IRISH CHRONICLE.

MARCH, 1835.

The Committee would not be insensible to the many instances in which kind attention has been paid to their appeals under the pecuniary burden still resting upon the Society. Certainly, were it not for such benevolent assistance, the difficulties and discouragements connected with carrying on its operations, would be greatly increased. Yet the arrear of debt, amounting to nearly, or quite, a thousand pounds, cannot fail to excite a considerable measure of solicitude in the minds of those who are principally concerned in the management of its affairs; but it is recollected that the silver and the gold are the Lord's; and in the history of this Society, many indeed have been the opportunities afforded for gratefully acknowledging the remarkably seasonable relief which He has been pleased to send, and in this time of exigence, it is hoped He will again appear. The Rev. J. Allen returned to Ballina, after collecting for the Chapel, the latter end of January. He wishes to acknowledge the kindness he experienced during his tour, and hopes to present, next month, an account of the contributions he has received.

To the Rev. Jas. Allen.

I have been employed during the last quarter in this neighbourhood according to the ability that God hath given, in making known to my fellow-sinners the unsearchable riches of Christ, the ignorance of which is the cause of all the wickedness, delusion, and error, in this or any other country.

Oct. 5.—Visited a family in Brook Street, where I read the twenty-first chapter of Job, and several other passages of Scripture, I made some remarks as I read, the people frequently lifting up their eyes when the name of Jesus was mentioned. Those people have a form of religion, but they are destitute of the power.

12.—Visited an old woman in Bohunssup who is convinced of her sinful state by nature, and pointed out the Saviour to her as plainly as I could; I told her I feared she would prefer a priest to the Saviour in her last hours, and if so, she might as well deny him altogether, and in all his offices, as he alone is able to save from sin; and those who believe on him shall not come into condemnation. She declared she had no hope, no desire, to look to anything a priest could do for her. I prayed with this poor woman.

19.—Visited a family this afternoon, named Whalin, where I read several portions of God's word, and endeavoured to explain as I read. I prayed with them also.

26.—I had a conversation with an old Roman Catholic lady on the folly of those people who, she said, exposed their children to the fearful doom, should they die unbaptized, of being shut out from the light of heaven. I asked her if she did not read the New Testament. She said she did. I asked her where she found any thing there that would lead her to suppose or believe that those unbaptized children were thus exposed. I said: I find no command to sprinkle infants; but the contrary, seeing no persons were admitted to that ordinance but those who were able to make a profession of faith, and this no infant could do; nor do we read of any but adults being received into the church. I showed her, from the New Testament, the practice of the Apostles, and our Lord's commission to his Apostles. Then, why do Protestants baptize their infants? said she. Because, said I, instead of abiding by what is written they have thought proper to adopt the customs of those who teach the commandments of men for those of God. You mean to say, said she, that the Church of Rome do so? Certainly, I replied. Then she said she believed in the Saviour alone, and through faith in him she hoped to be forgiven. You are a Protestant then, said I. No; I detest your Calvinistic doctrines, and I know no name sufficiently odious to brand them with. You may call me any name you please, said I. She pledged her honour that she always thought me an honest man and a good Christian. I told her I was glad to hear her give another proof of her Protestant principles; seeing she was more charitable than to believe all Protestants must be damned. She said, no Catholics held such an opinion. I told her what the Council of Trent said on that subject. She would not believe what I told her. She said she did not believe that she received the body and blood spiritually in the Eucharist. I said she believed more. No, said she.

I must not lengthen this subject, as the whole of our argument would fill my sheet; nor would I have gone so far, were it not to show how little Roman Catholics know what they believe. After running over most of the absurdities of her religion, some things she denied, others she never heard of before. This woman got a good education, if any can be so while the Scriptures are left out. She is one of the strictest in this town for the last fifty years.

Nov. 2.—Visited a family in Garden Street, named Timlin, where I read several portions of Scripture; but they would not hear of my praying with them; such is their fear of being spoken of.

9.—I had several conversations with people this day, one with an old man, named Dowd, for whom I read many portions which I thought suited to his case, an old man on the verge of eternity, who never thought on those things.

16.—Visited poor old F., with whom I read, conversed, and prayed. He is near his rest. He thanks God for having afflicted him; for before he was afflicted he went astray. I had a good opportunity to show some Roman Catholics, who were in the house, what the believer rests his hopes upon in the hour of trial. They listened with attention.

23.—Visited a family in Ardnaree, named Gardner, where I read a chapter and prayed with the family: and I always make some remarks as I read, and propose questions, in order to arrest their attention.

30.—Visited the Staff, where I found some children reading the Scriptures; I read with, and turned this little company into a class, by questioning them on what we read. I prayed with them, and promised to visit them again.

