Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

the minister, founded upon 2 Cor. ii. 16; | Annual Report of all religious and benevoafter which Mr. Allison, of Ogden, gave an impressive sermon to the people, from 1 Cor. xvi. 15, 16.

Met again at six, P. M. when Mr. Bond preached a very animating discoutse, founded on Ps. xxvii. 4.

These services were numerously attended, and from the intense interest which was kept up through the whole, it is hoped that the refreshing presence of the great Head of the Church was felt by many.

NEWPORT, MONMOUTHSHIRE. The English Baptist Chapel at Newport, Monmouthshire, was opened for divine service, June 30th, when public worship began at 7 o'clock in the evening, Rev. J. Evans, Caerleon, read and prayed; Rev. T. Waters, M.A. Worcester, preached from Dan. ix. 9. July 1st, at ten, Rev. J. Lewis, (Independent) commenced by reading the Scriptures and prayer; Rev. R. Hall, M. A. Bristol, preached from Isa. liii. 8.

At three in the afternoon, divine service was conducted in the same place in the Welsh language, when Rev. J. Williams, Trosnant, engaged in prayer; and Rev. C. Evans, Cardiff, preached from 1 Pet. i. 12.

At six in the evening, Mr. T. Steadman, Bradford, read and prayed, and Rev. R. Hall, M. A. preached from Prov. xxii. 2. The different services were exceedingly well attended, but in consequence of the heavy rains which fell during the whole of the day, many were obliged to deny themselves the pleasure which they had previously anticipated.

July 5th, Lord's day morning at eleven, Mr. Waters preached again in the above chapel, and immediately after the sermon, eleven persons were baptized on a profession of their faith, making the number of members in fourteen months, thirty-one. "May this little one become a thousand, and this small one a strong nation."

CUDDINGTON.

On Wednesday, July 22, a plain, commodious Baptist meeting-house was opened at Cuddington, Bucks. Mr. Clarabut, of New Mill, Tring, preached in the morning, from Ps. xlviii. 9; Mr. Acton, of Wingrave, in the afternoon, from John vi. 37; and Mr. Copley, of Oxford, in the evening, from Eph. xii. 20, 21. Messrs. Butcher, Gunn, Howlett, Hopcraft, Dodwell, and Tyler engaged in the other services of the day.

NOTICES.

The "District Visiting Society" are desirous "to obtain as far as possible the last

lent Societies and Institutions about the metropolis," and we are requested by Mr. Browne, the Secretary, to inform our readers, that those who have it in their power to procure, and will kindly forward such Reports to him, will materially assist the operations and designs of this Institution.

The annual meeting of the Essex Auxiliary in aid of the Baptist Mission, will be held (D. V.) in the new room in the Lionwalk, Colchester, on Wednesdy, the 7th day of October. The chair to be taken at eleven o'clock. Also, two sermons will be preached, in aid of the funds of this Institution, at the Baptist meeting house in Eld-lane ; one on the Tuesday evening, by the Rev. E. Carey, and the other on the Wednesday evening, by the Rev. George Pritchard, of Keppel-street, London. These services will commence at six o'clock.—We wish likewise to inform the friends of Missions in this town and its vicinity, that a public meeting for special prayer, for the success of this and all Christian Missions, will be held in the abovenamed place of worship, on the Wednesday morning; and we do most devoutly wish, that meetings of this kind may be more generally held, in connection with all our Anniversaries.

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1829, the Anniversary of Shacklewell Chapel, Stoke Newington Road, will be held, when two Sermons will be preached, that in the afternoon at three o'clock, by the Rev. T. Price, of Devonshire Square; and that in the evening at half-past six o'clock, by the Rev. I. Manu, M.A. of Maze Pond. After each service collections will be made towards liquidating the debt on the chapel.

N. B. Tea will be provided in the vestry.

The Anniversary of the Bristol Auxiliary to the Baptist Missionary Society, will be held on Tuesday, the 27th of October, and following days. The Rev. S. Nicholson of Plymouth, the Hon. and Rev. G. H. R. Curzon of Ledbury, the Rev. John Dyer, the Rev. Eustace Carey, the Rev. Christmas Evans, &c. are expected to attend. The public meeting on Thursday morning.

The Anniversary of the Baptist chapel, Regent-street, City-road (opposite Pickford's wharfs), will be held (D. V.) on Wednesday, the 7th of October; when Mr. Rees, of Crown-street, Soho, has engaged to preach in the morning; Mr. Coleman, of Colnbrook, in the afternoon!; and Mr. Heap, of Bury-street, in the evening. Service to commence, in the morning a quarter before eleven, in the afternoon a quarter before three, and in the evening at half-past six o'clock.

