CONTRIBUTIONS, Received on account of the DEBT of the Baptist Missionary Society, up to NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. Towcester SOMERSETSHIRE. Ragland 5 10 6 Brighton, Bond Street 1 0 0 WARWICKShire. 5 06 Nantyglo.................. 12 8 36 1 3 Bridgewater 2 10 0 Andover. Burton 1 0 0 SCOTLAND. 0 5 6 0 St. Fergus 1 Garden, Mr. John...... 0 10 6 Subscriptions and Donations in aid of the Baptist Missionary Society will be thankfully received by W. B. Gurney, Esq., and S. M. Peto, Esq., Treasurers, or the Rev. Joseph Angus, M.A., Secretary, at the Mission House, Moorgate Street, LONDON: in EDInburgh, by the Rev. Christopher Anderson, the Rev. Jonathan Watson, and John Macandrew, Esq.; in GLASGOW, by Robert Kettle, Esq.; in DUBLIN, by John Parkes, Esq., Richmond Street; in CALCUTTA, by the Rev. James Thomas, Baptist Mission Press; and at NEW YORK, United States, by W. Colgate, Esq. Contributions can also be paid in at the Bank of England, to the credit of W. B. Gurney and others. IRISH CHRONICLE. LIGHT IS BREAKING. As promised in our last, we continue the extracts from Mr. Dallas's letter; though they must be few, as the acknowledgments of contributions to the Relief Fund are so numerous this month. It will be seen however that these extracts confirm the sentiment placed, as a motto, at the head of this paper. A right sense of the fact thus confirmed, will supply additional motives to our friends to put the Committee in possession of the means to supply both the temporal and the spiritual wants of the people. Referring to the causes which have tended to produce the decided change which he noticed, Mr. Dallas observes: "The first of these which I would mention is the imperceptible effect of the proximity of the true light. This effect must find its way, even through the deepest darkness, after a long continuance of enlightenment around. The system of Romanism tends to keep up a separateness between the Roman Catholics and the converts to truth who have left them; but the fact that a great number in various parts have come out from Popery has called attention in a decided manner. Many judicious efforts seem also to have been made, by various means, to break down the wall of partition behind which Romanism would fain imprison its victims; and from what I have gathered in some parts of Ireland these efforts appear to have been blessed from on high, to the furtherance of that freedom of thought which has made very many Irishmen bold enough to withstand the power of the priest himself, or to evade its requirements when it is put forth in connection with their religious habits and feelings." In connection with this he mentions the labours of the Irish Society, who employ teachers of the native Irish tongue, as eminently useful: "In my recent visit to Ireland I was anxious to gather evidence of the real amount of good done by this society; and I may truly say that in reading the reports of its progress 'the half was not told me.' I examined several collections of readers and teachers belonging to the society, and conversed with many individually; and the amount of scriptural knowledge, as well as the tone of feeling manifested, was entirely satisfactory and far beyond my expectation. The indirect result was also evident amongst those who were not connected with the society in any way. I found a readiness to bear with a plain speaking out of truth concerning Romanism where I least expected it: and more especially, I found amongst a large proportion of those with whom I conversed, a feeling that the book of God ought to be read-a strong sense that the priests were wrong in preventing the people from being taught to read it. Hardly anything seemed to be more frequently referred to as a grievance than the cursing for reading the bible in Irish." The influence of the calamity which has fallen on the country is naturally adverted to by this gentleman. It was not so extensively felt in October last, when he wrote, as now. If at that time the moral effect of it was obvious, surely at this time it must have become tenfold more deep and extensive. Mr. Dallas, in the following remarks confirms the statements which we have repeatedly made, on the authority of the reiterated assertions of our agents, to the same effect: "While the mind of the Irish Romanists is in this condition, it has pleased God to visit the land with the severe scourge now hanging over the people. The fearful state of distress resulting from the entire destruction of the potatoes can scarcely be exaggerated; and those only who are acquainted with the habitual destitution of the Irish can form anything like an estimate of the sufferings they will have to undergo. The feeling is very strong amongst them that the famine is the judgment of God for the sins of priests and people, as they commonly express it; while the notion entertained of the share which belongs to the priests makes it much larger than that ascribed to the people. Some very boldly say that the conduct of the priests is of itself enough to call God's wrath down upon them. Whatever may be the degree to which they are thus influenced, it is very S apparent that a great crisis is at this moment passing upon the minds of the people of Ireland, on the result of which their future condition greatly depends. They are in a transition state-all the bonds that have long bound them are loosenedand the agony of instant distress sets them free to turn to any call that points them to a rest in the agitating confusion which distracts them. While our rulers and the efforts of private benevolence are combining to supply the food that their bodies require; surely it becomes Christians to remember that Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.'" For the present we leave this remarkable letter. More yet remains to which we can return at some future time. Meanwhile we implore our friends to continue their prayers and support. Amidst the destitution, now so dreadful, opportunities for doing good, in every way, abound yet more and more. Ye who love the Saviour, and pity dying men, help us to take advantage of the present crisis, to spread the gospel through Ireland. Surely now you may become co-workers with God. Mr. BATES, who has accepted the call | ciples, which are generally found among the of the newly formed church at Banbridge friends of liberty, and which tend to invigorate to become their pastor, in his recent the mental faculties, and foster independence communications describes his labours and enterprise. and success in his new sphere. The attendance still keeps up. Considerable opposition was made at first, but now we have a perfect calm. Our opponents find it to be to their advantage to be silent. You will be pleased to hear that I baptized three persons the other day at one of my country stations. PROGRESS OF WANT. I know that the south and west are very far worse than this as regards hunger. But even here the loss of food is severely felt. "Come in, sir," they have said, "and see my misery;" and truly their misery is great. I have seen their pale looks, and heard their children cry for