The present number closes the first volume of the Quarterly. We take deep pleasure in presenting, on its final page, our profound thanks to a merciful Father, who has kept and sustained us through the year, and brought us to so happy a termination of its labors. Our only regret is, that our humble work is not more worthy of his approving smiles.
Of the contents of the volume we shall not speak. They are now in the hands of a discriminating brotherhood, who will, we trust, make the disposition of them which they merit. We wish these contents were better; still we are glad they are not worse. We have aimed to speak in the fear of God and for the good of his cause. Our conscience is, hence, clear.
Of the circulation of the work we certainly speak with regret. It has not been what we hoped it would be; and yet we think our expectations were not extravagant. We hoped that our subscription list would count, by the end of the year, three thousand names; yet it now lacks thirteen hundred of that number. How shall we account for this? Our brethren are now subscribing as numerously for papers as at any former period in our history; and, as far as heard from, they have spoken in warm and most complimentary terms of the Quarterly. Why, then, has its circulation not been greater? We believe the reason to be simply this: the brethren have taken for granted that the work would succeed. Hence they have not worked for it, as we believe they otherwise would have done. But the year is now gone, and regrets are idle.
Will you, then, brethren, work for the Quarterly next year? With the present subscription list it cannot be sustained. That list you can double with almost no exertion on your part. Let me confide in you to make the effort. In hope, I ask every saint into whose hands this number may come, to obtain and forward as large a list of subscribers as he possibly can. Do this at once.
Of the first volume thirteen hundred are left on hand. Will not brethren who take the second volume, also, order the first, till they have exhausted this remaining stock. Its value is not affected by age, and many, we hope, will want it from the beginning. Four dollars will procure the work for the last year and for the next.
To the noble brethren who have enriched the pages of the Quarterly with their gratuitous contributions, I hereby tender my heart-warm thanks. Were it in my power, their labors should be acknowledged in a more substantial way. [448]
[Volume I: June, 1864]
Go to Close of Volume Second.
Return to Lard’s Quarterly index.