Subscriptions and Donations in aid of the Baptist Missionary Society will be thankfully received by William Brodie Gurney, Esq., and Samuel Morton Peto, Esq., Treasurers, or the Rev. Joseph Angus, M.A., Secretary, at the Mission House, 33, 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 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 account of " W. B. Gurney and others." IRISH CHRONICLE. BREAD OF LIFE. To procure "the meat which perisheth," man must labour and toil. The fallow ground must be broken up; briars, thorns, and weeds rooted out; good seed cast in, and then the providential blessings of dews, rain, and sunshine, are necessary to develop the life of the future plant, and to ripen the fruit. These facts are frequently used in scripture to illustrate the great work of preaching the gospel. Men's hearts and minds are likened to the soil, evangelic teaching to the process of culture, eternal, saving truth to seed, the Holy Spirit's influence to dews and rain, and conversion to God and a holy life to the ripened fruit. The analogies are both obvious and striking. In the former case we cannot have the result without the previous process. Neither can we in the latter. We must have people to preach to, men of God fitted to the work, uncorrupted truth to declare, and the divine blessing to give success. Alas, how much ground in Ireland has never been broken up at all! It is almost a desert. Its moral aspect is far worse than its physical. There are but few spots of moral cultivation and verdure on which the eye of Christian benevolence can repose. The popular mind of Ireland is like ground full of weeds, and briars, and thorns, in which little but what is pestilential can grow. The wonder is that all virtue has not been destroyed, and it speaks much for the people that they exhibit so much, considering their ignorance of divine truth, and the disastrous influences which have pressed upon them, from all sides, during many centuries. Our society has done something in this field. Its numerous schools, its pious and intelligent readers, and its faithful band of devoted missionaries, have reclaimed here and there a portion of the wide waste. Oh that our means were adequate to our wishes and the present opportunities of doing good. The Committee have, notwithstanding their yet narrow resources, taken a bold step. But boldness is often prudence, and a sacred daring the highest wisdom. Reader! ponder what follows. It is a resolution adopted at the last meeting of the committee, and not without deep and earnest consideration. May it soon appear to be a step which God approves. "That this Committee, cheered by communications from the agents, in different parts of Ireland, which indicate that there is, at the present time, an unusual readiness to hear the gospel, think it desirable that a few ministers should be requested to visit that island for four, five, or six weeks, according to their convenience, with a view especially to out-door preaching, and that the Secretary endeavour to make arrangements that two should go to the south, two to the middle and west, and two to the north." What! exclaims one, perhaps many may, when your funds do not adequately sustain your present plans, plunge into fresh engagements! Yes, but remember this is not a permament one. It is an experiment, and justified by the present state of public feeling in Ireland. But how is the expense to be met? We hope it will be no charge on the general fund. If four friends will each send £25, five £10, and ten £5, the thing is done, as far as expense is concerned. We fully anticipate special contributions towards this object. Be they small or large, they will be devoted to it, and remember that object is to give to the perishing the bread of life. Mr. HAMILTON has been greatly encouraged during recent labours. His inquirers' classes have produced fruit. Extracts from his letters of July and August may well be entitled, MORE GOOD NEWS. Eight of our inquirers have applied for baptism, and I think as many more will do the same very soon. I have no doubt now that the hand of the Lord is in this movement. In addition to their deep poverty, these poor persons are suffering much. They are stoned, mocked, hissed at, and dirt of the most offensive kind is thrown upon them in the street. Persecution has increased much this week in consequence of my having baptized three converts from popery last Monday evening. I expect to baptize several more next Monday, so that we look forward to bitter opposition. I trust the Lord will support these people in the time of trial. If encouraging tidings come from the far west, other parts are not silent. Abbeyliex speaks again. Listen, reader, and mingle your gratitude with your devoted missionary, Mr. BERRY, to the Giver of all good. ANOTHER INGATHERING. Yesterday, July 18th, I had an open-air service, and baptized Mrs. H. As is usual on these occasions I was surrounded by a large concourse of protestants and Romanists. If