obscure part where he is, his life and property are in danger; for since the severe beating which he and his wife received, an attempt has been made to kill his horse; and another to destroy his crops, by breaking down the fences and letting in cattle. He is therefore resolved to sell the land, and proposes living in Sligo, which will be a suitable place, so far as the Society is concerned. If this be not objected to, before October, by the Committee, he will go to Sligo. I may observe, relative to the beating he received, that it is generally supposed, and he himself is now of the opinion, that it is in consequence of the land he holds, and not because he is a Reader of the Scriptures. Captain Rock seems to think that farmers should live by their farms, and those otherwise employed, by that employment. The following are the names of some of the teachers who might be employed as Sabbath Readers in my district, at a salary of 41. per annum :-J. M., P. G., G. W., and M., a brother of the former, who is not a teacher, but a well conducted young man, who, with his brother, read his recantation about six months ago, having left the Church of Rome long before that time. I might add more names of men of whom I think well, but would rather be too cautious than too precipitate. Yours affectionately, J. WILSON. From the Rev. Mr. Briscoe. Agreeably to the instructions of the Committee, I have examined some persons for Readers of the Scriptures. S. B., as an inspector and reader, and D. and M., as Sabbath readers, were appointed before I was informed that the Committee wished to reserve the appointments to themselves, leaving to us merely the recommendation of persons who might appear to us suitable for the employment. In addition to them, I would recommend E. H. of Crogher, W. c. of Ballinagur, and W. M'A. of Mullafary, to be employed as Sabbath readers. After a short time, perhaps, it may be advisable to employ one or more of them as Inspectors and general readers; but I do not recommend this at present. I know of no others whom I could consistently recommend at this time; indeed, suitable persons are but seldom to be met with, so that there is no fear of our sinning by excess. I continue preaching occasionally at Mullafary, Kilmacktige, Faskey, Finnid (a new station), and Killala, to numerous congregations, besides my regular engagements at home. The spirit of inquiry and the desire for learning are both certainly on the increase. I can assure you, from my own personal knowledge, that the operations of our Society are dreaded by the Popish Clergy in my district, and they are using all the efforts that malice, and artifice, and priestly domination can supply, to prevent their legitimate effects. But after all, "God is stronger than the devil," and our Emanuel must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The present aspect of the Society's affairs calls for our expressions of gratitude, and should urge us to renewed and increased exertions. May the work of the Lord prosper in our hearts, and his pleasure in our hands! Yours, affectionately, J. P. BRISCOE. From the Rev. Wm. Thomas, to the Secretaries of the Baptist Irish Society. Limerick, August 16, 1827. MY DEAR Brother, Ir is with sincere pleasure I proceed to inform you, that through the Lord's goodness I have been permitted to realize the hopes which I expressed in my last, as to the forImation of a church in this town. Last Lord's day six of us united in church fellowship publicly, in the presence of the congregation. After a discourse by Brother Wilson, from Acts ii. 41, 42, and 47, who, with our good friend Mr. Jackman, were present on the occasion, we gave to each other the right hand of fellowship. MY DEAR SIRS, The church then proceeded to elect me as My last was written to you from Kilfera, their pastor, after which, we united in one of the most western and remote parts of "shewing forth the Lord's death." Bro- Ireland. I trust my late journey there will ther Wilson preached again in the evening, be, as my former ones were, of the greatest, from the Epistle of Jude- -"Earnestly and I will add, of inexpressible importance, contend for the faith which was once deli- for until then the blessed book of God, from vered unto the saints." The services of all I could learn from the people, was never the day were interesting, and will, I trust, seen nor heard of, nor the sound of the lifebe productive of good. Our commencement giving, soul-saving Gospel ever proclaimed, is small, but "who hath despised the day nor a school which affords that instruction of small things?" I earnestly solicit, for which is able to make wise unto salvation myself and for our little church here, your ever established, in scores of miles of a prayers, and the prayers of the Committee, country of the most dense population, envethat "the little one may become a thou-loped in perpetual gloom and delusion ; sand, and the small one a strong nation." like brutes they live, like brutes they die,” but I fear a worse consequence. The improvement of