Irish Chronicle. THE Committee of the Baptist Irish Society have been very desirous to establish native Irish Schools in the county of Cork, in some parts of which the Irish language is extensively and exclusively spoken. They have met with many difficulties in their attempts to accomplish this object, but begin to hope that their labours will be successful. The following extracts from the Journal of Mr. Wm. Thomas, one of their itinerants, are encouraging. Kilfinnin, near Killmallock, I AM just returned from my inspection of the schools in the county of Cork. On my arrival at K. J. I found that the priest had denounced threatenings against the master of the school, and the parents who sent their children to it. In consequence of this, the master, through fear of his life, as he said, had discontinued the school, and returned the books, excepting three Irish Testaments. He kept one of these for himself, and gave the others to some of his friends, offering to pay me for them. I refused to take his money, telling him, that as they were so pleased with the Testament, I would undertake, on behalf of the Society, to make a present of them. He has committed three gospels to memory, and left off going to mass, as he tells me he has discovered the errors of popery. He is resolved to learn the whole book. He is an excellent schoolmaster, and a man of good character. tures. Catharine and Jane Wolf each repeated the whole Epistle to the Romans. Several others repeated from one to seven chapters. This school has been greatly opposed, but all is quiet at present. The master is a good man, and much respected. In the school at B. four miles northwest of C. I found eighty-six children in the school, and one hundred and five on the lists. Of these, thirty were reading, and seven of them repeated from one to six chapters of the Gospel of John: the master, D.S. is very attentive to his duty. He was, some time since, summoned to appear before the Roman Catholic bishop and some of his priests, who wished him to teach their Catechism. He informed them, that as he taught none for the Society by which he was supported, he would teach none for them. He thinks but little of popery. I visited the school at W. three miles west from C. There are but thirty on the list, twenty of whom were in the school. These are all the children of Protestants, Three miles west of B. I visited the as the priest had strictly forbidden his school at G. T. M. master. There are flock to send their children. I hope this fifty-three names upon the list, and I opposition will soon give way. The masfound forty-four children in the school: ter's name is J. C.: the improvement of eighteen were reading, and the rest spell- the children is very creditable to him: ing. Three could read well in the Irish eighteen of them repeated several chapTestament: there were five others who ters from the Gospel of Matthew, and had been forbidden to continue. Many the Epistle to the Romans. I hope that false reports had been in circulation this account of the schools will meet the respecting the Testament, and the design approbation of the Committee. The of establishing the free-school. The pa- masters have persevered through great rents desired the children should read it opposition they are moral in their conover first before they committed any of duct, and devoted to their work. There it to memory, lest it should be of danger- are two others who have been recomous consequence; which accounts for no mended to me as well qualified for teachchapters having been repeated in thising Irish, whom, I hope, the Society will school. I endeavoured to remove their prejudices, and to allay their fears. I next visited the school at D. four miles north-west of C. master W. F. I found sixty-five children in the school; thirteen of these were reading the scrip employ. In the Sunday-school at Kilfinnin there is a boy, fourteen years of age, named C. H. whom I beg leave to recommend to the attention of the Committee. He has made a surprising progress in learning, and evinces an uncommon capacity: he can learn and repeat perfectly a long chapter in the Testament in an hour's time. He frequently learns two chapters on a Lord's-day morning, and comes to school, and repeats them perfectly. He has no time on a weekday, as he is employed in gathering fuel on the mountains to dress their potatoes. He is an orphan, descended from a respectable but reduced family. His eldest brother is a stay-maker, who attempts to support five of them by his labour, but they are very poor. He ean repeat the Gospel of John, the Acts of the Apostles, and six chapters of one of the Epistles. I found this boy going to destruction, and took him to the Sunday school when I first came bither. He is now seriously inclined; and his answers to questions relating to the scriptures are highly gratifying. His attention to my lectures I hope proves him to be a lover of religion; and he has separated himself from the company of the other boys. It would be my earnest wish to take this boy under my own care, if I could afford to cloath and maintain him until he was better provided for. The Sunday-school is very