THE circulation of the Magazine, I am pleased to report, again shows an increase. We are now printing 3400 copies per month—a hundred per month increase on last year. As in former years, we are gratified in receiving letters from friends who highly appreciate our Magazine though unconnected with us as a Church. This appreciation is also shown in printing articles from its pages in religious periodicals in America, England, and Ireland. Its message is carried to all parts of the world, to the lonely settlements in the new countries of the Empire where the youth of our land are seeking their fortunes far away from home and the worship they were accustomed to in the land of their fathers, as well as to the great industrial centres in the home country and abroad. We at home can scarcely realise how much appreciated such a link with home is to the emigrant, and we would respectfully advise parents to use this means of keeping their offspring in touch with what is going on at home in the Church in which they were reared.
We had hoped that there would have been a reduction in postal charges in last Budget, but as such has not been the case the Committee cannot carry out their long cherished hope of increasing the size of the Magazine, as by so doing the postage would be doubled.
In conducting the Magazine it has been the editorial policy since its inception to supply monthly, not only material from the pens of the living, but also to give extracts from the writings of those who have joined the Church triumphant. This policy, we know, meets with the approval of most of our readers, though we are sometimes made cognisant of the fact that some have a greater preference for the old, while others have a greater preference for the new. As in former reports, we would be encouraged in our editorial work if some of our ministerial brethren would contribute articles to
the Magazine and occasionally supply a sermon. It is the men who have most work on hand that have been most helpful in this direction. We are often asked to write on certain subjects, but with the best will in the world to oblige, it is often impossible to accede to the request. When such requests come from our ministerial brethren they invariably receive a short editorial note asking them to write something on the subject themselves.
As Editor, I have to thank all those who have given help during the year, either in sending original contributions, newspaper cuttings, or extracts from books. All such help is highly appreciated. Thanks is also due to the Rev. N. Cameron for superintending the Gaelic section in the Magazine.
I am asked by the Committee to suggest that the same payments be made this year as last to the Editor and the Treasurer of the Magazine.