My Dear Young Fellow-Christians:

I have for a long time had a desire to keep up the happy intercourse we have had together-many of us-in various places and at various times. These have been very bright spots in my life, when I could look into your young, earnest faces at the "Young Peoples' Meetings," and when I have sought to give you what help I could from my own experience in the Christian life, and from the study of God's Word.

We who have been a little longer on the way ought surely to have something to say to those younger in the faith. It would be a shame to us if we had not learned some important things that it would help you to know – some rich treasures of truth from God's precious Word, some cheering thoughts as to prayer, some useful methods of study, some helpful hints as to work for the Lord, some warnings from the mistakes we have made, and which we hope you will avoid.

Surely there is a great deal to talk about, without taking any high place above you, but just letting our hearts express the deep and loving interest we have in you. One can do this, I think, without losing that happy spirit of comradeship which I am sure we feel toward one another.

So I trust it will be pleasing to the Lord if I undertake this little department especially for young Christians, in the pages of help and food, so kindly opened to me by the Editor. The Lord loves that His people have intercourse with one another in His things; this is my reason for making this attempt.

I am speaking to you as if I knew you all personally -as I am thankful to say I do many of you. I
count it one of my choice pleasures that I do know you, and I want in these pages, month by month, to widen that happy circle of acquaintance to an indefinite extent, as large as is practicable.

Years ago, when most of you were very little children, it was my privilege to begin the " Letter Box " for Sunday-school scholars, which is still carried on in the S. S. Visitor. It is my hope to make this a sort of older Letter Box, in which we can carry on the work begun there into wider fields, with much more detail and method.

The present is only a very informal and introductory address, to awaken your interest and secure your cooperation. Let it be understood at once that it is not meant to displace or interfere with any other line of work among us, rather to help such.

Let me, first of all, ask your prayers that our God and Father will make these pages a real blessing to very many, stirring up faith and love, promoting diligent study of His Word, and quiet efficiency in His service, together with the happy and helpful fellowship that belongs to such employment.

I shall put before you a brief outline of the general objects of this Department, and shall be very glad of any suggestions that any of you may have to offer. This means that letters will be welcome, both of inquiry and of suggestion. We shall probably have a " Question Box," which will be at your service.
As brevity is to be one of our fundamental principles, I must bring this introductory letter to a close, with much prayer that our God and Father may give you, and all His beloved people, a fuller knowledge of, and a deeper joy in, the precious Word of Christ.

Very affectionately yours in Christ our Lord,

S. R.