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MONTHLY REGISTER.

FOREIGN.

Greece. The ambassadors of the Allied Powers have left Turkey, and we look with an anxious and foreboding spirit to the next scene in the Turkish drama. Our apprehensions are certainly not diminished by what has occurred, and is occurring in other nations. We do not say war has actually begun, nor even that it will take place, but we see and hear enough to convince us, that in those quarters where the power exists to avert such a calamity, every preparation is being made to meet it.

France. By the Moniteur and the Gazette de France, it appears that the first efforts of the new Ministry are directed to the extirpation of that baneful influence which, under the patronage of Corbiere and most of his colleagues, the Jesuits were fast regaining in France. With this view, the official Gazette contains a report from Count Portalis to the King, recommending the appointment of a Commission to inquire into the state of the Ecclesiastical

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A very singular document has just been issued by the Ministers and Elders of the Scotch Church resident in London, entitled "A Pastoral Letter from the Scotch Presbytery in London, addressed to the baptized of the Scottish Church residing in London and its vicinity, and in the southern parts of the island."

This document contains the following statement:

"Of the tens of thonsands of our counthis city and neighbourhood, (of whom it is trymen and their descendants resident in reckoned not less than a hundred thousand have received baptism at the hand, and are therefore members, of the Scottish Church, for whose souls she is responsible,) not one the Lord, to renew their baptismal covenant, thousand present themselves at the Table of and join themselves to the body of Christ, for their spiritual nourishment and growth

Schools, for the purpose of securing
the execution of the laws in them, and
to place them in harmony with the Po-
litical Legislation. The Commission
includes several of the most respectable
names in France, so that there is no
reason for supposing that the inquiry
will not probe the subject to the bottom,
and prove a death-blow to the perni- | in grace."
cious influence of the Jesuits.

What proportion these items bear to

The Report bears the Royal appro- corresponding items in churches simibation of the 20th January.

DOMESTIC.

larly constituted, we cannot tell; but does not the lamentable fact here stated furnish demonstrative evidence of the folly of attempting to rear a spiritual edifice of other materials than those which have been previously constituted "lively stones," fitted and prepared by a divine hand?

The national interest has been absorbed during the past month, by the disorganized state of the British Cabinet, Lord Goderich's resignation having been followed by that of his ministerial associates. In this unsettled A petition for the repeal of the Test state of things, a succession of rumours and Corporation Acts was carried on the has been afloat as to their probable suc- 24th ult. by the Mayor, Aldermen, and cessors in office, receiving their shape Common Council of London, only three and colour from the hopes, or fears, or | hands being held up against it.

IRISH CHRONICLE,

FEBRUARY, 1828.

THE Committee have been very desirous that the persons employed by them as Readers of the Irish Scriptures, should be men of sound principles, of good character, and of competent talents. For the information of the Friends of the Society, the Secretaries have lately addressed to their Superintendents some pointed inquiries in respect to the Readers, which will be found to have already produced most satisfactory answers. One of these, from our excellent friend, Major Colpoys, a most respectable Magistrate, is given without abridgement. The Chronicle for the present month will be confined to the operations of the Society in the province of Munster.

To the Secretaries of the Baptist Irish Society.
Limerick, Nov. 16th, 1827.