useful, and I hope my labours here are not useless. Mr. Thomas had many opportunities of preaching, while inspecting the schools in the county of Cork: he appears to have endured much fatigue, being ob. liged often to sleep in damp beds, and to put on his clothes quite wet, from the excessive rains, and not being able to get them dried. Extracts from the Journal of Mr. McCarthy, dated Sept. 13, 1819. AFTER mentioning that since his last he had preached at Abby liex, Waterford, Ballycumber, and Croggan, he adds, On my way from the latter place, I was called into a house, where some Roman Catholics and Protestants were contending about what they called religion; and they requested me that I would give my opinion about the worship of angels, the power of the clergy, and the texts of scripture on which the papists build their opinion of purgatory. I took the opportunity of directing them all to the atonement of the Redeemer, and showed them the necessity of their becoming new creatures, through faith in Jesus Christ, or they could never inherit the kingdom of God. Both parties appeared to be' pleased with the conversation, and I observed some of them were much af *fected. In my last I mentioned that a young woman, a Roman Catholie, had been lately converted. She has suffered greatly from the persecutions of her connections. She informed me that the priest had caused her father to take an oath that he would force his daughter to leave his house, if she would not promise him that she would forsake all the religious meetings. She informed her father, that however painful it would be for her to leave his house, yet rather than make such a promise she was determined to seek her bread by the labour of her hands." Extract from the Journal of Mr. Keen, Newry. To the Committee of the Baptist Irish Having just returned from an excursion of two months to Athlone and other parts of the country, I am anxious to forward an account of the places where I have preached. They are as follows: Lord's-day, July 11, at Athlone. Tuesday, 13, Ditto. Thursday, 15, Preached at Ferbane, in the dwelling-house of Mr. J. Bagnale. Mr. B. is a zealous friend to the cause of the Redeemer in this county: through his exertions to obtain a congregation, there were, I suppose, about sixty hearers. I need not give you any account of the church there, as you are I believe in possession of more information respecting it, than I could communicate. I understood that the Society's school had received great injury from the opposition of the priest. Lord's-day, July 18.-Preached twice at Athlone, and also on the evening of Tuesday the 20th. Wednesday, 21-Preached at Tullamore, in the house where Mr. McCarthy resides and preaches. We had a congregation of about twenty, or twenty four, persons. Thursday, 22.-Preached at Rahue, morning and evening. Lord's-day, 25.-Preached at Athlone; also on the evenings of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Thursday, 29.-Preached in the town of Moate, eight miles from Athlone. Friday evening, 30.-Preached again in Athlone. This was the sixth time I had preached in the town that week, yet I was gratified by hearing some of the people ask, if I was not going to preach again the next evening, (Saturday.) Lord's-day, August 1.-Preached again in Athlone. Tuesday evening, 3.- Preached at Egglish. On Thursday, arrived at Thurles, where I preached the following evening, and on Lord's-day twice, and also on Monday evening. Things are very discouraging at Thurles, the place is nearly sunk in popery, and the people seem destitute even of that curiosity which in most places exists. The Lord, how ever, is not altogether without witnesses even here. Lord's day, 15.-Preached in the Baptist meeting-house in the city of Waterford, and also on the following Tuesday, and again in the morning of the following Lord's-day; same day, in the evening, preached at Chuk-point, a small village on the banks of the river Suir, and about six miles from Waterford. We met for worship in the parlour of a friend's house, and had from sixty to seventy attentive hearers, who seemed much rejoiced at an opportunity of hear. ing the glad tidings of salvation. This is a place where the gospel is seldom preached, and consequently where the people are very anxious to hear it. Lord's-day, 29.-Preached again in Athlone; as also on the evenings of Tuesday and Friday. Lord's-day, September 5.-Took my leave of the people in Athlone, in order to return to my station in Newry. I am happy to inform the Committee, that there is a pleasing prospect of usefulness in Athlone. Brother Dunlop, who is preaching the gospel in the most effectual way, viz. by his judicious conduct and blameless walk, will, I hope, be the means of reviving the interest there. There is evidently a considerable spirit of hearing amongst many of the people of Athlone. The place of worship is much against the prosperity of the cause there; it is too small, and very damp. I left the people with considerable thankfulness and regret: the former, that I had visited them for a time, and the latter, that that time was so short. And I am [tive hearers. I believe we found the Redeemer's promise fulfilled; " Whereever two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Lord's-day, 11.