PREFACE.

IN presenting the public with the second volume of the "CHRISTIAN KEEPSAKE, AND MISSIONARY ANNUAL," it may not be improper to remark, that the Editor was induced at the commencement of this enterprise, to add to his numerous heavy professional duties the charge of this work, from the conviction that an Annual of this sort was a great desideratum in the literature of this country, and might be made the medium of great and extended good. It was not a part of his plan to present a semi, but a thoroughly religious Annual, whose pages should be adorned with the choicest flowers of literature, which, while they would attract, would also regale the reader both by their beauty and fragrance.

It has long been the opinion of the Editor that there is no uncongeniality between the highest aspirations of genius and the most profound love of God-between the most exquisite relish for the beauties of nature, the charms of literature, and the attractions of the Fine Arts, and the most simple and devoted attachment to all that is spiritual and life-giving in religion. It has long been his opinion that it would prove one of the happiest means of extending a holy and regenerating influence through this world of sin, to combine as much as possible with the literature of the land, and with all that is ornamental, and sweet, and graceful in the Fine Arts, the hallowing and sanctifying influence of EVANGELICAL RELIGION. He would write HOLINESS TO THE LORD, under all that is beautiful and picturesque-majestic and sublime in nature-under all that is exquisite and transcend

ent in art. He would have every garland and chaplet which the literature of the country weaves, composed of the fragrant leaves of the tree of life. Then would there forth from every field of elegant literature a holy and heavenly influence.

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To produce a volume in the style and spirit we have described, suitable for a holiday present, both attractive and instructive to the young-elevating and refining their intellectual taste, and drawing their hearts towards the divine Redeemer was the object for which this work was undertaken. The Editor is aware that he should have utterly failed in carrying out this design had he not been kindly aided by some of the most distinguished literary and religious names both in this country and in England. The contributions of these friends have, it is believed, fully sustained the work. The manner in which the first volume was received, leads the Editor to hope that this was the impression of the public. The belief is entertained that the present volume will be found no way inferior to its predecessor, either in Christian spirit, or in literary or mechanical execution. J. A. C.