Irish Chronicle. IT is delightful to observe the progress of education in Ireland, within the last eight or nine years. When the London Hibernian Society was first established, Ireland, as to the actual condition of its peasantry, was as unknown to England as are the villagers of China now. In 1814, the plan of that Society was altered, and the Baptist Irish Society, and the Irish Evangelical Society, were established; and from that period great and continued efforts have been made for extending the means of instruction, both by Schools, by reading the Scriptures, and by preaching the Gospel both in the Irish and English languages. These exertions in England on behalf of Ireland, have stirred up Christians in Dublin to rouse themselves, and to run with their brethren in England the race of charity and christian zeal. Of this No. I. affords full proof. It is pleasing to find too, that the humble labours of our own Society begin to attract the notice of Christians in America. [See No. II.] In a letter received by the Secretary from the Rev. D. Sharpe of Boston, he is informed, that the Baptist ministers there would have gladly promoted a subscription among the Irish settlers in America, on behalf of the Schools; but that the higher classes of Irish in America were in general Roman Catholics, who would take no interest in our proceedings; and that the major part were in similar circumstances with those whom in Ireland we were attempting to relieve. It affords encouragement to the Committee to know that their efforts meet the approbation of all classes of their fellow Christians, and have had the effect of stimulating to similar exertions, both at home and abroad. They earnestly hope that the year 1823, now commenced, will be rendered remarkable, by such an out-pouring of the Spirit of God upon the means of evangelical instruction, that the mountains and bogs of Ireland" may be glad for them," and her sterile and barren wastes be made to bud and blossom as the rose." No. I. Memorandums of the Progress of the Society for promoting the Education of the Poor of Ireland. I. SCHOOLS in connexion with the Society, which have received aid in Money, School Requisites, or both :In the Year ending 5th January 1816, none.-1817, 8.-1818, 65.-1819, 133. -1820, 241.-1821, 381.-1822, 513. II. Number of SCHOLARS in the Schools connected with the Society, so far as the same can be ascertained:In the Year ending 5th January 1816, none.-1817,557.-1818,4,527.-1819, 9263.-1820, 16,786.-1821, 26,474.1822, 36,657. III. Number of SCHOOLMASTERS trained in the Model School of the Society:-Prior to 5th January 1816, 16. In the Year ending 5th January 1816, 17.—1817, 13.—1818, 53.—1819, been laid before Parliament, and also before the public, in every Annual Report, they have never been varied or departed from,-nor has a single instance of deviation from the principles of the Society ever been particularized by any opponent of the Society, so far as the Society can learn,--except in the publication of a single paragraph in a book of Travels, which, to the Society appeared perfectly unobjectionable, but which, on being objected to by a single individual, was expunged from the subsequent edition. -Kildare Place, May 11, 1822. No. II. · An American publication, entitled "The Christian Herald, and Seamen's Magazine, for October 19, 1822," speaking of the state of Ireland, states, "Sir Henry Sidney, in a letter from Ireland, addressed to Queen Elizabeth, in the sixteenth century, suggested the plan of employing the natives of the Highlands of Scotland, as ministers | among the native Irish. For the remote places; where the Englishe tongue is not understood, it is most necessarie that suche be chosen as can speake Irishe. I do wish, (but this most humbly under your Highness's correction,) that you would write to the regente of Scotlande, where, as I learne, there are many of the reformede churches that are of this language; and though for a while your Majestie were at some charge, it were well bestowed, for in short time, thousands would be gained to Christ, that now are lost, or left to the woorst.'