-Preached twice for the Rev. J. West, Swift's-alley, Dublin. Thus I have given a faithful account of what I have been doing since leaving my station in Newry; during which time, brother Dunlop, in connexion with other ministers, has supplied the congregation in that place. I suppose he has forwarded his Journal to the Committee, of the la bours of that time, and therefore I need not repeat what he has said. On my return here, the place was well attended, and from this time, during the winter, we shall have good congregations. The Com mittee will hear with satisfaction, that the Sunday-school is doing well. Surgeon Miller is actively employed in it, and has commenced meeting as many of the children as will attend of a Lord's day evening, before the public service, for the purpose of reading the scriptures, and asking them questions. I have requested him to write some account of the Sundayschool, which you will have with this. Begging an interest in your prayers, I remain, Gentlemen, your willing ser vant in the Gospel, Newry, Sept. 21, 1819. C. T. KEEN. To the Secretary of the Baptist Irish DEAR SIR, Newry, Sept. 21, 1819. As you have frequently heard through our much-esteemed friend, Mr. Keen, an account of our religious affairs in this place, it will be unnecessary for me to say much on that subject, as he intends writing by the same conveyance. We can only say, sure these feelings were mutual. May that we feel truly grateful to our heavenly the Lord prosper the exertions of the So- Father, and to your Society, for permitting ciety in that town! few places, I believe, him to remain so long among us; and need them more. I may add, for the though our limited circumstances preinformation of the Committee, that the vented us from doing what we could have school in Athlone is doing well; the wished towards his support, yet we know average attendance of children is from that his labours have not been in vain in fifty to sixty. The master attends very the Lord. We have had a few difficulties closely to the instruction of the chil- to encounter, respecting a convenient dren. place of worship, but we must not be cast Monday, 6.-On my return to New-down on that account, as great is the ry, preached at Ferbane, and was Truth, and it must prevail. sorry to learn that the Society's school in that town had been broken up, so that not more than three or four children were in it. Tuesday, 7.—Preached at Rahue, from John iii. 16, to a little company of atten Our school-room, which Mr. Keen occupies at present as a chapel, may be said to be hid in a corner, and of course our general attendance is but small; but you will be gratified to hear of the pros perity of our Sunday-school, which is the only one of the kind in Newry. We have, since its commencement, eighteen months ago, about three hundred and fifty children on the books; but the general attendance at present is not more than one hundred and fifty, who are under the care of eight male, and four female teachers, all learning to read from ten till twelve o'clock; but in the afternoon, from four till six o'clock, about sixty of the older classes attend to read, and repeat portions of scripture given them on the preceding sabbath, and have them explained by way of question and answer. You would be delighted to hear the simplicity and correctness of their answers. For example, we had lately the third chapter of the Gospel by John, and began by asking, Q. Who came to converse with Jesus? A. Nicodemus. Q. What was he? A. A ruler of the Jews. Q. Had he any religion? A. Yes, he was a Pharisee. Q. What is a Pharisee? A. One who thinks his own religion the best, and will not worship God in company with any one who does not think as he does. Q. When did Nicodemus come to converse with Christ? 4. At night. Q. Why could he not have come in the day time? A. Because the Jews had made a law, that if any one took up with Christ, they would put him out of the synagogue. Q. What is meant by putting him out of the synagogue? A. Excommunicating him. Q. But though the Jews might put a person away from the synagogue, could they also put him away from Christ? A No, if he were a real Christian. Q. How do you know that? Is not excommunication a terrible thing? A. Yes, from Christ; but he says, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. Q. Could not the devil take them from Christ? A. No; for Christ is stronger than the devil. Q. How do you know that? A. All power in heaven and in earth is given unto him. Q. What did Nicodemus say to Christ? A. He said that Christ was a teacher come from God. Q. How did he know that? A. By the miracles that Christ performed. Q. Where did Christ perform the first miracle? A. At a wedding. Q. Where? A. In Cana of Galilee, where he turned the water into wine.