I have already in the May issue of the Magazine called attention to the fact that it has now entered on its 40th year. During that time its circulation has gradually increased. The Magazine has gone beyond the borders of Scotland and found not only interested but appreciative readers in other lands as our correspondence indicates. While it is gratifying to know that it has readers beyond the pale of the Free Presbyterian Church we never forget that it is the organ of the Free Presbyterian Church and that it is not the exponent of any individual’s opinions.
It remains for me to end with the pleasant duty of tendering my thanks to all those who in any way lightened the editorial labours during the year. In a standard expository work on the Pilgrims Progress there is a number of persons classified under the category of Helpers and it struck me in reading about them what a noble band they were and at times how little they knew how encouraging their kindly help was to the pilgrims. One helped in this way and another helped in another and so cheered and encouraged the pilgrims. I, too, have had such helpers and I feel grateful to them all—to the ministers who sent sermons and other matter—to the missionaries who sent extracts from books they were reading—to those who were diligent in their efforts to circulate the Magazine, one good friend going the length of advertising it in quite a number of English religious papers with considerable success—and to the large number who sent me newspapers, religious periodicals, and extracts from religious books. I regret I was not able to make use of all these but only of some. We would need a Magazine double the size to give them all a place. In making a selection it is possible that some of those who sent such contributions may have a very poor opinion of the editorial discernment as far as literary contributions are concerned. It is to be hoped, however, that they will continue this much appreciated service and if what they send does not appear that they will exercise a kindly feeling towards the editor and remember that he has the frailty of the race to which he belongs. I may be permitted to inform this class of helpers who send extracts that the fruit of their work is not consigned to the waste paper basket but kept in hand for a rainy day.
I have also to thank those who kindly sent me translations into Gaelic of pieces that appealed to them in their reading. These translations gave variety to the Gaelic appearing in the Magazine.
The financial aspect of the Magazine is sound. Owing to the change of the date of the ending of the Magazine’s financial year there is an apparent deficit as was anticipated when the change was made; it is to be hoped that this will be rectified for next year—in fact the Treasurer informs me that at the end of April the balance to credit is almost as good as last year’s. A copy of the Magazine Financial Statement is audited by the Church’s auditors yearly and copies are sent to all the members of the Magazine Committee and is herewith submitted to members of Synod for inspection.
I submit this Report at the beginning of the fortieth year of the Magazine’s existence for the Synod’s approval accompanied with the prayer that the God whom we all profess to serve may bless its message in the future as we know He has done in many cases in the past. We crave the prayers of God’s people for a blessing on our editorial labours and on the sermons and articles appearing in the Magazine.