-Though this suggestion was made more than 300 years ago, it was left, we believe, for the 'Baptist Irish Society' to be the first to avail themselves of the important, and rational, and pious recommendation of Sir Henry: the Rev. Mr. M'Kaag, a native of the Highlands, having received a suitable education at Bradford Academy, is most usefully employed in preaching in the county of Mayo (Connaught,) in native Irish. This society, instituted about eight years ago, has done real good, both by its day-schools, and its readers of the Irish scriptures." P. 333. and found present 72 children, and on the list 83. Twelve of the repeaters committed to memory thirty-two chapters in the New Testament, since the 5th of July ult. I then proceeded to Kenagh, and found present in that school 122 children; 68 chapters were committed to memory by 20 children, since the 5th of July ult. I finished the inspection at the eve of the day, and scarcely were the scholars gone out, when my congregation of adult persons came in, and heard the word of life attentively. I rode seven miles to my lodgings that evening. Lord's-day, the 11th, I preached at Toome, and at six o'clock in the even ing at Clynen: each time tolerably well attended. I preached at the Scotch quarters on the Monday evening; the night was exceedingly inclement, which prevented several of my usual hearers from attending. Tuesday, 13, I preached at Carrickon-Shannon, to but a little flock indeed. The place I preached in was by no means accommodating; nothing but an ardent love for the truth will bring persons out of their comfortable habitations to hear us; and as there are but few of that description in the town, you will not wonder to hear that there were not many to hear me. Wednesday, the 14th, I went to Boyle, and had the pleasure of an interview with Brother Wilson. I resigned to him the Scotch-quarters, Strokestown, Carrick-on-Shannon, and Boyle, all missionary stations; and one school in the town of Longford. He preached at most of the above places, and was highly approved of. I preached at Boyle in the evening: the congregation was large. The fol lowing evening I attended an oration in the Sessions-house, on the state of the Jews. The orator showed us what God will providentially, and then evangelically, do for them. And, under the first head, we were informed that they will be literally brought back to Jerusalem, and enjoy their temporal privileges there; and, under the second, that they shall be brought to the full enjoyment of all the privileges of a spiritual and redeemed people. As to the latter, I believe it will be, and that they will enter into the new Jerusalem, which cometh Extract of the Journal of the Rev. Isaac down from God, out of heaven; but M'Carthy. DEAR BRETHREN, On Saturday the 10th of August, 1822, I inspected the school at Toorne, the former I cannot believe, nor would I give one farthing even to be able to build the old walls of Jerusalem. Friday, 16, I preached again at the Scotch-quarters; and Saturday, 17th, I rode twenty miles to Athlone; and on Lord's-day, the 18th, at ten o'clock forenoon, I preached; and after the conclusion of the sermon I told my hearers I preferred preaching a sermon on the religious experience of the Virgin Mary. The house was full: my text was, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." I believe we had several Catholics-I heard we had. I first showed, that she tacitly acknowledged that she had a soul, and that it had been a guilty soul, or why stand in need of a Saviour? 2dly: what she positively believed; not that any human work or merit would save her; for her soul magnified the Lord, and her spirit rejoiced in God her Saviour. We had the utmost attention all the time; only one stone was thrown at the door-no damage. I preached at eight o'clock on Monday morning, as I usually do, and we mostly find it a very refreshing time. I continued my usual route, preaching, visiting the schools, and conversing with the people, until Lord's-day, the 25th, when I preached at Ferbane. Both morning and evening I was well attended. Monday, 26th, returned to my humble cottage; and on Wednesday, 28th, left home again, and on Thursday, the 29th, preached at Read-castle. The house was full, and there seems to be a sincere spirit of inquiry in the mind of the woman of the house. Friday, the 30th, preached at the Poorman's-bridge; and Saturday, the last day of the week, and of the month, I preached at Shannsle. September 1st, I was comfortably engaged, preaching twice in the new meeting-house at Abbyliex; in the interval between the sermons, I administered the Lord's-supper to the members; the first time since the formation of the little church; and we came to a resolution to celebrate the death of our divine Lord every time we meet, let our numbers be many or few. I preach ed there on Monday, 2d, also; and each time I think we experienced the presence of our divine Master with us. walked the room till two, and then got my mare, and arrived home about se ven o'clock in the morning. My cold was much renewed, and my lungs much affected. Tuesday, the 30th, on my way to Clynon, where I was to preach in the evening, I came in friendly contact with the