the school, the anxiety to learn, not only of the young, but of the old, the gratitude of the people, the unwearied diligence of the Society's master and reader, John Nash, and the excellent character the people gave of him, made my heart glad, and grateful to God. and is of the most material consequence in several respects, of which the Committee appeared aware, by their Report of 1826. I have returned now from the East, from Nenagh, Clough Jerdan, Barrosokeen, Arbour Hill, Shraduff, &c. where I have been preaching and expounding, and sometimes under the hedges and on the roads, I met a gentleman from Limerick at Kil-in ships, in parlours, and in cabins, wherekee, who went with me to the school at Kilfera: when he saw the incredible improvement of the children in the Irish Scriptures, and the facility with which they translated them into the English language, who never knew English before, and the old people reading, and learning to read the Irish Scriptures, anticipating the most happy consequences, and seeing the great and general want of instruction, he said, "this is a school of the greatest possible importance; here is a small subscription for your Society, I wish I could afford to give more ;" expressing at the same time great pleasure and satisfaction. He is a good man, whose heart the Lord opened, and consequently his pocket. If we had some of our good rich English friends over here, we would open their pockets in the same way, for "seeing is believing." I trust from this school several will go forth that will be a great blessing to that very remote and dark part of the country. I encouraged several to read the Irish Scriptures to their neighbours; numbers gather together for that purpose. When I was at Kilfera I went down to Kilkee, and preached five sermons and gave two exhortations, and had several conversations with the people the week before last. I had an argument before several papists with one of their champions, for several hours; they all gave it against him. All the doctrines of popery were considered; I never saw more of the great evil of infant sprinkling, or as they call it, baptism. He asserted that "it was it, and penance that were the two planks which brought the shipwreck of nature to the heavenly shore ; that baptism did away natural, and penance actual guilt;" but I shewed them that those soul-raining, Christ-degrading falsehoods, had no foundation in the word of God, no, not a single verse to give them the shadow of a colouring, and that from the Irish and English Testaments; and pointed out the errors of the Douay (which he quoted), by referring to the Greek, and comparing the Testaments with the Douay. Some persons shrugged up their shoulders, shook their heads, looked surprised, and went away when done. Several came to me by night, like so many Nicodemuses, to be instructed from ten to twelve o'clock. I wished I could have stopped longer in the west, but appointments obliged me to leave. My knowledge of the Irish language was ever I could get an opportunity. I had not Mr. S. asked a new sect. I an swered, that if he consulted the third chap- prove the power of God, and the wisdom of ter of Matthew that he would then know God in their salvation. On the Friday something of their antiquity: they smiled, as I thought, approbation. Ever yours most truly, From Mr. Stephen Davis, Jun. to Mr. Ivimey. Bristol College, Sept. 1st 1827. MY DEAR SIR, evening I preached at Littleton, a nominally Protestant village, about four miles from Thurles, where we could never obtain an entrance before; the people collected in a cabin, and listened with the deepest interest while I endeavoured to state the leading truths of the Gospel to them, as simply and plainly as I was able, and I have reason to believe my visit there has been for good. Upon the whole I am much gratified that I HAVE just returned from my visit to Ire-mortal soul is converted by my humble I went to Clonmel; and if but one imland, and as you kindly took a disinterested instrumentality, I shall be amply compenpart, in advising my going to preach in my sated for my labour. The state of things father's district, during his absence, I con- generally through the country is cheering; sider myself bound to make you acquainted there certainly is a greater thirst for reading with the leading particulars. I spent five the Scriptures, and obtaining religious inSabbaths in Clonmel; the congregations were struction now, than was ever known before: very encouraging, and far better than the dry bones have manifestly begun to anticipated, considering the long absence of my father; several individuals attended on the Lord's day, who were never in the habit of attending before, and I was favoured with much liberty in preaching unto them, the unsearchable riches of Christ. I feel it right, however, to inform you, that my conviction is if I were to continue preaching regularly in Clonmel for a few months, the congregations would not be so good as they were during my short visit; many having attended from the mere