stantial meeting-house, adapted to contain about three hundred persons, and to permit the erection of a gallery. In Andover, with the kind assistance of our independent brethren, and in the immediate neighbourhood, more than £200 have been raised towards the building; and when the case is presented to the public, it is hoped that favour will be shewn to a young interest of encouraging prospects, arising in the midst of so considerable a population. STOCKWELL, SURRY. On the 1st of February last, a Baptist Meeting-house was opened in Stockwell, Surry, raised by the exertions of between twenty and thirty members of distant Baptist churches residing in the neighbourhood of Stockwell; when three impressive sermons were preached by the Rev. Edward Andrews, LL.D. of Beresford Chapel, Walworth, in the morning, from Joshua v. 13, 14; by the Rev. James Hargreaves, of Little Wild-street, London, in the afternoon, from 1 Peter iv. 11; and by the Rev. John Stevens, of Meard's-court, Soho, from Acts xiv. 7, in the evening. A considerable congregation is expected to attend, and a small church will shortly be formed. A proportion of the expense incurred in the erection of the meeting-house yet remains to be defrayed; and contributions, in aid of its funds, will be thankfully received, by Mr. Thompson, 425, Strand or Mr. Gardner, Ironmonger, 17, Chapel. street, Stockwell. ; NOTICES. Berks and West London Home Missionary Society. DECEMBER 14, 1824, a Meeting was held at Reading, to consider whether any measures could be adopted to promote union and co-operation among the Baptist churches immediately westwards of London: when it was resolved to attempt the formation of a Home Missionary Society for the district. On this subject we are requested to insert the following NOTICE. The Meeting for the formation of the proposed Berks and West London Home Missionary Society, will be held at the Meeting-house, Eagle-street, London, on Wednesday, March 9, 1825. The provisional Committee will meet in the vestry, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, when any persons interested in the regulations to be proposed are at liberty to attend. At two in the afternoon will be held A PUBLIC MEETING FOR THE Formation of THE SOCIETY. And at half-past six in the evening, a sermon on its behalf will be preached by the Rev. J. H. Hinton, of Reading. Irish Chronicle. From an Irish Reader, to the Rev. W. I interfered, and requested them to take REV. SIR, Thomas. Ennis, December 14, 1824. You are already aware that I spent part of the first month of this quarter unwell; but, by the grace of God, I was soon enabled to resume my labours, and, as usual, go from house to house, and read and explain the scriptures to the inhabitants of this town, &c. I am now returning from a tour, in which I went as far as Clonmel; and I trust the Lord has helped me, for I thank him I had instances of his blessing on my humble efforts. At Ballabuy I was at a man's house, who was in the habit of reading the scriptures; there followed me a man who was in the habit of reprobating every one that said any thing in favour of them; we accordingly began to speak of the scriptures, and the Lord blessed my words so far as that this man humbly asked me if I would get him a Douay Testament. On the 18th of November I was at the Court-house change, and read and explained three chapters to a very attentive people. I then went to a man's house in Chapel-lane; we were talking of the dean, and of his having burnt tracts and Testaments. I shewed him several passages in favour of reading the scriptures; he told me he had a Testament, with notes, &c. I asked him to shew me the book; he did so with seeming reluctance, and shortly after requested that I would retire; which I did. On the 22d, I was at the Court house, as usual, reading to a great number of people, who seemed, and were sensibly affected, blessing God, &c.; but when I read the parable of Dives and Lazarus, it is impossible to describe the sighs, &c. which burst from them, blessing God, and giving thanks to his name; but I was interrupted by a man who asked me my profession. I told him it was such as the book in my hand, with the assistance of God, taught me. He desired the people not to hear me, and that there was not a word about the Virgin Mary in my book. I mention these circumstances, to let you see that the wicked one is not without emissaries. But the people were so disgusted with his conduct, that they cried out against him, and were likely to fall out with him; but no notice of what he said. These are but singular instances, and very few I meet that are not willing to hear, and the great question is daily increasing, the flame spreading, and I trust the day is fast approaching, that all, from the least to the greatest, will praise and know the Lord. Another instance of great use there is in sending into the highways, &c. and inviting the miserable to the marriage of the Lamb. As I was going to Newmarket, I met a genteel-looking man mounted; we talked on religion. He dismounted, and walked with me from Clare to Newmarket. I first thought he was a priest; but I found by our conversation he was a Roman Ca tholic gentleman from Limerick. He told me he had a Bible in his house, but he never gave himself any uneasiness about religious controversy; that he looked on the clergy as the stewards, and that they must give account and be answerable for the people. I told him Paul said, “ Let every one prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself, and not in another;" and the prophet said, "The son shall not bear the iniquities of the father," &c. Ezekiel xviii. 