PREFACEЕ.

THIS little work pleads for the notice of parents and teachers on the same grounds as its predecessor, "Near Home."

Its plea is not completeness, nor comprehensiveness, nor depth of research, nor splendour of description; but the very reverse,—its simple, superficial, desultory character, as better adapted to the volatile beings for whom it is designed.

Too long have their immortal minds been captivated by the adventures and achievements of knights and princesses, of fairies and magicians; it is time to excite their interest in real persons, and real events. In childhood that taste is formed which leads the youth to delight in novels, and romances; a taste which has become so general, that every town has its circulating library, and every shelf in that library is filled with works of fiction.

While these fascinating inventions are in

course of perusal, many a Bible is unopened, or if opened, hastily skimmed; many a seat in church is unoccupied, or if occupied, the service, and the sermon disregarded-so intense is the sympathy of the novel reader with his hero, or his heroine.

And what is the effect of the perusal? Many a young mind, inflated with a desire for admiration and adventure, grows tired of home, impatient of restraint, indifferent to simple pleasures, and averse to sacred instructions. How important, therefore, early to endeavour to prevent a taste for FICTION, by cherishing a taste for FACTS.

But this is not the only aim of the present work; it seeks also to excite an interest in those facts which ought most to interest immortal beings-facts relative to souls, and their eternal happiness-to God, and his infinite glory.

THESE are the facts which engage the attention of the inhabitants of heaven. We know not whether the births of princes, and the coronations of monarchs are noticed by the angelic hosts; but we do know that the repentance of a sinner, be he Hindoo or Hottentot, is celebrated by their melodious voices in rapturous symphonies.

Therefore "Far Off" desires to interest its little readers in the labours of missionaries,

men despised and maligned by the world, but honoured and beloved by the SAVIOUR of the world. An account of the scenery and natives of various countries, is calculated to prepare the young mind for reading with intelligence those little Missionary Magazines, which appear every month, written in so attractive a style, and adorned with such beautiful illustrations.* Parents have no longer reason to complain of the difficulty of finding sacred entertainment for their children on Sunday, for these pleasing messengers,-if carefully dealt out,-one or two on each Sabbath, would afford a never failing supply.

To form great and good characters, the mind must be trained to delight in TRUTH,—not in comic rhymes, in sentimental tales, and sceptical poetry. The truths revealed in God's Holy Word, should constitute the firm basis of education; and the works of Creation and Providence the superstructure, while the Divine blessing can alone rear and cement the edifice.

*The titles of some of the principal are,—
"Church Missionary Juvenile Instructor."
"Missionary Repository for Youth."
"Juvenile Missionary Magazine."

"Juvenile Missionary Herald."

"Children's Missionary Newspaper."

"Church Missionary Gleaner," (the last is suitable also for adults.

Parents, train up your children to serve God, and to enjoy his presence for ever; and if there be amongst them-an EXTRAORDINARY child, train him up with extraordinary care, lest instead of doing extraordinary good he should do extraordinary evil, and be plunged into extraordinary misery.

Train up-the child of imagination-not to dazzle, like Byron, but to enlighten, like Cowper; the child of wit-not to create profane mirth, like Voltaire, but to promote holy joy, like Bunyan the child of reflection-not to weave dangerous sophistries, like Hume, but to wield powerful arguments, like Chalmers: the child of sagacity-not to gain advantages for himself, like Cromwell, but for his country, like Washington: the child of eloquence-not to astonish the multitude, like Sheridan, but to plead for the miserable, like Wilberforce: the child of ardour -not to be the herald of delusions, like Swedenbourg, but to be the champion of truth, like Luther the child of enterprise-not to devastate a Continent, like the conquering Napoleon, but to scatter blessings over an Ocean, like the missionary Williams:-and if the child be a prince,―train him up-not to reign in pomp and pride like the fourteenth Louis, but to rule in the fear of God, like our own great ALFRED.