taries.

Dublin, Oct. 28, 1829.

MY DEAR SIRS,

I arrived bere last night, and as Mr. West's packet is not gone, I embrace the opportunity to send a line by it. I hoped to he in Scotland by this time, but in consequence of the Reformation Society having a deputation coming to Clonmel, consisting of Lieutenant G. and another gentleman, it was particularly requested I would not leave until after their meeting last Wednesday. The same night I received a letter from Thurles, that our esteemed deacon there, Mr. Benjamin Langley, was dying, therefore I had to go to T. next morning, and found he deceased the night before.

thing very publicly or extensively having | From the Rev. Stephen Davis to the Secreoccurred, in the way of opposition to our proceedings. One school, that had hitherto escaped without opposition, has been particularly noticed by the priest of the parish, and is considerably reduced; but most of the others are going on well. I am now fully occupied with my inspections, being anxious to see all the schools before the general digging of the potatoes; and I am happy to say, though it is not more than two months since the last inspection, that the children in many of the schools have answered very much to my satisfaction. Among those already examined, in one school seven premiums of Bibles and seven other premiums were merited, and in another eight Bibles and thirteen other premiums. In many other cases Bibles were obtained, and the most strenuous exertions were made by the individuals, many of whom were labouring in the fields during the day, and at the Testament at night, in order to secure the Bible, that they might have it to read during the coming winter. And I would here take the liberty of suggesting, that on the next application that is mas ade to the Bible Society, some marginal Bibles requested, for in every case, that is now what is solicited by any of the grown children and adults who have merited them. Before I quit this subject, I must express my regret that I have not received any thing in the way of premiums but some copies of the Pilgrim's Progress, the fifteen shillings worth of books for the Dean-street school, and paper from Mr. West. I have repeatedly mentioned this subject, hoping that if my letters appeared in the Chronicle, some kind friends would assist, and save the Society some of the expense which it will cost for paper; for as my old stock of premiums is exhausted, the amount for paper will be considerably increased, if the present system of committing and retaining Scripture in the memory be pursued.

The children will thankfully avail themselves of the opportunity of learning to read, write, and cypher; and the girls, needlework; but they must have other encouragement to commit the Scriptures; and half a quire of paper, or a small book, is deemed ample compensation,

I have already permitted eight of the teachers to open each a night school, and about four more will be opened in the direction that I am travelling this week. Whether the state of the country will warrant their continuance, remains to be proved. I am not very sanguine of this, but as so many pressing applications were made for them, by persons desirous of enjoying the opportunity, I could not resist them.

J. WILSON.

On Friday he was buried in the churchyard, when the rector read the burial service, and I addressed the attendants, among whom were a good number of Roman Catholics, by whom, as well as the Protestants, he was greatly respected. On Lord's day I preached at T. and the funeral sermon in the evening was attended by a respectable company. It is a sore loss to the little interest there, as he was the father of it,

am

looked up to in that character by all the families. There are very few with whom I am acquainted so truly ornamental to the gospel, and so pet rfectly acquainted with its distinguishing doctrinee and the principles of our denomination as our late friend was; and he had such a happy talent for conver sation on the doctrines of grace, and such a meekness of disposition, that many beard the true gospel of Christ from him who. probably never heard or could hear it any other way. O that God would appear for his own cause, and raise up many more such for his glory!

Mr. Hamilton arrived at Clonmel the day I left, for which I am very happy.

S. DAVIS.

After giving you my last letter on the 14th ult. I proceeded to inspect our schools in the neighbourhood of Ballina, Foxford, and Turlough. During my stay in that part of the country, I availed myself of many favourable opportunities of conveying religious instruction to poor, ignorant, misled Roman Catholics, by conversing with them, in their own language, on the most import. ant of all subjects, many of whom are anxious to hear me speak about the doctrine of the atonement, particularly those with whom I was already acquainted; and I have rea

in

son to believe that my labours among them were not in vain, as I remarked many of the people of the several villages that passed through, manifest a desire more than usual to hear the Scriptures read to them.