possible, their decorum and deep attention were greater than ever. I saw several respectable and intelligent Romanists present for the third time. I am sure a better motive than mere curiosity brought them. At the close of the service I announced that on the first Lord's day in the following month I should have a similar service. The notice was received with evident delight. Wishing to preach the gospel to my fellow countrymen who will throng to these services, arrange for them as often as possible. Such cheering tokens for good are not confined to these spots. The north gives up," and Mr. MULHERN gladly and gratefully speaks of success, while describing the labours of himself and his assistant. It will be seen that persons are not received without satisfactory evidence of genuine piety. A SMALL BUT FRUITFUL FIELD. The indications of usefulness at all our stations are encouraging. An increasing desire to hear the gospel is evident. I baptized two at Conlig recently, and they have since been added to the church. One had applied two years ago, but we considered the party had not sufficiently clear views of the doctrines of the gospel. Though living five miles off, this friend continued to attend, and has now been added to us with confidence. Our congregation, instead of declining from the prevalence of disease and mortality, has rather increased. One of our members was removed last week to that land where the inhabitants never say they are sick. The desire to hear the scriptures and to listen to instruction of which we have given the most ample evidence for some time does not diminish. JOHN MONAGHAN's last report contains another illustration of this. ANXIOUS INQUIRY ABOUT THE TRUTH. The Romanists manifest at present, the greatest desire to hear the scriptures read and explained. There is hardly a day passes that some do not apply to me for a bible, a testament, or some tracts. They are also becoming constant attendants at our meetings, and some are beginning to apply for baptism and church fellowship with us. This we think it right to postpone for the present, that we may have good proof of a real change. As they are becoming more enlightened, so they begin to feel the yoke of bondage under which they have been so long. The following facts reported in ENEAS MC DONNEL's report for July will be read with interest. That light is breaking in on the minds of those who have long sat in darkness cannot be doubted. It is also interesting to observe the struggle which takes place between the attachment to superstitions long cherished, and the impression which truth makes on the minds of those who begin to see it. An instance of this appears in the following INTERESTING CONVERSATION. Since my last I visited many families of Romanists; among them M. M.'s. He was sick. Two of his daughters and three women, neighbours, were in the house. One of the women was a Carmelite, and said to me, she was very glad that I came in time to join them in prayer, for that she was just going to say the rosary, and, said she, "You may do worse than join us." I said I had no objection to do so if I was allowed to offer the first prayer. To my surprise she consented; and after I had prayed, strange to tell, the rosary was forgotten. SINGULAR MIXTURE OF TRUTH AND ERROR. The Carmelite said to me that she was well pleased with the prayer, and that she believed in the Lord Jesus with all her heart, and that nothing vexed her more than that any one should think that she trusted in any other than Christ as a Saviour; "but," said she, "you omitted the blessed virgin in your prayer. I would love the preachers well, but for that one thing, their disrespect to the queen of heaven." I then quoted many passages of scripture which declare Jesus Christ to be the only Saviour. But she contended that the virgin had the greatest influence over her Son, who granted all that she required of him. I write to inform you that the priest spake in harsh language from the altar against those persons who were sending their children to the school. When he found that his threats had not the desired effect, he adopted another plan to knock the schools upside down. On Thursday last, July 29, to my great surprise four gentlemen entered the school without any ceremony. They began by asking the children to whom they belonged, and where they lived. I said to Mr. D., the parish priest, that the children were in terror, and that it was very unbecoming in gentlemen to enter the school to annoy myself and the children. He said it was his duty to come and look after his people. This priest and Mr. M., priest of Kilglass, ordered off the children on the spot. The younger children began to scream, fearing the priests would beat them with their whips as they went out into the streets. I ordered the children to sit down; more than thirty did; but in spite of all I could do some of them got out of the window, rather than be beaten. They acted in a similar way at the female school after they left my house. I