stronger and stronger. The priests command that there should be no dealing with those who leave them; that their money MY DEAR SIRS, should not be received for provision, and AGREEABLE to your desire, I send you an- that no one should have any communication swers to the queries which you sent, and whatever with them, but to be hooted and which I put with some additional ones to abused; this you will see by the Major's the Itinerant and Sabbath readers. Some letter. I can most confidently assure you, have not yet come to hand. You have them that there is the greatest anxiety in the answered in their own hand-writing, which people to read the Scriptures, to hear the I believe to be strictly true, from what I gospel, and to educate their children, and have seen and heard, and as they are pious, that they think it the greatest hardship to zealous, and devoted men who have hazard-be prevented by the priests. One of the ed their lives in the glorious cause these queries which you put is, "what evidences facts are supported by a letter from Major are there of the priests' influence being lesColpoys which I send, who is one of the sened." I think very great. The people most respectable gentlemen and magistrates wish for, and wonder the government does in the county, which would be affirmed by not interfere for them, and prevent the proothers if necessary. This is a cause for gra- ceedings of the priests, that they and their titude even from me, as they are the acknow-children may enjoy the benefits offered them ledged fruit of the Lord's blessing on my by Scriptural instruction and education. (See humble labours, they were benighted, they Thos. Bushe's and Pat. Guning's Journals.) were deluded papists. What a happy change! This is a very general idea and opinion. Read their Journals, count the multitude of Notwithstanding all the priests say or threatmiles they travel, the hundreds, the thou-en, the people hear and speak, but not to sands to whom they read and expound the the extent they otherwise would, for fear. Scriptures in the English and Irish lan- The Society had grent difficulties to conguages, the numbers taught to read them. tend with in the commencement, and since, M'Namara, the Irish teacher and Sabbath not only from opposition, but for want of a reader, alone says, "that when he has eight sufficient supply of suitable agents, to work completed whom he is now teaching, he with. I had only one sent a Protestant will have 104 finished capable of reading school-master when I commenced the Sothe Irish Scriptures." Great anxiety and ciety's labours in these parts, all the rest enquiry have been excited by their labours. were papists; now I have only one popish Multitudes have been led to doubt the truth school-master, and he can hardly be consiof popery, and some have turned away, great dered one. The Lord having greatly blessnumbers would, were it not for fear of star-ed the labours of the Society, they now vation and death; but the people will get only want support, and a continuance of His

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approbation and blessing, which he has pro- | is also something very conciliatory in his

mised on his own word, and I have no doubt but that He will open the hearts and the hands of his people, to come forward in aid of His most glorious cause, against antichrist, the great enemy of his blessed Son, and the deceiver and destroyer of immortal souls.

I have only just returned after a long tour of preaching and inspection; with this I send a statement of the schools, and list of Itinerant and Sabbath readers under my superintendence, established in the counties of Clare, Galway, Tipperary, and Limerick. From the severity of the weather, the lateness of the season, and the rigorous and unabating persecution of the priests, I scarcely expected to find any children in the schools, but they exceeded my expectations. Some were doing extremely well. I came upon them unexpectedly, and found all right, In one of the female schools a little more than three months established in place of one elsewhere, broken up by the priest, several of the girls repeated 10, 12 and 18, each to the amount of 217 chapters: they have an excellent mistress, well worthy of encouragement, and very extraordinary. I am informed the priest has become very friendly to the school, and consequently it will increase and flourish.

W. THOMAS.

manner, the result not only of natural good temper, but (I should hope) of Christian principle.

I consider Thynne as very inferior, in point of talent as well as in acquaintance with the Scriptures, to Ryan, and you may remember I was somewhat disappointed in him when he first came here on trial; but now after keeping a very close eye on him ever since his arrival, and subjecting him to the inspection of some who would be glad to point out a fault in him, I am convinced he is a man of sound religious principle, sincerely desirous to do his utmost in making the word of life known to his benighted neighbours, and labouring hard to enable himself to do so. He attends my morning lectures at the schools twice a week, and at the Sunday school here, and the Sunday evenings lecture. In our lectures at the schools (where I proceed by propounding questions on the portion of Scripture read more than by any direct exposition of them,) I refer to Thynne for parallel texts on every subject, and he has acquired great facility at pointing them out. In short I am now so well satisfied with his desire to be useful in the cause of religion, and his gradual improvement, that though he is still far inferior in talent and in knowledge to some of your other readers, I should if called on by the Society for my opinion, recommend his being continued. As to the distance to

From Major Colpoys, to the Rev. William which he itinerates, and which I believe you

Thomas.

Ballycarr, Dec. 3, 1527.