Rev. Mr. H. a Roman Catholic priest. Now as I am convinced of the injustice of exaggerating on the one hand, and of the impracticability of relating the conversation verbatim on the other, I shall briefly give it as near the truth as I possibly can remember. And first, I remarked the wonderful exertions of all denominations to extend the principles of the Christian religion, (as believed by them,) to the ends of the earth. "Yes," he replied, " and it would be glorious if they had the true faith, and were of the first church; but as I am a priest, and have had my ordination from a right source, and have the promise of God, 'Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world, Amen;' therefore I must conclude the rest of professors are but a sect; and our church the true church, and our mission of course from God." I asked him if the ordination even of the apostles precluded the possibility of the persons so ordained from falling into error; and, after some time, he acknowledged there was a possibility of it. "Then, Sir, if there was a possibility of even one person receding from the faith he professed at the time of his ordination, then why not the possibility of two; and if that be admissible, does it not prove the possibility of your whole body lapsing into the heresies of the age in which they lived; and if that be granted, then why not gradually slide from error to error, until the whole faith of the gos pel be lost sight of altogether? and hence, instead of having the promise of God's blessing to the end of time, to have his wrath and hot displeasure? Now, Sir, I shall only confine myself to the passage, part of which you have quoted, to prove you are in error; here are the words: Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am Tuesday, 3d, went to Dunecleggan, and preached there the two following days. Friday, 6th, I rode about twenty miles, and preached in the evening. The good family had the best intentions in inviting me to their habitation; bnt after the fatigues of the day, Ivh you alway, even to the end of found that my nocturnal accommodation, was by no means such as could justify me in continuing there till the morning. I rose about one o'clock, the world.' Is it not evident that the apostles first preached the gospel to the nations, and when they believed it, then baptized them? But you have 6 altered the imperative decree of God, do this: his omniscience to know their by first administering what you call wants, and omnipresence to be with baptism to iufants, and when they ar- them all at the time of their devotions, rive at adult age you teach them any to carry their petitions to her son. thing but the gospel the apostles Now, Sir, do you believe that she pospreached to the people. "I suppose,' sesses these attributes?" He replied, said he," you are one of those teachers "The question is unnecessary; for if who tell the people they are to be justi- we did not believe it, we would not fied by faith alone." I answered him in pray to her!" “Then, Sir, you make the affirmative, and cited several texts, her equal to God. And, Sir,it is against to prove the point; but the conclusive reason and scripture to pray to her, or one was: "For by grace are ye saved, any other creature.” He replied, through faith; and that not of your- "The scriptures are your authority for selves, it is the gift of God: not of every thing; I deny that authority :— works, lest any man should boast." we have the authority of the church." Eph. ii. 8, 9. "What," said he, "do I answered, "We deny the authority you want to make void the law through of your church altogether; for it is faith?" I then said, “These are not only the authority of men, and we rely my words, they are the words of the on the authority of the scriptures, for apostle." I then showed him how the they are the words of God." "Then," law was established by the gospel; said he, “I have been ransacking my and after some time he admitted that brain for a scriptural proof for you, sinners are justified by faith alone. and now I have found one; And he “Then, Sir, my charge against you cried and said, Father Abraham, have and your church is made good. That mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that is, you neither baptize, nor preach the he may dip the tip of his finger in wagospel! and the consequence will be ter, and cool my tongue; for I am toras the following text describes: But mented in this flame. But Abraham though we, or an angel from heaven, said, Son, remember that thou in thy preach any other gospel unto you than life time receivedst thy good things, that which we have preached unto you, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but