THE Present Volume of FAITHFUL WORDS is the twenty-first that has been Presented to its readers. Twenty-one years of Christian effort on one line is a long period, and most sincerely thankful are all who have combined to issue the Magazine that God has permitted it so long an existence.
While keeping to one line, the Editor has sought to avoid sameness in each succeeding number, and the variety of correspondents who have contributed to its gages, month by month, have maintained its originality; for though the stories told have had all of them but one object, yet each has been a record of what the narrator, either experienced or saw, and, therefore, has been fresh. The gracious story of God's grace must ever and always be fresh to the hearts of those who love it; while speaking of Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever, is unvaryingly a new delight.
The present Volume concludes a series. We think it well and wise to bring-FAITHFUL WORDS in its present form to an end, regarding this as the best mode of expressing our thankfulness that our Magazine has lived to be of age. It is a great pleasure to leave of when done. However, we propose a new life in a slightly different form next year, and beginning is certainly a greater pleasure than ending. Our Magazine will continue to live as long as God permits, under the old name of FAITHFUL WORDS.
As we close this series, we recall the many dear, good and kind helpers who can work no more: they have entered into their rest. Also, the very many of our readers who during twenty-one years have passed out of time into eternity. It is a matter for sincere gratitude to God that we have such a large number of testimonies from rich and par, from hale and sick, of our Magazine being to them either a comfort, or a means of peace-giving, or of arousing.
Our readers would do well to procure the Volumes which are still in print. The earlier Volumes of the series are no longer to be had.