THE
CHINESE REPOSITORY.
Vol. XV.—January, 1846.—No. 1.
Canton, January 1st, 1846. To all our readers, near and remote, friends and strangers, we wish a happy new year. To the great Author of the innumerable blessings that have crowned the past, we would join with the people of all lands in ascriptions of praise and thanksgiving and in humbly supplicating their continuance. During the last year peace and prosperity, with very limited exceptions, have prevailed throughout the whole world. The opening prospects of the new year, in China, are fairer than we have ever before known them. But they are not cloudless. There are here so many things which are politically and morally wrong, that troublous commotions seem inevitable. Our confidence is in Him who ruleth over the nations, and who can say to the people, as to the waves, thus far shalt thou come. Old foundations will doubtless be broken up, and revolutions come, and with more or less violence. In such circumstances, it is, on every account, in the highest degree desirable that foreigners, especially those who reside in this country, should know the language of the Chinese, understand their laws, manners, customs, wants, prejudices,—in a word, every thing that pertains to the people and their country. We shall rejoice if we can, in any way, aid others in supplying these desiderata. Four hundred millions of people are to receive the religion which is from above, with the accompaniments of Christian civilization. The arts and sciences are here to receive a new cast, and friendly relations and commerce to be greatly extended and improved.