Dec. 14.—Visited a family in Hill Street, named M^cNautly, where I attempted to read, but was interrupted by a woman who said she did not want any thing out of Protestant books. I reasoned with her for some time, when I referred to the Testament for the truth of what I said; and as she seemed pleased with what I said, I continued to read, and explained as I read, without any further interruption. So we parted good friends.

21.—Conversed with a young man named Poots, who asked me my opinion of almost every article of the Popish doctrines. He said, he was satisfied with any thing written in the Scriptures, as he found very little difference between ours, as he called it, and his Testament. I need not enter into particulars, as this subject lasted more than two hours, without an angry feeling on either side. He at length exclaimed: There is so much mystery in our religion, and those things known only to the priests, that he did not know what to think; but, said he, if I could be properly convinced on the subject of transubstantiation and confession, I would not remain one day in the church of Rome.

28.—Visited an old woman in Brook Street, named Brennan, who is confined to her bed. I read and conversed with her for about an hour: I prayed with her also.

Austin Brennan. Ballina, Jan. 3, 1835.

To Rev. J. Bates.

I am happy to inform you, that the work of the blessed Redeemer is prospering in this part of his vineyard, though the wicked one has his secret agents in this place, as well as every other place, resisting the work of Christ, and the gospel of the grace of God.

On the 20th of July I went to read to the house of one James M^cPartlin, near the town of Drumahair. This poor man is ignorant and unlearned, although a great devotee in the Church of Rome. I read for this poor man and family several chapters in both English and Irish; and the poor man was astonished to hear the words of eternal life in his native language. He asked me several questions concerning the sacrifice of the mass, and purgatory, and other doctrines taught by his church. I asked him: "What sacrifice is the mass?" He answered, in the words of his catechism, "An unbloody sacrifice." I then read for him the ninth and tenth chapters of Hebrews, and showed him from the twenty-second verse of the ninth chapter, that without shedding of blood there is no remission, and consequently, as the mass was an unbloody sacrifice, there could be no remission in it. I again referred him and family to the ninth and tenth chapters of Hebrews, to show that when He, the Lord, by himself purged our sins, he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; and that by one offering He hath perfected for ever all them that are sanctified. I read part of the Epistle to the Ephesians, and especially the 1st chap. 7th ver., "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." I then read for him the 1st chapter of 1 John, to show them that it is the blood of Christ alone that cleanseth us from all sin. All the family seemed well satisfied to hear me read, and invited me to come and read for them as often as I could. I have often read for this family since, and I trust the Lord has made his word a blessing to them.

On the 15th of August, I read in the house of James M^cHugh the 9th and 10th chapters of John's Gospel; and poor M^cHugh was so delighted that he said he had no greater comfort in the world than to hear his children read the Testament. He said his daughter committed one hundred chapters at the Drumahair female school; and he prayed for the prosperity and long continuance of the Baptist Irish Society; "for," said he, "only for them my children would never get a word of learning." Oh, that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified! and may the boundaries of Christ's fold be still more extended, until the whole number of his elect be accomplished!

Few days pass but I read at some place. It is all the pleasure I have, to be conversing with my poor neighbours about their eternal happiness. I wish I could afford to spend all my time in this blessed employment; but I thank God I would rather be a door-keeper in the house of the Lord, than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.

There are many inquiring what they must do to be saved. We direct them to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and strive to point them to the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.

Adam Johnson. Drumahair, September 26, 1834.

To Rev. J. Bates.

Since my last, I have visited more than twenty different places, and some of them are about twenty miles asunder. This, together with my occasional visits in this neighbourhood, has afforded me very many interesting opportunities of directing sinners to the Saviour. In my visits to the Night Schools, I have been highly gratified in observing an increase of scriptural knowledge among those who attend. In J. Monaghan's Night School, I found many adult persons assembled together, some of them heads of families with their children, solely for the purpose of reading the Scriptures and inquiring after their meaning, some of these being Roman Catholics, asked me several very important questions, to all which I endeavoured to give scriptural answers, with which they were highly gratified and thankful, and wished that I might soon visit them again.

November 24th, visited the house of a poor tradesman in Balli Murray, read the 3rd of John, and pointed out the way of a sinner's acceptance with God. All who were in the house quitted their several employments, and drew around me. They all heard with eager attention, whilst I pointed out the dreadful nature of sin, showing that nothing but the blood of the Saviour cleanseth from it. One of them told me, that the priest teaches that there is a purgatory, and that those who are not guilty of mortal sins are cleansed from venial sins in purgatory. I told them that there are no sins venial in the sight of God, for that it is written, "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them;" that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth believers from all sin, and that there is no other purgatory. On the 4th inst. read the word near Ballymote. A poor man, named Rooney, told me of a sermon which he had heard from the priest on the last Sabbath; the priest, he said, preached on the General Judgment, and so terrified him that he was almost in despair. He told his hearers that not only for every evil action men must give an account, but also for every idle thought; and oh, said he, if you had heard the Priest, you would be terrified. I asked him, did the Priest tell him what he must do to be saved? but he was totally ignorant of this. I then endeavoured to bring to the understanding of this poor man the gospel plan of salvation, which seemed to be the only thing calculated to give him comfort and peace of mind.