20. This led him to a minute inquiry, and, consequently, me to an explanation of every part of popery; he declared he never knew there were such things as I told in the Bible, and he determined to read and judge for himself for the future. May the Lord Jesus enable every labourer to cry aloud, and spare not; and to show those who are kept in the region and shadow of thick darkness, and who are striving to save themselves, and trusting in a priestly arm of flesh, that by the righteousness of the law there shall no flesh be justified: and that without him, who is the way, the truth, and the life, we can do nothing. May they recollect that our righteousness is as filthy rags; and that, not by works of righteousness, but according to his mercy, he saved us. These are the heartfelt wishes of, Rev. Sir, your obedient and sincere servant and friend in the best cause, STEPHEN RYAN. N. B. The man who interrupted me, by saying, there was not a word about In a few days after sending my journals, I went off to the county of Leitrim, where the Lord gave me an opportunity of being useful. I inspected John Mancham's evening school, where there was upwards of forty adults present, together with three men, that came to hear me read the Irish Testament. I examined the scholars in their reading, and as they were getting on, I was asking questions, and showing them the meaning of what they read. They all paid the greatest attention, and several times expressed and considered themselves happy, and blessed the Society for sending them such an opportunity of learning the scriptures. At nine o'clock we dispersed the scholars; but the men that came to hear the Irish read, stopped with me until twelve o'clock, and I endeavoured to shew them the sinfulness of man by nature, and read the following passages to prove the subject: Rom. v. 12-19; Eccles. vii. 29; Isa. i. 11; Rom. xxxiv. 14; Jer. iii. 25; Eph. ii. 3. I read these, together with several other passages, which I thought were sufficient to shew them their own inability, and then shewed the full redemption by Jesus Christ. They all seemed very well satisfied, and parted very friendly. The following morning, one of the men came to where I lodged, and walked with me two miles of the road, conversing with me on the scriptures: those men were Roman Catholics. I hope the Lord will soon bring them out from the mystery of iniquity. The following night I went to Robert Moor's evening school this school exceeded my expectation, for, I found a good number present; but what I more rejoiced in was, finding seven men employed, five of whom were reading in the Spelling-book, and two in the Primer. Some of them said, that they hoped to be able to read the Testament when I should come there to inspect again. After I inspected the scholars, I began to read and talk to them about the salvation of their souls, and the efficacy of the blood of Jesus, that cleanseth from all sins. They seemed to be very attentive to what they heard, and There is a great deal of popish persecution against our schools in several parts of this country at this period, because the priests did not succeed in putting and keeping the great luminary the Bible under a bushel, expecting, by that means, to keep the rising generation equally as ignorant as their predecessors were; but this effort has proved abortive. The schools in my walk this month, beginning in the neighbourhood of Ballina, and ending in the neighbourhood of Swineford, were in number and progress beyond my expectations. In my travels among the schools, I met with a popish lady, an acquaintance of my own, and after a short conversation, she told me that she had great respect for my family, and that she hoped that I would die a good Christian. I prayed that she and myself would be enabled, by the grace of God, to live and die good Christians. But there are many that do not understand what Christianity means. She then said that the ignorant would not be punished, as they knew no better. My answer was, that the gospel was preached in all directions to every crea ture in their own tongue, without money, and without price; therefore, that no person could plead ignorance in these latter times. I then endeavoured to direct her attention to that great offering of Jesus Christ, that hath perfected for ever all them that are sanctified. She next asked me, "Did I know what Christ said to Peter?" I said "Yes, and this is it, Get thee behind me Satan, for thou savourist the things that belong to men, and not the things that belong to God." This was not the answer she expected, as she wanted to give Peter the prerogative over all the apostles, &c. I then endeavoured to shew her from the scriptures, that she did not believe what Péter said, Acts iv. 12. "Neither I have read and expounded the Irish scriptures the present month, as usual; and on my way from Ballymote, in the village of Whitegate, I read in John Conlan's, who was confined to his bed since last spring, with the rheumatism; I asked him several questions, and he answered and told me, that he always that their whole aim is to make money of the people; and, for his part, that he would not be prevented from reading, and hearing the scriptures read, by either priest, bishop, or pope, as long as he had to live. He then gave me a general invitation to read frequently for himself and family, and that no man should be more welcome. There is a priest M'N. come here lately, who is beginning to bark at the schools, by the bishop's order. Though I have heard the inhabitants of Glan remark, that they would not heed him, nor remove their children from Gallagher's school, where they were so well instructed. I am also able to state, that the anxiety of the poor, for the education of their children, is daily increasing, and extends to every part of the country where the Baptist schools are established J. O'BRIEN. Baptist Irish Society. Newmarket on Fergus, Jan. 20, 1825. MY DEAR FRIENDS, hoped to be saved by his prayers, confes- Rev. W. Thomas to the Secretaries of the sions, penances, hearing mass, and the ointment. I endeavoured, in a simple manner, to shew him his error, from the scriptures I read, (and a better hope,) this poor man seemed anxious that I should converse with him on this subject, and said, that he knew in his heart that he performed the above duties but very imperfectly; that if a better way was proved to him, he was open to conviction. I told him I could adduce no stronger proof than the word of God, which I was then reading for him; how we dare not appear before him in our own righteousness, for if he were to enter into judgment with us (in this way,) we must be cast into hell. I then pointed out to him the encouragement which his word gives to poor perishing sinners to hope for acceptance with him, through the merits of the Saviour, who is set forth as a propitiation, through faith in his blood. This poor man seemed to be