bread. In some cases there was not a spark of fire on the hearth. My heart bleeds for those in the west, for I know what they must suffer! WORTH ATTENTION. I have been through every county in Ireland except two or three, and can therefore form a tolerably correct opinion of the state of the people. The north is different from every other part in regard to intelligence, trade, and enterprise. No one who resides here can know the temporal and spiritual condition of the people in the west. To get correct notions of it, he must live among them, visit them in their cabins, and some times sleep there. Still even there the people are improving. They are wonderfully changed since I knew them first, about thirteen years ago. THE NATURAL EFFECTS OF POPERY. There is more of independence of mind in the north. Generally speaking they help themselves here as long as they can. In the south and west, many will put the worst face in front. A Romanist population seem always to be socially and morally degraded. They are destitute of these ennobling prin Mr. HAMILTON, in writing from Ballina, December 14th, after a missionary tour through his very extensive district, states how he was cheered by ENCOURAGING TOKENS OF SUCCESS. I preached at Tullyglin, Mountain River, Cartharn, and Easky. In each of those places I observed weeping and praying, of whom previously there seemed to be no hope. I then on the 1st visited and inspected the school at Crossmolina, where I also preached. The next day at Scurmore, and the day following at Mullifary. In most places the attendance was encouraging. On the 9th I preached at Coolaney; and I trust the walls of Zion are about being built up there. SEED THOUGH LONG BURIED IS NOT LOST. About a fortnight ago, Ambrose Pugh, who has been teaching one of our schools for nearly thirty years, was baptised and added to the church here. I asked him one day, how it was that he had been so long acquainted with the truth and the Lord's people, and never joined himself to them. He replied, "The fact is I had no real religion until a severe illness came upon me about there years ago, when the Lord brought me to feel my need of salvation, and led me to look to Jesus." He is an amiable old man, and repeats scripture with great accuracy. Our excellent and indefatigable brother at Conlig, whom God has so greatly blessed in turning sinners from darkness to light, is still going on successfully. The church under his care is peaceful and prosperous, and, as the following will show it is, A CHURCH INCREASING, On Lord's day, January 3, I baptized two persons at Conlig, who were both added to the church. One of them is from Donaghadee, and for many years he was a highly esteemed member of a presbyterian church, and active in Sunday-schools. I regret that he resides so far from us, but there is reason to hope his efforts in the town where he is well known and esteemed will be blessed. The other person is a young woman, who, though brought up in connexion with the established church, was never in fellowship with any religious community. Mr. HAMILTON is at present on a missionary tour, which takes in Aughavoy, Tubbermore, Coleraine, and Carrickfergus, from which we expect him home in a few days. WILLIAM HAYDEN, the reader at Kilcooley Hills, in the Clonmel district, and where there has been a church recently formed, which now consists of fourteen members, in writing to his superintendent Mr. Wilson, describes the nature and result of some STRONG BUT FOOLISH OPPOSITION. There has been great inquiry at C about Christian baptism, which caused the rector to deliver a discourse on the subject. Some who heard his reverence laughed us to scorn. But they heard your lectures; their voices are changed, and now they are searching the scriptures to see whether these things are so. Notwithstanding the strongest opposition from this quarter, I have constant opportunities of conversing with the people; and many doors of usefulness among my benighted fellow countrymen, who have been bound by forms of will-worship after the commandments of men. We beg to recommend to very particular attention the following extracts from Mr. MULLARKY's last report. The facts are startling, and they strongly indicate the course which the feelings of the peasantry are taking. They confirm the views of Mr. Dallas, and they show most strikingly the duty of all the churches helping to spread the gospel in Ireland. COMINOUS SIGNS. In the church of Rome here, there are two opposite principles striving for the mastery-infidelity and real religion. That the priests have lost much of their personal influence amongst large masses of the people is clear from these facts. The priest of this parish, who is reported to be a wealthy man, was repeatedly robbed on the highway within the last few weeks. In the pocket of a man lately arrested, the police found a document which showed that a party intended to murder the priest of a neighbouring parish. These outrages are greatly to be deplored; but they are the natural result of priestly tyranny, and a denial to the people of the word of God. On the other hand, those who are inquiring after, or are influenced by religion, seem determined not to be hindered as formerly, from holding religious intercourse with Christians of other denominations. I might adduce many instances; but for the present let one example suffice. A family living here, lately left the church of Rome. After the husband had avowed his change, the wife continued to attend the Romanist chapel. The priest called upon her, and addressed her as follows, as nearly as I can ascertain :-"I hear that you have also left the true church, and why have you done so ?" She replied,-" In comparing my husband's conduct, with what it was, I observed a great improvement. Formerly he was careless about his children and family; no prayers at home. But since he became a protestant he has tried to bring up his children in the fear of the Lord; and now we have family worship night and morning. This seemed to me to be very good; and what is good is from the Lord. It led me to consider too; and I don't regret the steps I have taken." The priest said, "Yes, what is good is from the Lord;" and left without any further observation. POSTSCRIPT. We point to the list of contributions to the Relief Fund, which now exceeds Eighteen hundreD POUNDS, with unmingled satisfaction. The amount has surprised ns; and we think it will surprise our readers too. Then it has come in so freely. The gift has been spontaneous. There seems to have been a general recognition of the apostolic precept, Freely ye have received, freely give. The agents can now give to those who are perishing without regard to sect or creed. A great burden has been thus removed from their minds. Their situation has been a most trying one indeed. It is less so now that they can relieve to a much greater extent, than when we last wrote. Every care is taken to distribute the money economically, for the calamity spreads wider every day, and will increase for the next three months. We therefore urge continued collections. Mr. M'Carthy has relieved families |