On the 8th visited Killoran; met with a young man, a Roman Catholic, who is a hired servant; he told me that he had been studying on the subject of baptism; that when a school-boy he got a Testament, which he had since kept very carefully; that in it he read that our Saviour was baptized in the river Jordan; that from this he was led to believe that immersion is the proper mode. I then read for him the account of the baptism of the eunuch by Philip, also of Lydia, and the jailor, &c. He heard with eager attention, and said that he was fully persuaded that believers were the proper subjects for baptism, and that immersion was the primitive mode. On the 12th March, travelled in company with several people with a hearse going to a burial. I told them that it is appointed unto all men once to die, and after death the judgment; and that it is of the highest importance for us to be prepared for judgment. I was sorry to learn that they did not know the Saviour, nor their need of him. I made the best use I could of the short time I was with them. One of them said he was sorry I was leaving them, &c.

Robert Beaty. Carintavy, Dec. 14, 1834.

CONTRIBUTIONS.

By Rev. J. Dyer.

A Friend, Yorkshire 5 0 0

Mr. Holleck, by Rev. Dr. Fletcher 5 0 0

J. Chippendale, Esq., Uxbridge, by Rev. A. G. Fuller 1 0 0

From profits of Youth's Magazine, per W. B. Gurney 20 0 0

From one who has tasted that the Lord is gracious (per General Post) 1 0 0

Collected by Rev. S. Davis.

Bristol 41 2 6

Mrs. Holland 50 0 0

Bath 8 1 0

Bradford, Wilts 4 8 6

Trowbridge 15 19 0

Bratten 5 13 0

Westbury 1 10 0

Frome 8 4 10

Bridgwater 4 4 10

Taunton 13 5 8

Collected by Mr. Lillycrop, Exeter.

Sir John Kennaway, Bart. 2 0 0

W. Rouse, Esq., Tor 1 0 0

Mrs. Rouse 0 10 0

Rev. J. Mason 0 10 0

Rev. E. H. Brewer 0 10 0

Miss Salter 0 10 0

Mr. Lillycrop 0 10 0

Miss Booth 0 8 0

Miss Pates, collected by 0 16 6

Mr. Upham 0 5 0

Mrs. Mason 0 5 0

J. C. Wilcocks, Esq. 0 5 0

Mrs. Lillycrop 0 5 0

Mrs. Glyde 0 5 0

Mr. Tanner 0 5 0

Mr. Nichols 0 5 0

Mr. Vinicombe 0 5 0

Mr. Jeffery 0 5 0

Mrs. Gregory 0 5 0

Miss Beal 0 5 0

Mrs. Cummin 0 5 0

Mr. Wilson 0 5 0

Miss Lee 0 5 0

Mr. Rowse 0 5 0

Miss Cole 0 5 0

Mr. S. Davis 0 5 0

Mr. Goodridge 0 5 0

Mr. Mills 0 5 0

Mrs. Higgs 0 5 0

Mrs. Furze 0 5 0

Sunday-school, Bartholomew Chapel 0 5 2

Miss Bury 0 4 0

Mrs. Ford 0 4 0

Mr. Hooker 0 2 6

Mrs. Maynard 0 2 6

Mr. Wright 0 2 6

Mrs. Tanner 0 2 6

Ellen Bridgeman 0 2 6

By the Treasurer.

T. B., per Mr. W. Burls, jun. 2 0 0

D. P., per Mr. W. L. Smith 0 10 0

Charles Davis, Wallingford 1 0 0

Rev. E. West, Amersham Sub. 2 2 0

Rev. W. Nicholls, Collingham, Don. 4 0 0

Do. do. Sub. 1 0 0

Mrs. Fernie, of Tottenham, and Friends, for Mary's Philanthropic School, Mount Shannon, Galway 11 0 0

By the Secretary.

W. Burls, Esq., Edmonton 5 0 0

A. Bose Ans. Sub. 2 0 0

From Mrs. Burls and Daughters, a valuable parcel for the poor children in the Society's Schools

Subscriptions received by S. Marshall, Esq., 181, High Holborn; Mr. P. Millard, Bishopsgate Street; Messrs. Burls, 56, Lothbury; Rev. G. Pritchard, 4, York Place, Pentonville, gratuitous Secretary; by Messrs. Ladbrokes and Co., Bankers, Bank Buildings; by Mr. H. D. Dickie, 13, Bank Street, and Rev. Mr. Innes, Frederick Street, Edinburgh; and P. Brown, Esq., Cardigan.

LONDON: J. MADDON, PRINTER, CASTLE-STREET, FINSBURY.