PREFACE. NINE years have nearly elapsed since the Committee of the Sunday School Union were informed that the usual monthly issue of "THE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS' MAGAZINE" had not taken place, and that it was probable the publication of it would not be resumed. The effect of this untoward event appeared very favourable to the increased circulation of the "UNION MAGAZINE," the official organ of the Union, and, therefore, commercially, there seemed to be no reason for interference. But the Committee remembered that this Periodical originated with members of their own body-that it had been conducted successively by their much loved and respected friends William Freeman Lloyd and Henry Althans; and they believed that although other publications of a similar character had sprung up and the want which that alone had formerly supplied was now abundantly met, yet that it had still a strong hold on the affection of Teachers, and that its discontinuance would be felt to be an injury to the cause of Sunday School instruction. Under the influence of these feelings, the Committee stepped forward to the rescue; the publication of the Magazine was resumed, and has been ever since continued. It is trusted that the Nine Volumes which have appeared under their auspices have aided Teachers in their work, and that they contain many articles of permanent value, which may still be read with great advantage. As the "UNION MAGAZINE" had been for some years employed with great usefulness and success in making known the objects and efforts of the Sunday School Union, and in the assistance of Teachers in their specific preparation from week to week for their class-duties, it was thought desirable that the "TEACHERS' MAGAZINE" should principally contain articles calculated to encourage and carry on a more general preparation of Teachers for their work, and such has been the object of the respective Editors. |