OCTOBER 1829.

THE circumstance of the Treasurer not being able to meet the demands of the expenditure for the Michaelmas quarter, by a very considerable sum, makes it necessary for the Committee to call upon the long and often-tried friends of the Society to render them their prompt assistance. It would be cause for painful regret if, at the period when increased and extended exertions are required in Ireland to propagate evangelical instruction, the Committee should be compelled to reduce their number, either of the Readers of the Irish Scriptures, or of their Schools, for want of pecuniary supplies.

[blocks in formation]

Limerick, Aug. 20th, 1829.

MY DEAR FRIENDS, On my return from England I called to see a young lady in Dublin, Miss Mary Anne B. late of Camas, and sister to the present proprietor of that place. I found her just on the borders of eternity, after nine months' painful confinement to her bed. She rejoiced in hope of the glory of God, could not bear the idea of returning to the world, nor did she wish to speak to any one that might mention it to her. She told me that she felt sorry, when a short time since it was thought she might recover; that she would be glad to die, and be with her Saviour, who had redeemed her with his precious blood; that she had a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. She requested I would constantly pray for her, that she might have patience and strength to bear with cheerfulness her heavenly Father's will; that she might not for a moment be suffered to murmur or repine; as for death it had no terrors for her, she bebeld it as her friend. O what a blessed religion is the Saviour's. Here is an amiable young female in the 24th year of her age, of family and fortune, of most respectable connections and prospects, looking down upon the world with contempt, with glory in her soul, anticipating the blissful moment when " to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." She died soon after and her remains arrived here from Dublin, the 31st of July, and the next day, (1st Aug.) I went with her funeral to the burial ground, near her brother's estate at Camas. The following being Lord's day, I preached her funeral sermon at Camas to a large and deeply affected congregation.

During her illness she requested me to write frequently to her, which I did. She had my letters repeatedly read to her, from which she told me she had derived great comfort in her long and trying affliction. She attended my ministry about ten years ago at Kilfinan, which the Lord was pleased to bless to her conversion and eternal sal

vation.

She sought happiness from the world's deceitful prospects and delusive charms no longer. She adorned the Gospel of God her Saviour, and walked before him in holiness and righteousness of life. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, they cease from their labours and their works do follow them." I forbear at present to make any remarks with respect to the schools and places to which I accompanied Mr. Franks. I should wish that not only Mr. Franks had been there, but all our good friends in England, then we should neither want encouragement nor support; the bowels of their compassion would melt on account of the prospects, the miseries, and wants of Ireland.

visited, to which we went last Saturday The West was the last place which we week, and have just returned. I cannot help expressing the pleasure and satisfaction the state of the school at Kilfara has given Nash, the Society's Irish reader and schoolme, and the indefatigable labours of John master there and in the surrounding coun

try.

Mr. Franks and I preached at Kilkee last week. I preached again on last Lord's day evening, the large room, lobby, and stairs of the police barrack were crowded out, and I was informed, a great number went away that could not get in. The congregation was very respectable, it was composed of persons who came to the sea, and several Roman Catholics. I had a good opportunity next day of speaking of the exertions and labours of the Society, to several respectable characters in the street, with whom I was surrounded. They appeared surprised, particularly at so much good having been done in that neglected, dark, and remote district. At the same time I gave

them an indirect lecture.

W. THOMAS.

From the Rev. John Franks, to the Com-
mittee of the Baptist Irish Society.
Limerick, Aug. 24, 1829.

GENTLEMEN,
ACCORDING to your instructions, after

had finished with Mr. Wilson, I went to Mr. Thomas, to see the remaining part of his schools and extensive station.

Ballycar School is in the domain, and under the patronage of Major C. who regularly attends it, and twice a week assembles the children at his own house, to hear them read and examine them in the Scriptures, with which many of them are well acquainted, being able to answer almost any plain question on any part of the New Testament, and the others spell and read excellently.

He also opens his house for Mr. Thomas to preach in. I preached twice to congregations apparently anxious to hear the gospel, and understand the way of salvation provided by the one offering made for sin.

Mount Pelier Female School.-On my former visit to this neighbourhood, this school could not be assembled; it is now conducted by a very clever mistress, educated in the "Mary's Philanthrophic School," who has brought it into excellent order, and is particularly attentive to the improvement of the children, who spell and read well, and many of them have committed from one to forty chapters to memory. Their needlework was examined by Mrs. Thomas, who said it was very good.

O'Brien's Bridge School.-This is large and prosperous, the spelling and reading correct, and many of the scholars have made considerable progress in arithmetic.