M. MULLARKY.

tural instructions to several persons that were then present, as all the assembly paid great attention while I answered all their questions from the Scriptures. This day read portions of the Scriptures for a sick On the 16th, as I was travelling conveni- relative, which seemed to give great consoent to Strade, about five miles beyond Fox-lation to her and all that were present; and ford, a poor woman asked me was I the I am invited to come there as often as my friar's (that lived in that neighbourhood) time will permit. brother. I then asked her why. She then told me, that she came the day before seven miles, for the purpose of getting an office read for her son who was at the point of death, and he refused giving it until she would give him five shillings for his service; The following lines are printed, not on that as she had no money, she was obliged account of any poetical excellence, but to to go home again to borrow it, and that it shew the influence of the Scriptures on the failed her to procure more than three shil-mind of a young man educated in the Church lings, but that she had a pledge to leave him for the remainder, until she would be of Rome, only eighteen years of age, lately able to pay him. She hoped if I was his employed as a Scripture Reader. brother, I would intercede with him to accept it. I told her that I was not, and after a long conversation prevailed on her to return home, and commit the cure of her son to Him who hath the power of healing all manner of diseases: and I advised her to buy nourishment for her son with the money she had. She returned apparently well satisfied. O may the divine blessing accompany the circulation of the Scriptures, which is able to banish idolatry and superstition from this benighted land.

On the 17th, called to see E. H. late the teacher at Croughan; he seemed to be very much recovered from his illness since I saw him before. When I asked him how he did, he told me that he was prepared to meet Jesus Christ his Saviour, and that he saw no consolation this side of the grave, but from what was revealed in the precious promises of the gospel; and also said that he knew that if his earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, he had a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

When I came to that neighbourhood again on the 29th, I found that he had changed his earthly habitation the day before. From his conversation, the account that I got of his death, together with the Christian firmness with which he objected against the mark of the beast, &c. I have reason to believe he is inheriting the mansions of bliss. This poor man about eight years ago, when he was employed by the Rev. Mr. Wilson at the request of Col. J. to teach at Croughan, was destitute of the least shadow of scriptural knowledge, and was consequently very much prejudiced against the truth, being at that time a rank, rigid Roman Catholic.

I leave a faith in which my fathers trod,
A faith repugnant to the word of God;
Where headstrong millions, ab! too blindly

ru,

To meet a fate which Heaven commands to shun.

Thanks to my God, the all-cheering rays of
truth

Beam with full lustre on my doubting youth,
Illume my soul, and point the righteous way
That leads from earth to never-ending day.
While fear had kept me 'neath a base control
A Gothic darkness brooded o'er my soul;
Drear was the prospect, everlasting woe,
And short the days of sinful man below.
But the Almighty, whose propitious grace,
Abundant, fell and blest a rebel race,
With friendly pity saw, and deign'd to pour
A stream of mercies in that painful hour.
Within my heart the heavenly influence grew,
And truth refulgent beam'd before my view.
My fetter'd reason fled the fraudful den,
Where souls are kept by base and sinful

O mazy error! O deceitful gloom! Destructive power more dreary than the tomb,

On the 7th instant, attended at a wake in this neighbourhood, for the purpose of read- How long will men, with sense and reason

ing portions of the Scriptures, and had a favourable opportunity of conveying Scrip

b!est,

Remain enshrouded in thy sable vest?

What must avail the learned works of Paul,
The pangs of Christ, who spilt his blood for
all,

When sinful millions, to their interest blind,
Stop up the car, whilst error fills the mind?
O, would they stop to pause, as I have done,
Upon the race they blindly strive to run,
The blood of Christ for nought had not been
spilt,

Its gushing streams would wash away their
guilt.

O how can men the spouse of Jesus guide Whose hearts are callous with the vice of pride;

Who make a traffic of the goods of God,
And force opinion by invective's rod?
Christ says his kingdom is of heavenly birth,
That all is short and transient on this earth;
Terrestrial glory shortly disappears,
And man decays and withers on with years:
But Christ decays not, "was and is the
same;"

'Tis he alone our greatest works should
claim.

The proud, the sordid, covetous and base,
Were never favour'd with the sign of grace;
Can he who'd deluge his own house with
blood,

Make Heaven's decrees and wishes under-
stood?

Can those who dare to glory in their shame,
Adore with rev'rence God's eternal name?
If drunk'ness, pride, and whoredom are no
crimes,

If murder cease to stigmatize the times,
Then Popish guides can safely lead us on,
And preach the will of God's eternal Son.
But let me say, how different is the case,
On such misdeeds God never pour'd his
grace;

To prayers iniquitous, he shuts his ears,
His eyes are clos'd to unrepentant tears.
But God was always merciful and just,
Restrain'd his wrath from crushing sinful

dust;

Instructs the weak their long-lost God to
find,

And by his counsel calms the doubting mind;
Is such a guide as ancient Christians saw,
When chosen Peter gave the Gentiles law;
The indulgent master, and the steady friend,
Strong to reprove, and faithful to commend ;
Devout observer of Jehovah's word,
Concern'd in nought but what concerns his
Lord;

Where such a guide is, doubting man, repair;
Religion's balm shall heal your sorrows
there;

Exalt your soul, and point the blest abode,
Where reigns supreme your Father and your
God.