MY DEAR SIR, IN consequence of the inquiries you have been making respecting the Society's Scripture readers. Í take this opportunity of stating what I know of those now on the borders of this county. I know nothing personally of Bushe or Nash, but I am well acquainted with their proceedings from good authority; they have both undergone a great deal of persecution, yet they have continued steady to their engagements, and active and zealous in the cause they have espoused; and you must be pretty well aware now what firmness of mind and devotion to the cause, are necessary to enable them to bear up against the violent efforts, made, not only to alienate the minds of all their neighbours, but even to excite (as is often done), their own families to the greatest animosity against them. Your other readers, Ryan and Thynne, I have known personally for some years. I look on Ryan to be the most talented man of them all, well versed in the Scriptures, quick and clever at referring to apposite texts on every occasion, and I believe very sincere in his religious professions. There

thought too confined, I cannot help differing
in opinion with you. The district in which
he acts is a very populous one, two Market
towns, Sixmilebridge and Newmarket, the
Clare, and several of the most populous
large and populous village of Kilkishen and
hamlets in the county being within the circle.
He goes occasionally to Mr. Synges, eigh-
teen Irish miles from hence. I am entirely
of opinion that a smaller circle would he
better than a larger one.
cannot read the Scriptures, frequent repeti-
With people who
tion is necessary. "Precept upon precept,
line upon line," otherwise they will forget,
before a second visit from the reader comes
round, what they learned from the first; and I
should think it the duty of the reader, where-
ever he has reason to think some religious
impression, or some removal of error, may
have been brought about in an individual or
in a family, to follow it up. I am anxious to
embrace the opportunity of transmitting this
by a person just departing for Limerick, and
must conclude with kind regards for your-
self and Mrs. Thomas, in which Mrs. Colpoys
cordially joins, assuring you that I remain
always truly yours,

J. COLPOYS.

Queries respecting Augustine Thynne, Irish and English Scripture reader to the Baptist Society for promoting the Gospel in Ireland.

1. WHAT is the character of the Itinerant ? He brought with him from his former abode, a certificate of his honesty, sobriety, diligence and general good conduct, signed by Rev. F. Blood, T. Mahon, Esq. and Sir A. Fitzgerald and others, gentlemen well known to the Society's agent in Limerick, as men who would not lightly afford their signatures to any document, of whose truth they were not well assured. Since his arrival at Ballycarr, he has been under the immediate and constant inspection of Mr. Colpoys, who looks on him as a man of a pious disposition, sincerely devoted to, and zealous in the cause in which he has engaged, and though by no means so gifted in talent as some others of the Society's readers in Clare and its neighbourhood, yet winning his way gradually amongst the people (even those who dared not at first, admit him into their houses when threatened by their priests) by his mild and conciliatory manners and disposition..

2. Whether wholly employed or on Sabbath days only?

Wholly employed itinerating in the day time, and at night teaching those boys, who (now grown up and obliged to labour with or for their parents,) cannot attend the school in the day, and also assisting at the Sunday school at Mr. Colpoys'.

3. What the extent of his circuit? His circuit is very irregular. He goes in one line eighteen Irish miles from home; viz. to Mr. Synge's tenantry and others; but in no other direction does he go above five and a half Irish miles direct from home, quite far enough in my opinion. His district is thickly peopled, containing two market towns, one large village and several very populous hamlets.

4. How many people is he in the habit of reading to?

About 250 families, consisting on an average of five persons each.

5. Are there any evidences of real piety in the persons to whom he reads?

There are appearances, (God only knows how deep or how lasting the impression) in several. Some have purchased Testaments with a view to study the word themselves, and see whether these things are so;" and many declare their confidence and trust in the blood of Christ alone for pardon and salvation.

6. Whether the influence of the priests has diminished?

Considerably many persons now gladly receive Thynne, who would not (when threatened by their priests,) at first admit him

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inside their doors. Two families who were very determined against, are now his most eager hearers, and there is every reason to hope, that some of them have profited much. The priests are violent in their opposition as ever.