Kilfara School. This is in the western part of the county, and one of the most dark and neglected. The present return of scholars is 125, but what is the real number is impossible to say, the school being open to all, adults as well as children, to attend as their employments will permit. More than the returned number were present at the inspection. Mr. Thomas heard 27 of the adults read the Scriptures in Irish, and many of them afterwards translated what they had read into English, and 40 read them in English very well. The son and three daughters of the pious and highly esteemed master, (John Nash) teach the children, and he devotes his time to the youths and adults; and so desirous are they of learning to read, that in the summer season they frequently stay with him till suo-set, and in the winter, as they are unable to do it themselves, he has provided them with candles, and when not so employed, he constantly in the evenings goes into the villages to read the Scriptures, or teach others to read them.

When we were leaving the school, the adults, youths, childreu, and many of the neighbours who had assembled to witness the examination, poured upon us the Irish benediction, "God speed you!" and one little girl ran up to me, and taking me by the hand, with an expressive and solemn

countenance, and in the most emphatic manner, pronounced, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." What were my feelings then, as well as on every recollection of the scene that passed before us, you might imagine, but I cannot describe; I can only say on the behalf of poor and benighted Ireland, thanks be to God for British and Christian benevolence; and for the poor children, "Long life to their English friends."

The school is greatly encouraged by the clergyman of the parish, who often visits it, and in the watering season takes many of the gentry from Kilkee* with him. He highly commended the character and labours of the master, and told us, that be cordially approved of your Society, would become a subscriber to it, and obtain for it all the assistance he could. We preached to the visitors at Kilkee.

John Nash has also been very useful as a Sabbath reader. He told me when Mr. T. first came among them in the west, they knew nothing of the Scriptures. Mr. T. was afterwards instrumental in bringing him to a knowledge of the truth, since which happy change he has read, tanght others to read, and at least partially circulated the Scriptures, from Dunbeg to Loophead, a distance of 25 miles, and where before they had been but little, if at all known. Many applications, while there, were made to us for the Scriptures, and we were informed that, so desirous are those extremely poor people to possess them, that 1000 Bibles or Testaments could be disposed of in one month.

To give an idea of the dark and neglected state of this part of Ireland, I need only mention, that from Galway to Loophead, a distance of about 100 miles, with a large population, the only Protestant places of worship are two small ones of the Established Church, one at Mill Town, and the other at Kilfara; where popish and druidical ignorance and superstitions have in this part of Ireland long maintained an almost unmolested sway. Through the tender mercy of our God (by the labours of your Society) the day-spring from on high bath visited them, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide their feet into the way of peace.'

[ocr errors]

A pious gentleman in the neighbourhood, Mr. C. of Mount Pleasant, told me be bad seen a statement of Mr. T. at your late annual meeting, published in the World newspaper, of the successful labours of John Nash, and which to his own knowledge

* A village about two English miles from Kilfara, and much resorted to as a watering place.

was not the hundredth part of what might have been said; for it would be impossible to state the extent of the good produced by that man's labours. What has been done in the West, is of itself more than sufficient to compensate the Society for all their care and cost; and in closing my reports of their labours and success, I beg to observe, that a general review of the whole cannot fail to furnish the friends of Zion with just cause to say, "The Lord hath done great things for (Ireland), whereof we are glad;" but so great is the harvest, that only a handful of it as yet has been gathered in, and Ireland's perishing millions continue to cry to British Christians, "Come over and help us!"

JOHN FRANKS.*

From the Rev. J. McCarthy.