filled with hope and consolation, and to receive the visitation of his affliction with a cordial resignation. When he blessed God for ever having heard his word, he requested that I would visit him again, which I have done, and found him steadfast in hope, in prospect of a happy eternity. I read in John Carty's house, who has not attended the mass these three years past. I asked him the reason for so doing. He told me he had many, many reasons; that he knew many priests, who opposed the scriptures strenuously, because they testified of them, that their deeds were evil. And the generality of them, said he, are so avaricious, The teachers appear truly grateful to the Society for the regular and punctual payment of their salaries. They often pray for those kind friends who contribute to promote their comfort, and education and communication of that knowledge to those who enjoy it, without which they should live or die in the most deplorable misery and ignorance. Such is the character of the Baptist Society, that I could obtain numbers of teachers from all parts running to enlist in its service. I anticipate the time, for it will surely come, when the funds of the Society will admit of their service; when the power of darkness, and the influence of popery shall fall as lightning from heaven, and the thick clouds of superstitious ignorance shall be dissipated before the glorious rising, and bright shining of the Sun of righteousness. I have been out the last ten days; and during the last week, the Lord enabled me to preach seven times in different counties and places. Twice at Clonwello, and at Mount Shannon in the county of Galway, where I am always well attended; at Moynoe, principally to Roman Catholics, I felt great liberty in preaching to them, and hope I did not shun, nor hesitate a moment to speak the truth, through fear of personal danger. Preached at Tomgrany; since the popish officer came to command the detachment there, he would not allow me to preach in the barrack; and the soldiers appeared afraid of his disapprobation to come to hear me in the police barrack which I immediately got. I was well attended, principally by the police, &c. Preached at O'Brien's bridge; the room was crowded with soldiers and some of the inhabitants. Preached at Doonass, and on board a ship in Limerick, the cabin was greatly crowded. I have had a great deal of conversation with several persons in public and private, endeavoured to dissipate their prejudice, and to direct their attention to the "one thing needful." I am convinced the Lord is able to bless the humblest efforts made in his strength, that is my encouragement, and we have reason to bless Him, he does when we are least aware of it. John Bready one of the Society's school masters, has been stoned. So has poor Pendergast been hooted and stoned, and the people were cautioned to have no communion with him, neither to give him employment; his nearest relatives forsook him; and after all he gave the priests, one of them, who owes him for making clothes, had the injustice to call for him publicly on the altar to pay him his dues, and as he did not appear, denounced him; said a great deal to the people, who are too apt to believe what the priests say, called him and others a variety of names, such as heretic, swadler, new-light, Bible teacher, &c. though he is a mild, inoffensive man, and of excellent moral character; he is in terror of his life. And if any man could have obtained heaven by his penances and performances, he might have done; but, I trust the Lord has taught him, that "by the works of the law shall no man living be justified." with the word of God, to see whether these things were so. I visited John Denison's evening-school, where I found thirty-three present, all reading the Testament, and the most part of them Roman Catholics. I endeavoured to impress on their minds the necessity of being acquainted with the word of God, for that it is the standard of truth wherein the knowledge of eternal life is to be found; they all seemed to pay attention to the subject, and often thanked God for the opportunity. The following night I went to Mr. Moore's school, where I was much rejoiced to see a number of old men employed in reading the holy scriptures, some of them wearing their spectacles, and grey headed. I got them to read several chapters in the New Testament that I selected for their future meditation. I did not leave the school-house until after ten o'clock, but reading and conversing with the people that came to the school. Before I left the house, a woman came in and said that it was a happy day for her when the school was established. I asked her, what did she benefit by the school? she told me, that it kept her husband from card-playing, and whiskey drinking, and that she has every comfort in him since he began to read the scriptures; the school-master told me, that there was a great change in this man's conduct since he began to come to the evening school, this, indeed, is sufficient to shew that the word of the Lord is not returning to him void, but prospering in the things whereto he sent it. On my return home, I met a man on the road, who travelled with me several miles; I began to speak to him about his latter end, and directed his attention to a crucified Saviour; he seemed very much affected in hearing me speak about the day of judgment; "Oh," said he, "if I From an Irish Reader, to the Rev. J. knew what would prepare me for that West. Boyle, Jan. 20, 1825. REV. SIR, This month I had the same walk that I had the last month, the county of Letrim, where I visited both the day and evening schools; and although the opposition against the word of God is great at present, I am happy to say that I found many anxiously employed in perusing the same, like the good Bereans of old, comparing what they hear from the priests day to be one of the number of God's elect." Then I took out the Testament and read for him the thirty-sixth verse of the third chapter of the gospel by St. John; "He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." He seemed very much troubled when he heard the sentence of God against the unbelievers, he told me that he lived on my way to Sligo, and requested of me not to pass that way without calling to see him. |