7. How many have separated from popery through the means of the reader?

But one amongst his hearers has done so, and that man had I believe already some idea of the errors of popery, but was still regular at mass, &c. till he came here. The society may not be aware of the difficulties a poor man has to encounter here in leaving the Romish Church. Not only all his neighbours dre stimulated by the priests, to avoid all communication with him, except to annoy him, but his own family become his bitterest enemies. If he be a labourer or tradesman he will obtain no employment from his Roman Catholic neighbours, nor has he much chance of it from the Protestant gentry, for they are thinly scattered through the country, and many of them insensible to the distresses of a man so situated, and careless abouf their cause.

Thynne has given instructions in reading the Irish language to twenty-four people.

To the Rev. William Thomas.

Muynoe Scariff, Dec. 4, 1827.

REV. SIR, SINCE my last, I have endeavoured upon every opportunity, to spread abroad the knowledge of the glorious Gospel amongst my own poor benighted countrymen, and, blessed be God, I have been well received considering the great opposition manifested against, me by the Romish priesthood, who have used every influence in keeping their flocks in the grossest darkness and most abominable superstition.

I have seen the queries which you sent to be answered.

Query 1. I extend my labours to the extent of ten miles, and go into distant and different houses in the great mountains of Capabawn, in the parish of Menoe, and Turkena in the parish of Feacle, O'Gonally, Enniscaltra, &c. &c.

2. As Sabbath and evening reader.

3. I read generally to fourteen families, containing I believe seventy persons, who listen with the greatest attention, and evidence in their lives and conversation that the word of life has in a great measure wrought on them, by their openly disapproving, and discountenancing, even in others those sins which were once their own darling sins.

4. Indeed, there are none, who have aetually relinquished the Popish masses, through my immediate agency; yet there are very many who openly evidence that they

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rid of it until I can reach home, and obtain
a little rest. The personal kindness that I
have experienced in every place, demands
my grateful recollection, and the houses of
all denominations of Christians (including
in some instances the Parish churches) have
been opened to me, and I have enjoyed con-
siderable enlargement in my work, so that
I would fain hope my labours have not been
in vain. The weather has been for some
time very inclement, and I am disappointed
in consequence of it, in my expectation to
leave Scotland to day; I hope, however, to
leave to morrow, and in a few days to reach
Clonmel, once more to erect my glad Ebe-
nezer. O for the blessing of God to attend
all our exertions. I am yours very affec-
tionately,
STEPHEN DAVIS.

Erratum.-In the list of Contributions in the Chronicle for last month, for George Lister, Esq. read Daniel Lister, Esq.

Glasgow

Paisley
Greenock

....

12 12 0

£404 10 2

CONTRIBUTIONS.

By Mr. Ivimey.

From the Crayford Ladies' Aux-
iliary Society, by the Rev. Mr.
Blakeman

Collection at Collingham

......

Clark, Esq. Nottingham... Auxiliary Society, Potter-street, by Rev. John Bain

........

By Mr. Burls.

£ s. d.

3 3 0

4 1 0

1

0

4 13

7

In addition to the above, the Edinburgh Bible Society granted to my application 501. worth of Testaments, which is the second grant of that amount within three months; and the Perth Bible Society, had just before sent 50l. to Mr. West for our Society; so that Scotland has this year contributed 5541. 10s. 2d. which I believe is a greater amount than upon any former occasion. Some of our esteemed friends were very ap-Collected at Rev. Mr. Jarman's, prehensive there would be a great falling off in our subscriptions, on account of the times, and the numerous applications for Ireland; but they are highly gratified to find their apprehensions were unfounded. I have preached twenty-six sermons for the Society, besides others upon ordinary occasions, and have had to endure considerable fatigue, especially for the last month, during which 56, Lothbury; Rev. J. Ivimey, 51, DevonI have had a severe cold that is still very shire Street, Queen Square; and Rev. G.' heavy upon me, and I do not expect to get Pritchard, 16, Thornhaugh Street.

Nottingham, by the Rev. Mr.
Yates.

...

24 0 0

Subscriptions received by W. Burls, Esq.

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