have only had a few children these few days past. The usual attendance is over sixty. We now direct the reader to something more pleasing; though the preceding narrative is no wise discouraging. Such opposition will soon work itself out. It only impedes the good cause for a time. In the end, it will be found that violence helps the spread of truth. It proves that the efforts of its friends are making an impression; and arbitrary proceedings provoke a spirit of resistance wherever truth has taken any hold of the mind. A READER'S JOY. I am glad to inform you, writes RICHARD MOORE, that the spirit of inquiry still grows. I have had many applications for the Bible; and those who ask for them declare that the priests shall never exercise the same power over them again, or deprive them of the book which God has given to them to make them wise unto eternal life. I trust we are not too sanguine, for we must wait patiently for "the early and the latter rain." A STRUGGLE FOR SPIRITUAL FREEDOM. It is glorious to see so many poor Romanists striving to shake off the iron yoke by which they have been burdened so long. I trust the Lord is working a great work among the people. Many are reading the word of life carefully, and the more they read, the more they see the folly of popery. One of these told me a few days ago he had made up his mind to join us, as he was persuaded we were following Christ. He is proving all things, that he may be able to give an answer for the hope that is in him. I hope he will soon be able to speak in the name of the Lord. This week there came a man from the mountain who has given good evidence that he has seen the nakedness of Rome, and has come right out from her. May the Lord hasten the time when all shall know him! STRIKING CONTRASTS. I have to inform you I got on well, after performing long journeys in various parts of this district during the past month. Many whom I visited seemed glad to hear the sacred word from me. I met with many also who opposed the truth. But the Lord Jesus helped me in his goodness and power, so that many of these acknowledged that their calamity is God's anger for their sins. A SICK CHAMBER. I find very many more serious and desirous to hear the word these last times than before. I went into a house where many people were. The man of the house was very ill. I read the word of truth to them, and prevailed on the sick man to fix his thoughts on Jesus. He began to weep, cried out that he was a great sinner, and implored for mercy and pardon. "You remember," said he, "that you gave me a testament some time ago. I used to be reading it, and I greatly liked the fine reading that was in it. But a friend of my wife took a liking to it, and carried it away to read it too." "Well," I said, "put your trust in Jesus, of whom you read in that book, and he will save your soul." He exclaimed, "My trust and hope is in Jesus Christ." THE LOSS MADE UP. When I went out of the house, the wife followed me and said, "he desired me to get a testament, that our son may be reading for him." She came the following day to my Manning, Mr.. L. A. Y. house, and I gave her one. A few days after the man died. Since writing what precedes we have received another communication from Mr. HAMILTON. While rejoicing in the conversion of sinners, feelings of indignation will arise at the brutal violence which has been displayed; and all will devoutly pray that the divine presence and grace may be vouchsafed to these converts that they may continue stedfast in the Lord. DOINGS AT BALLINA, I write a line to let you know the state of our poor people here. On the 2nd I baptized three, and on the 9th two, persons, all of whom have been brought out of the darkness of popery. This has enraged the priests. Last night, as one of the poor women that was baptized was going home from this, she was met by two women and a man. One of the women caught her by the hair and pulled her to the ground, and the others kicked her in the sides and back, and bruised and injured her greatly; and having pulled hair out of her head, told her to go and get cured with the £10 she got from Mr. Hamilton. I brought the doctor to see her this morning, who says she is very ill. But she is a patient sufferer, and commits herself to the Lord. Our people generally are suffering greatly from the popish party, who throw stones and dirt at them in the streets, cry turn-coat and dipper, and set on them with dogs. You see, dear brother, we need the sympathy and prayers of God's people. CONTRIBUTIONS SINCE OUR LAST. GENERAL PURPOSES. Lugsden, Mrs... Berkhampstead-Mr. Baldwin 1 0 0 Wincanton-Mr. Day's pupils Andover-Mrs. Westlake 0 10 0 Mitcham-E. Pearson. Colnbrook-Ditto.......... 0 10 0 0 10 0 Subscriptions and Donations thankfully received by the Treasurer, EDWARD SMITH, Esq. 60, Old Broad Street; Rev. J. ANGUS, and by the Secretary, Mr. FREDERICK TRESTRAIL, at the Mission House, Moorgate Street, London: and by the pastors of the churches throughout the Kingdom. |