-This led us to take notice of some more of the miracles before we proceeded to speak about the new birth. But you will perceive from this specimen our general manner of proceeding. We have a very promising school at Ballynafern, about ten miles from Newry, where there is a small Baptist church established for several years, and which Mr. Keen visits occasionally: several of the Sunday scholars there have become members of the church. Wishing you much of the Divine countenance and approbation in the good work in which you are engaged, believe me, dear Sir, your affectionate brother in Christ, GEORGE MILLER From Mr. Dunlop. REVEREND SIR, Dublin, Sept. 21, 1819. Since my last I have preached in Newry, Warrenpoint, and Ballanafern. The number that attend in Newry in summer, is small when compared with the attendance in winter; but even when the congregation is at ebb, the aspect of things there is of a more pleasurable character than what it has been formerly. The la bours of Dr. Miller in the Sabbath-schools and in various other ways, is unremitted. At Warren point I have preached the glorious gospel to people of four counties; namely, Down, Armagh, Monaghan, and Tyrone-to Episcopalians, Methodists, Covenanters, Burghers, AntiBurghers, Kirk of Scotland folk, Independents, Baptists, and the avowed adherents of the Pope. At Ballanafern, nine miles from Newry, the attendance was great as my estimation might not be correct, I shall transfer you that of the leading man in that congregation; namely, 300 persons. Arianism and Socinianism are lamentably prevalent in the northern O that the Lord counties of Ireland. may raise up, and send out, sons of thunder to preach the unsearchable perfection of Christ there. I am yours, truly, The Committee will be greatly obliged to any Ministers who will make congregational or other Collections for them, as the Funds of the Society will soon ba expended. Missionary Herald. BAPTIST MISSION. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY. evening, after prayer by Mr. Kinghorn of Norwich, an interesting sermon was preached by Mr. Ward, from Seram. pore, founded on Ps. lxxii. 17. Men shall be blessed in him; all nations shall call him blessed. Mr. W. closed the service in prayer. It has never been customary to make collections on these occasions, but the liberality of the congregation led them conformity with the notice inserted to propose a variation from the regular hour Number for September, the twentycourse in this respect, and the sum of seventh Anniversary of the Baptist Mis-81 10s. was received at the doors, sionary Society was held at the Rev. T. besides a donation of £20 from a gene Edmonds's Meeting-house, Cambridge, rous individual, by the hands of Mr. on Wednesday and Thursday, the 6th Edmonds. and 7th of October. As no meeting of this description had ever been held before in this part of the country, much interest was excited. The congregations were large and attentive; a spirit of affectionate seriousness appeared to pervade all the meetings, both public and private; and business of peculiar delicacy and importance was transacted with a degree of unanimity which has never been surpassed in the annals of the Society. A preparatory lecture was preached on Tuesday evening by Dr. Ryland, from 1 Chron. xxix. 10-18. Prayer was offered at the commencement by Mr. Winterbotham of Horsley; and at the close by Mr. Dyer of Reading. While the Committee were engaged in transacting business on Wednesday morning, a number of ministers and other friends met for prayer at the meetinghouse. At eleven, public service began with reading the scriptures and prayer by Mr. Hinton of Oxford. Mr. Robert Hall preached a most impressive discourse from Isa. xxxii. 13-15; in which he dwelt with much emphasis upon the absolute necessity of the influences of the Holy Spirit to render Missionary exertions effectual: and Dr. Newman of Stepney, concluded. Mr. Hall has been very earnestly solicited by the Society to publish his sermon; and we cannot but hope that he will feel it a duty to comply with the request. In the VOL. XI. The public meeting for the transaction of business commenced on Thursday morning at half past ten. Benjamin Shaw, Esq. was called to the chair; and after prayer had been offered by Mr. Coles of Bourton, a Report of the proceedings of the Society during the past year was read by the Junior Secretary. Besides presenting a copious summary of intelligence from the various Missionary Stations, this Report communicated, under the head of "Internal Management," the result of the deliberations of the Committee on the seventh Resolution of the last Annual Meeting (see P. A. XXXIII. p. 344.) The Committee have thought it best to recommend that the fourth, fifth, and sixth Rules of the Plan of the Society agreed on at Oxford, Jan. 1, 1817, (see P. A. XXXII. p. 245.) should be rescinded; and that in lien thereof, it be enacted, that the Annual Meeting shall be held in June-that the Committee consist of fifty members, a proportion of whom shall go out yearly-and that a Central Committee, open to the attendance of any Member of the General Committee, shall meet monthly in London, for the dispatch of business. After the Report had been read, it was moved by Joseph Gutteridge, Esq. seconded by W. B. Gurney, Esq. and Resolved unanimously, I. That the Report now read be received and printed under the direction of the 4 A |