That subjects of a pernicious nature and tendency sometimes obtrude themselves on the notice of the Editor, under this cover of darkness, may very readily be conceived; but it is his business, standing as a centinel at the doors of his pages, to see that nothing improper is permitted to enter. How far in these respects he has discharged his duty, may be best known by an appeal to the EIGHT VOLUMES of the IMPERIAL MAGAZINE which are now before the world. On these he looks back without personal remorse, and without having his recollections imbittered by any complaints from his numerous readers. The same liberal integrity which has thus far been his guide, will, he hopes, be his future companion, while arranging the diversified articles he may have the honour of submitting to the public eye. The tide which a few years since ran high in favour of infidelity, has of late experienced a considerable ebb; but irreligion has still its advocates, and genuine piety its foes in the same individual characters. To prosecute their unhallowed warfare, vulgar ribaldry, refined profligacy, and philosophical pride unite their powers, but it is only in the region of animal sensuality and mental libertinism that the standard of licentiousness is permanently reared. Of this moral Simoom, it is indeed to be lamented, that many nominal Christians, of little knowledge, and of weak judgments, who want fortitude to bear sarcasm, and courage to avow their own convictions, feel the withering influence. But while such characters are entitled to compassion, they cannot expect that the real friends of virtue and moral worth should compromise the rectitude of principle, to furnish their infirmities with an accommodation. In this polluted atmosphere all who espouse the cause of unadulterated Christianity, anticipate reproach; but the opprobrious epithets of Enthusiasts, Fanatics, Methodists, and Saints, with which they are stigmatized, like the weapon of aged Priam, either fall short of their mark, or only tinkle on the shield. In the momentous cause of unsophisticated truth, the IMPERIAL MAGAZINE is engaged. Here it originally took its stand; and this uninverted pyramid, having furnished it with ample support amidst the storms and earthquakes that have convulsed the literary world, by still forming the basis on which it rests, affords a pleasing presage of its future prosperity. 969 Genius, essay on, --, reply to a query on the, Burning of a Jew in Spain, Butterworth, Joseph, Esq. death of, ... 779 Geology, analysis of, 159, 247,334, 425, 441 977 541,650,745, 809,876, 907, 1022, 1114 Gifford, Robert Baron, memoir of, Gleanings, 105, 204, 301, 396, 491,588, 1098 476 566 .... 731 Christian husband and christian wife,.. code, superiority of the, Christianity, superior excellency of, 358 895 Civilization and barbarism contrasted, 101 Clarke, Rev. E. D. memoir of,.... 785, Clement, bishop of Rome, death of,... 951 Comet of 1825, observations on the, 270 Colonial produce, abstinence from,.... 1015 Commercial retrospect for the past year, Common sense, importance of, .. 111 927 61 91 541 632 45 "Good," observations on the term, Gen. i. 197 Goodwin Sands, account of the, Gold and silver in their native states,.. Gorthmund, a Saxon poem,.. Gospel, dignity and perfection of the,.. Greek Testament, on the study of the,. 527 Gretna Green, marriages at, .... 726 H. HALF an hour, the importance of, .... 1028 Hall, Rev. R. extracts from the writings of,-see Aphorisms. 69, 190 Consolation in adversity, 537 Hawaii, description of the volcano in,. 373 Hebrew tale, 482 History of Lucy Mar, 774 Contingency, the meaning of, 326 reflections on the use of, 801 |