novelty of the circumstance, and others being in the habit of worshipping in other congregations. I spent one Sabbath at Thurles, and intended spending another there, but the unexpected return of my father, who arrived at home on Friday, brought me back to Clonmel, that might spend it with him, as I was obliged to leave home on the Monday following. The attendance at Thurles was likewise very encouraging, and on Thursday evening we had even a better congregation than on the Sabbath; several Roman Catholics were present at each service, which circumstance has caused "no small stir," both among priests and people. May the Gospel, which they then heard, in all human probability for the first time, shake, but still there is much to be done, and unless the Redeemer's servants cry mightily, "Come from the four winds, O breath of the Lord, and breathe upon these slain that they may live," and perseveringly employ the means which are likely to accomplish the important object, what has already been done towards the moral renovation of Ireland will prove comparatively nothing. Your affectionate Friend, S. J. DAVIS. CONTRIBUTIONS. Per Mr. Richd. Sinnock, Battle £20 0 J. G..... .... Two years Donation, Bond-street, 918 2 5 5 0 Subscriptions received by W. Burls, Esq. 56, Lothbury; Rev. J. Ivimey, 7, HeathcoteStreet, Mecklenburgh-Square; Rev. G. Pritchard, 16, Thornhaugh-Street MISSIONARY HERALD. 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. of an innumerable multitude of your fellowcreatures, who are in bondage the most appalling, bondage to a cruel taskmaster, at the sight of which your heart is ready to burst with grief, but to relieve you and them, at a little distance you discover a most lovely individual, who has commenced We insert with much pleasure the work of emancipation, by laying down a the following extract of a letter wretch, breaking off the galling fetter, and mighty sum, and going from wretch to from Mr. George Pearce, one of bestowing the blessed boon of liberty; the the last Missionaries who left this ransomed collect together, and shout the Or imagine country for the East, to his friend praises of their deliverer. the Rev. S. Whitewood of An- with the dead bodies of the spoiled and yourself in a large valley that is covered dover, who was his companion in mangled slain, and while you are surveying study at the Stepney Academical this affecting sight, you suddenly perceive Institution. one and another rising to life, and an evident movement through all the host. Such "After four months spent amidst the scenes as these are presented in India. The perils of the ocean, I find myself on the Sun of Righteousness is dispelling the long-desired shore of India, still under clouds, the Redeemer is delivering the capthe constant care of au ever-indulgent God. tive, the dead are rising to life. O blessed We landed here on the 22d of October, Gospel, what hast thou done? Blessed Saafter a voyage, in every way (with the ex-viour, what hast thou done for rebellious, ception of sea sickness) as pleasant as we miserable sinners! O sway thy sceptre all could possibly have expected, and met with the world around! a most hearty reception from our dear Mis- "But, leaving figures, I will come to sionary brethren. I hasten to tell you, my facts, and confine my remarks to Calcutta. dear W. that I feel quite satisfied with the Thirty years ago, there was scarcely a Chrisprovidence of God in conducting me to this tian, or any sign of Christianity in Calcutta, country, and more than this I hope, for I whether among Europeans or natives. Now, trust I consider it a privilege, and am daily besides six episcopal churches, there are thankful for it. At present I am enjoying five dissenting chapels, and to say the least, every temporal blessing (excepting my be- two or three hundred pious people. The loved relatives), and certainly more spiri- Sabbath is also beginning to be reverenced tual, than most of my brethren in England, among the major part of the Europeaus, for in whatever direction I turn my eyes, although it is a lamentable fact, that Eurothere I behold the evidence of the fulfilment peans seem to feel themselves under much of that delightful promise, I will give the less restraint in this country than in Europe. heathen for thy inheritance, and the utter-Yet, in consequence of the labours of Mismost parts of the earth for thy possession.' sionaries, many are brought to a sense of Conceive yourself in a place that has been their duty, and I trust there is an impulse for centuries obscured with midnight dark-given to the whole of the English populaness, where now at length the sun begins to tion. The churches are well attended, dawn upon the wretched beings who dwell Missionary efforts are in much better repute there, and his rays emerging from the break- than formerly, and wickedness that would ing cloud. Think of standing in the midst formerly stalk the streets with the utmost effrontery, is now, in a manner, obliged to hide its head. The number of heathen converts is not so