Gave man e'en teachers that proclaim his 56, Lothbury, Treasurer ; Rev. J. Ivimey, 14,

will,

Adore his name, and rev'rence virtue still.
Yes, gen'rous B**, God's peculiar care,
Who makes his house the residence of

prayer,

Southampton Row, Russell Square; and Rev. G. Pritchard, 16, Thornhaugh Street, gratuitous Secretaries.

Subscriptions and Donations in aid of this Society will be thankfully received at the Baptist Missionary House, No. 6, Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, London: or by any of the Ministers and Friends whose names are inserted in the Cover of the Annual Report.

BAPTIST MISSION. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

CALCUTTA.

Quarterly Letter from the United Missionaries to the Committee, dated May 13, 1829.

Dear and respected Brethren, We have the pleasure of submitting to you an account of our operations for another quarter, and hope it will be found satisfactory. It contains a simple statement of what we have done, or intend to do, should our lives be spared; and whilst we labour in the service of our Lord, we hope to enjoy the benefit of your prayers, that these labours may be crowned with more abundant success.

CALCUTTA.
NATIVE WORK.

months ago, some have left Calcutta, others entered situations which prevent their coming; some have disappeared we know not why, and others continue to attend more or less frequently. Now and then we are refreshed with what appear attentive, thoughtful, and interested hearers, who not only assent to the truth of what they bear, but

scem to have some sense of their sin and danger. Of this kind there is a Mussulman who has attended several months, and whose impressions so far as we can discover, are becoming deeper and deeper. Another person who is also a Mussulman, has more recently commenced attendance with much regularity and apparent interest. From his first coming he has appeared to be the subject of conviction for siu, and to listen to the gospel message with a considerable degree of pleasure as what is suited to his case. He visits our native brother Soojatallee, and at present conducts himself so as that both these persons may prove the geto encourage our hopes respecting him. Oh

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT.

In reference to this department of labour, we wish we could give a more pleasing re-nuine sons of Abraham! port than what these pages will convey; though we desire to feel grateful to our ever gracious Redeemer that we are able to say As the church in Circular Road had been any thing calculated to afford encourage- waiting with anxiety a considerable time for ment. We endeavour to persevere accord- the return of brother Yates, they immeing to our ability, and feel a satisfaction in diately on his arrival, invited him to the the thought that the word of life is made pastoral office, which they considered him known to considerable numbers, some of virtually to have sustained before bis dewhom hear with attention, and we sometimes parture. And it was the unanimous opinion think with profit, though we do not hear them crying out, "Sirs, what must we do ?"

of the brethren that he ought to accept of it. Under such circumstances, with the Owing to our esteemed brother Carapeit united voice of the church and his brethren having been latterly very much engaged in calling him to take this charge, he thought Missionary operations in villages to the it his duty to submit to their wishes. We eastward, our strength has been diminished all feel that it is a pity for a person who in Calcutta: still, however, services for the has acquired the languages necessary to benefit of Hindoos or Mussulmans, are con- communicate religious knowledge to the uaducted on most days of the week, some-tives, to be in a great measure prevented times in the morning, at others in the even-from preaching to them by engagements in ing, and some days morning and evening. English; and yet we know not how it could The attendance varies, and so does the with propriety possibly be avoided under deportment of the people. Mussulman pride present circumstances. and enmity to the gospel, sometimes dis- The church is in a peaceful state and we cover themselves in no small degree, but hope will continue to increase in its numthis only tends to evince the hadness of bers, gifts, and graces. Two have been that religious system which fosters them. baptized, a native and an Indo Briton, since Of those who were stated hearers a few brother Yates' return, and three or four

We have taken the subject of the translations of the Scriptures into serious consideration, and bave resolved now, that brother Yates is returned to us, to devote to it a considerable portion of our attention.ject being now happily accomplished, we We are maturing a plan which we trust will effectually promote our usefulness in this department, and propose to submit it to you at a very early period.