a warm New Year's greeting alike to Readers and Contributors. We have oftimes alluded to the pleasant tie which, halfunconsciously, binds writer to reader in these pages, and which, we rejoice in believing, is in many instances reciprocal. It is, therefore, not as a mere formal act, but with a real sense of its signification, that we wish heartily for each of our subscribers that "happy new year" which can be known, and can only be known, by those who go forth into the unknown future with a calm trust in God's providence, and the sweet assurance that He will "order all things well" unto such as keep His covenant and delight in His law. That all may be of the number who increasingly feel the joy and peace of a life thus sanctified, and freed from the oppression of earth's carking cares by the knowledge that their Heavenly Father ruleth over all, is our very earnest desire and hope. When addressing our readers at this time last year we were under the dread of a possible war in the East, and before many months had passed by, Europe saw two populous nations horribly equipped for war, and soon afterwards engaged in a strife which-for the vastness of its material, the number engaged, the inhuman cruelties inflicted, and the myriads of human beings slaughtered and death-stricken-has scarcely had a parallel in history. How affecting is the thought that close to the land where, long ages ago, the sweet music of the angelic hymn resounded over Bethlehem's plains at this season of the year, there is now nothing but the strife of tongues, the crash of battle, and all the "dreary noises" with which Earth seems filled! How feebly, alas! is the sweet teaching of the heavenly Host responded to by the potentates of professedly Christian countries, and the dawn deferred of that long-hoped-for day in which its holy and righteous notes shall prevail, hushing to peace the people and the rulers of the nations. It is not possible in a few words to sum up the causes of the war, and the conduct of this country in relation to it. Suffice it here to say that whilst on the one hand, it is fiercely contended that Russia has been urged on by our neutrality, and, on the other that Turkey has been stimulated to resist by false hopes of England's intervention, the heart of the people of this country has been sound, and we have thus far happily succeeded in keeping out of the tangled meshes of diplomatic interference. Had this country given a more united and certain sound after the efforts of Lord Salisbury were totally rejected by Turkey, and boldly showed that any idea of our siding with her was utterly hopeless, Turkey might not have |