let him be accursed.'" Galatians i. 8. now he is comforted, and thou art torHere this part of the argument subsi-mented.'" Luke xvi. 24, 25. "Then (I ded, and he said, "At all events we are the most wronged people in the whole world: our opinions are awfully misrepresented. We are charged by the Protestants with having committed the horrible crime of idolatry. *Well, Sir, and cannot that charge, as well as the other, be made good against your sect?" "No, by no means." "Well, Sir, don't you pray to the Virgin Mary?" He answered, "We do." "Then if you do, the Protestants have rightly charged you with idolatry; for it is idolatry to pray to any but God: and it is not only idolatry, but also vanity; for as she is but a finite being, therefore she must be confined to some local situation. Hence she cannot hear or know the wants of her numerous supplicants, who solicit her mediation, and all at the same time. She must possess two attributes of the Deity to qualify her to said) Sir, you have been ransacking Believe me, dear Brethren, Subscriptions or Donations received by Wm. Burls, Esq. Treasurer, `56, Lothbury; Chapman Barber, Esq. 44, Chancery-lane, and Mr. İvimey, Secretary, 20, Harpur-street, London. Meetings of the Committee, No. 6, Fen-court, Fenchurch-street, the first Tuesday in the Month, at Six o'clock in the Evening. Missionary Herald. BAPTIST MISSION. Home Proceedings. occasion we had the valuable assistance of several ministers of different denominations; and we have reason to believe, that the services were ge nerally approved, as pleasing and edi East Lancashire Auxiliary Bap-fying. The following was the order of tist Missionary Society. We have great pleasure in stating that a new Auxiliary has been formed under the above title, which will include that part of the district formerly comprehended in the York and Lancashire Assistant Society,' which has not been comprised within the limits of the smaller Auxiliaries more recently constituted; and thus complete the organization of the system, throughout that extensive and populous portion of the kingdom. The account is given in a letter from the esteemed Secretary, Rev. John Birt of Manchester, to the Secretary of the Parent Society, who writes thus, under date of the 26th of November. proceeding. Half-past six, Monday evening, November 11.-Prayer, and reading the scriptures, by Rev. T. Roberts; sermon by Rev. W. Winterbotham, from Micah v. 7, 8. Eleven, Tuesday morning, Nov. 12. Prayer by Dr. Ryland; sermon by Rev. T. Roberts, from Daniel vii, 13, 14; concluding prayer by Rev. Wm. Bishop, (Independent.) Six, Evening. The public meeting was held at the Bell Assembly-room: the attendance was numerous and respectable. The Rev. W. WINTERBOTHAM in the Chair. The addresses were serious, suitable, and impressive; that of the venera"A meeting was held in York-ble and highly esteemed (senior) Secre street chapel on Wednesday, the tary was particularly grateful to the 20th inst., consisting of ministers and feelings of the audience. Those of our other friends of the Baptist denomina- Independent and Wesleyan brethren tion, residing in the eastern parts of were distinguished by a kind and li Lancashire, when a Society was form-beral spirit, and expressed their cored in aid of the Baptist Missionary dial approbation of our Mission. Society, and denominated the "East Lancashire Auxiliary Baptist Missionary Society." At this meeting, several resolutions were unanimously adopted, expressive of warm attachment to the great cause of Missions in general, and particularly to the Parent Institution. The first Committee meeting, for giving effect to the purposes of the new Auxiliary will be held at Rochdale on the 18th of December next, and the first General Meeting of the Society is appointed for the 20th of May, 1823, at York-street chapel, Manchester." Indeed, the interest that was felt by the assembly throughout the evening is best explained by the observation which was pretty general: "That they had no idea it was later than eight o'clock;" although it was ten when the meeting ended. Our Auxiliary at present embraces ten congregations, who have expressed their intention of uniting with us; and we hope that others also will be added. The contributions for the various purposes of the Mission was upwards of £20: we trust that by persevering efforts, they will be gradually increased, and that a permanent desire will be excited in our churches to as sist in so good a cause; upon the success of which, and similar Institutions, under the Divine blessing, the happi ness of the world depends. We are, dear Sir, G. B. DRAYTON, E Secretaries. |