priest who most violently opposed the work at Ventry, and who by his harangues stirred up the people to insult and ill-treat the converts, has been removed, and our enemies are comparatively at peace with us; indeed, the people are beginning to feel that the conduct of the converts puts them to shame. We have, in some instances been obliged to have recourse to the Law for protection-in every case have succeeded, but in no instance have the converts enforced the penalty. One of our poor men was waylaid during the winter, severely beaten, and narrowly escaped with his life. He knew the person who did it. The case was taken up by the government; and at the petty sessions, the man was found guilty, and bound over to stand his trial at the Quarter Sessions. In the meantime, it pleased the Lord to bring his wife savingly to the knowledge of the truth, and she had no rest in her spirit till she succeeded in obtaining our consent that the prosecution should be dropped; and when it was obtained, she went herself to the enemy of her husband, and told him that he was freely forgiven. I cannot omit mentioning the following circumstance, in which the providence of our gracious God was wonderfully manifested in preserving the life of one of our poor men. He was engaged in quarrying stones for the church, when a part of it fell, and buried him for upwards of an hour, under at least twenty tons weight of stones and rocks. He was at last discovered, dreadfully mutilated and insensible, apparently dead: after remaining in this state for a long time, he at last showed symptoms of life, on which the greatest anxiety was manifested by some of his relations and others, to have the priest brought to him, and one man earnestly asked him, would he not desire it. The poor man was unable to speak; but making a violent effort, he raised his hand, and pushed him away, and, when able to speak, made a good confession before a crowd of Roman Catholics, that his trust was not in man, but in the Lord Jesus alone, the great High Priest; in such an hour, and under such circumstances he was tried and found faithful. He is now seen walking about his native village of Ventry, giving glory to God, to the utter confusion of his enemies. We further contemplate to build in connection with the Mission, a "Refuge," for young men who have renounced popery, and been cast off by their friends, to afford them the education necessary to qualify them for being Scripture readers and schoolmasters; and if any shew sufficient talent and piety to prepare them for college, eventually to become ministers to preach the Gospel in the Irish language, in order to meet the wants of the people wherever occasion may require, and of which institution there is nothing similar in Ireland at present. The estimated expense of the building is £250. In conclusion, I would add, that the support of the Mission, including the salaries of the Scripture readers and schoolmasters, and the other expenses of reclaiming the farm which the trustees have taken from Lord Ventry, who is much interested in the work, must necessarily be derived from the source from whence they sprung, the blessing of God, and the assistance of Christian friends in England and Ireland. A SAILOR'S TESTIMONY TO THE WORTH OF MISSIONS. Some people may imagine that the testimony of missionaries as to the success of the Gospel abroad is partial, and such as should be received with caution; let us now, however, look to a different quarter for evidence on this head. The Rev. Stewart Hannah, whilst travelling from Portsmouth to London on one of the coaches, in the summer of 1838, was annoyed by a blustering, swearing tar, just landed from his ship. Having rebuked him for swearing, he then entered into conversation with him. "Where have you been, my man?" asked Mr. H. "Better ask where I have not been," answered the sailor. "Have you been at New Zealand?" "Yes," was the reply. "What kind of people are they there?" "Naked savages," said the tar. "Well, and what do they do." "They eats one another," was the answer. "Were you at the Bay of Islands?" "Yes, sure; the carpenter painted the ship's stern there." "Well," said Mr. H., "are they killing and eating one another there?" "Why, man," said the sailor, with evident indignation at the question, "don't you know that the missionaries are there?" "Well and what kind of people are they at the Bay of Islands?" "Why the natives are as well clothed as any of us, and have as good food, and the Sunday is as well kept," and he added with another dreadful oath, "aye, and a great deal better." Coarse as this testimony is, every one must surely see its value. SELECT PASSAGES. "Here, in my opinion, lies one of the greatest secrets of prac tical godliness, and the highest attainment in close walking with God; to come daily to the fountain set open for sin and uncleanness, and wash, and yet to keep as great a value for this discovery of forgiveness as if it were once only to be obtained and no more." -Halyburton. "Virtue is nothing but voluntary obedience to truth; and sin nothing but voluntary obedience to falsehood."-Dwight. "Austin, before his conversion, could not tell how to be without those delights he then found so much contentment in; but after, when his nature was changed, when he had another spirit_put within him, then he says, 'Oh! how sweet is it to be without those former sweet delights.' THE BIBLE. Whence but from heaven, could men unskill'd in arts "WAS LOST, AND IS FOUND.” My faith, and hope, and peace are fled. "My God in mercy hedg'd me in, I turn'd away, and would not hear. ""Twas better I should try the scheme "To paths of peace I turn my feet, And welcome home his wand'ring child. DRYDEN. EPAPHRAS. |