OF COMBAT WITH SIN & LABOR FOR THELORD. EDITED BY C. H, SPURGEON 1865. “They which builded on the wall, and they that bear burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so he builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.”—Nehemiah 4:17,18.

PREFACE.

COURTEOUS READER, Whoever thinks a magazine worth the reading so soon as the month of its issue is over? Most people reckon it a waste of money to bind up magazines. “Every dog has his day,” and every magazine its month. Well, friend, we agree with you and the world in general on this point, if it be conceded that the rule has exceptions, and if in the second place you will do us the favor to see if this volume is not one of them. The excellent Case which we have prepared for binding shows that we are vain enough to hope to outlive the present date. (Cases for binding can be had of the Publishers for 1s. 3d, or the volume bound for 4s. 6d.)

Our matter, for the most part, belongs not to 1865 alone, but to all time, and is of the kind which never grows stale; and wherein we chronicle work peculiar to a certain year, the record may stimulate you to do the like in the time now current. Read our pages therefore, without prejudice, because they were issued periodically in a monthly serial.

SUBSCRIBERS AND FRIENDS, We have striven to do the Lord’s work to the best of our ability, and now we dedicate the year’s volume to His service. Some good, to our knowledge, has been already achieved by its monthly issue; sympathy has been enlisted for Christian enterprises, and assistance has been received for holy work; saints have been cheered, workers animated, warriors armed, and learners trained. Foes have felt the sword far more than they would care to confess, and friends have seen the work of the trowel on the walls of Zion to their joy and rejoicing. It is little that we can accomplish, but for that little we are devoutly grateful, and desire to ascribe it all to Him who works all our works in us.

Thanks are due to able contributors for most valuable aid; to industrious friends for soliciting new subscribers; to the ten thousand who regularly support us; and to all who have in any way aided our endeavors. We hope to improve the magazine next year, so far as our means will allow, but apart from an increased sale we cannot do this without curtailing the proceeds which will accrue to the College; which proceeds are all the smaller because we already give as much for money as can possibly be afforded. We will do our best if friends will do theirs. We will furbish the sword and scour the trowel, and use both with our best skill. Meanwhile, to all friends we wish in the best sense, AMERRY CHRISTMAS AND A