great as among the English; yet there are so many, and of that kind, as greatly to encourage the hearts of Missionaries. The wonder, I conceive, ought not to be that so few are converted, as that so many become Christians. The difficulties are immense in the way against heathen converts. My Pundit is a Christian, in consequence of which, his wife has been taken from him by his friends, and kept a close prisoner; he has been separated from her now, I suppose, several years. There is another individual, who has just come in to the Missionaries for protection. Some few months ago he signified to his relations, that he intended to become a Christian; in consequence of this he was seized by them, and has been kept in close confinement till, a few days ago, he contrived to make his escape. His friends have found out his retreat, and have been in a body to the house of the Missionary, and have besought the poor man not to injure them so much as to break their caste for a Hindoo, in declaring himself a follower of Christ, not only loses caste himself, but causes his family to lose caste also. There is reason, therefore, to wonder that so many become Christians, rather than that so few are converted. "There is now in Calcutta a great spirit for hearing the Gospel among the natives; in different parts of the city there are no less than six Bengalee chapels in our own connexion, and many others belonging to other denominations. The places are frequently well attended, and the congregations listen with much more attention than formerly. I have been out with Paunchoo (who is a most excellent native preacher), when he has collected a large congregation in the open air, who have listened with great apparent attention and interest. It was exceedingly delightful to me to see the nods of assent that passed through the assembly, as the preacher pursued his subject, and at the close, to hear them inviting him to visit them again. The natives consist chiefly of Hindoos and Mussulmans: although a Hindoo has many more difficulties to prevent his embracing Christ than a Mussulman, yet, notwithstanding, the number of Hindoo converts is much greater. A Mahomedan is found to have the most inveterate hatred to Christ, which is seldom overcome. The Missionaries laboured here several years before they received from the Mahomedans the least fruit of their labours; at length a Moonshi confessed himself a Christian, was baptized, and has proved himself to be a most valuable character. "It gives me the greatest pleasure to state, that so far as I have been able to observe, the Missionaries of all denominations here seem to be zealously devoting themselves to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom; and I think I do not exaggerate, when I state that they exceed in piety the generality of dissenting ministers in England. This fact, I conceive, augurs well for the spiritual interest of India. With regard to my own prospects, things have been so far arranged, that I am to occupy Mr. Eustace Carey's station in India as soon as the Bungalow is rebuilt. Here I shall be situated, altogether, in the midst of a native population; my chief work will therefore be native. On the Sunday I shall have to supply an English congregation at Howrah. Brother Thomas's time will be occupied with the English in Calcutta, and as much native work as he can do beside." Extract of a letter from Mr. Robinson to the Secretary, dated Calcutta, April 9, 1827. "You will have learned from my former communications, that things were gradually reviving in the Lall Bazar; and I am now happy to state, that down to the present period nothing peculiarly discouraging bas occurred. I have, through mercy, been able to proceed in my work in a regular manner, without any material interruption from illness. None of the services mentioned in my former letters, have been relinquished ; but I have not been able to undertake any additional ones; nor do I feel able to undertake more. English preaching, in my case at least, requires much time and thought, and it is only by dint of labour, I am able, in such a place as Calcutta, to keep up a congregation. We have no strength to spare here; we have three chapels, (I include Howrah) and three missionaries. It were to be wished, we had more help; for in a country where illness frequently occurs, it is desirable to have a reserve. hope, that generally speaking, things are going on very well in Bengal; at least I am not acquainted with any thing distressing. Brother Thomas has, it is true, been very ill, but he is now quite recovered, and able to resume the duties of his station. Burton has met with great encouragement since his return to his station, and I believe he is going on very cheerfully. Poor man! his loss was severe; he needed something to console and encourage him; and the Lord has been very gracious to him. A young man lately sent up to him from the Serampore college, seems likely to become a valuable fellow-labourer. We have had no addition to our church this year; and at present, I |