people. I never saw more seriousness depicted on the countenances of any people. While singing, several joined with us; the soul cheering sound re-echoed from the adjacent hills and groves, and while in prayer, all seemed to be earnestly engaged with the Almighty for his blessing. While standing near the water, the candidate addressed the young persons present much to this effect. "My dear young friends-It is a long time since I have been convinced that I ought to be baptized; I have lived in a state of disobedience to the Lord's command; I believe it is a sin to live in neglect of any of his injunctions. Why are not the precepts as much binding us to this duty, as any other contained in the word of God? I beseech you not to live heedless of what your Lord has said, and may the Lord grant his Holy Spirit to you, that in all things you may show your love to him in keeping his commandments. After baptizing him we Eden Cottage, Kilbeggen, July 28, 1828. returned to the meeting-house. The place was crowded. He was received into the MY DEAR BRETHREN, church, and united with us at the Lord's THIS month drawing to a close, I now re- Supper. The last time I preached at Fersume my pen, briefly detailing circumstances bane, I was much encouraged at seeing the as they have occurred since the 19th June. number attending both morning and evening. Through the protracted affliction of Mrs. After preaching, at the latter service a genM'Carthy, it has not been in my power to tlemanlike person came and shook hands travel so extensively as heretofore. She with me, and said I have heard you preach has been confined to her bed about a week, several years ago. I was told by a friend and ill about a month. Though I have not with whom he came, he had been a Catholic carried the good tidings so far as before, previous to going to the East Indies; that he nevertheless in a circumscribed way I have was converted by our missionaries, and said preached nearly as frequently. I have been to them, "I left a Christian country, meanout paying the masters. They felt thankfuling Ireland, and was converted amongst the to the Society for their salaries. All the greatest idolators." I have had a converschools are in a satisfactory state. The sation with a Catholic this week. He has Athlone and " M'Donnell," or Tullamore lately been at the point of death. School, are increasing in number. I have John," said I, “You have had a narrow preached at both places several times since escape from the grave." He replied, "Troth I wrote last. A person called several times sir, but my age tells me it cannot be long to be baptized, but as I knew his character until I must go to it." I said, "It matters was not consistent, I rejected him as unfit nothing how soon if in a fit state to meet the for communion with the church of Christ. Lord." He rejoined, Truth, but ah how Another person came the same week. I few are fit to meet him." I told him that have known him and his character for seve. all who seek for the free salvation of God ral years, and have had many conversations shall find it, and reminded him of a converwith him on the subject of religion. I be- sation which we had before his illness. This lieve him to be an humble and sincere child was on the doctrine of grace. He said, of God. On the 12th inst. being the day "Yes, but charity covers a multitude of appointed for preaching at Rahue, about sins." I shewed him that could not mean 11 o'clock we proceeded to the river; it was that our benevolence covers the crimes comdelightful to witness the assemblage of somitted against God, but when we possess many clean and respectable persons of both sexes, standing on each side of the river. The day was fine and every way suitable for the occasion. I stood on an eminence, and for about a quarter of an hour addressed the

On account of the ill state of his health since he has been in Ireland, Mr. Franks has left the Society, and returned to England.

"

"Well

the love of God, instead of exposing the sins of Christian brethren, we would rather conceal or cover them. He then said, "We cannot trust to our works, I will rely on the mercy of Christ for my salvation." He is about 90 years of age, and I am of opinion the Lord has had mercy upon him. Is it not a pleasing thing to see some fruit from my imperfect labours? But I have not seen it to the extent I could wish.

[blocks in formation]

At the end of another month, it devolves upon me, as usual, to give some account of my proceedings during that period, under your direction. I have visited the schools in my district twice, and spent the greater part of the time in those places which come immediately under your own inspection. When I read, and lectured, and endeavoured to impress on the minds of my hearers the efficacy of the Saviour's atonement, and declared unto them, from the oracles of truth, the all-merciful counsels of God's redeeming love to perishing sinners, the parents of the children in the vicinity of the schools were highly pleased, and expressed themselves full of gratitude to the Baptist Society for their moral and literary improvement; and some of them are convinced by experience, that the Bible is not that abstruse book which it is represented to be, as they have learned from it the plain, simple doctrines of eternal truth, and warnings against every immoral practice; and many of them have been taught their duty to God and their neighbour, and to look amidst all the trials of time to the happiness of eternity. The conviction which they obtain in the perusal of the sacred volume, or in hearing it read, that in it are some things hard to be understood, does not produce the fatal effect, so confidently predicted by the priests, of their wresting them to their own destruction, but desiring the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby, they receive with meekness the ingrafted word in the spirit of humility.

As it has been frequently remarked by gentlemen and ministers of the Established Church, who visit these schools pretty often, that they are profitable in providing the bread of life to feed the youthful mind, imbibing precepts of pure morality and religion, at an age when impressions are most easily made; they will grow up in the practice of every social and Christian duty, learn the wisdom that is from above, which is first pure, to the sanctifying of their nature; and then peaceable, to the quiet, the peace, and the happiness of society. These prac

tical good effects, I have beard them repeatedly say, are already visible from the benevolent exertions in which the Baptist Society have so long laboured, to diffuse the blessings of education amongst the poor and ignorant, and to send their agents, inspectors, and Irish readers, to publish to them in their own language, the faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

I have also read, lectured, and exhorted in Parkmore, Ballinafad, Easky, Deerpark, Carrack, and Leitrim, where I met with a young man whose name is M'G. and whose brother renounced popery some time ago, and was much persecuted by priest MK. He told me that he imbibed the same principles of his brother. I found him pretty clear in his knowledge of divine truth; he invited me to remain with him that night, and to call to see him every time I should happen to pass that way. From thence I laboured to Drumdaff, to Drumshanbo, and to Drumheriff, where I delivered the message of mercy as usual, and the people seemed eager to hear it, and were so highly pleased that they entreated me to visit them again.

[blocks in formation]
« AnteriorContinuar »