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tures in that country. For it gave him pleasure to state, that we are pursuing the same objects harmoniously, and with a christian feeling towards each other. Some of them are of a gigantic size, and he rejoices in their success, though we are moving in a humbler sphere. There is a Gentleman on the platform who will be able to correct the statements he makes should he err, for he has again and again travelled through the greater part of Ireland, and who would be able to state additional facts, could he be prevailed upon to address the Meeting. And you yourself, Mr. Chairman, are not unac quainted with the real state of Ireland; you have seen many of the evils that prevail there, you have observed "the nakedness of the land." As some of the results of education and the circulation of the scriptures, he observed, that, 1. Industry has been promoted. In confirmation of this he should only mention what was stated to him within the last few weeks, by the present high sheriff of one of the western counties. He is an extensive land proprietor, and lets the greater part of his land to the persons who work it themselves. He said, "Such was the increased industry of the people, and their improved methods of cultivating the ground, that, within the last ten or twelve years it produced nearly one-third more than it formerly did." 2. Cleanliness and generally improved manners, are other particulars worthy of notice, as resulting from the establishment of Schools. Poverty and wretchedness still prevail, though the general appearance of the children is improved, and their good habits have had some influence at home. 3. Another particular deserving at tention is, that where the Schools have been long established, the Sabbath is more religiously regarded than for merly. After the public service of mass, Roman Catholics in general consider the rest of the day their own; and dancing, ball-playing, or drinking, is the consequence. But, in many places, the reading of the Scriptures is now their employment; and those humble, but useful labourers, the Irish Scripture Readers, many of whom receive a small remuneration for their exertions on the Sabbath only, are found explaining the Scriptures in the cabins. There are other men who are constantly employed in this work, and who have been eminently successful in giving religious instruction to their countrymen in their own language. It is a pleasing sight, while riding through desolate districts, to see groups of persons assembled inside, and even outside, of the cabins, listening to those readers

while they explain the word of God. There have been instances of persons who have come for the avowed purpose of opposing these proceedings, but in less than half an hour those turbulent spirits not only refrained from their intentions, but were seen bathed in tears, rejoicing in the news of a full and free salvation through Jesus Christ. He should add, 4. That a spirit of inquiry on religious subjects is extensively evinced, which has been considerably increased by the recent biblical discussions. This has been particularly the case in the neighbourhoods of Carrick-on-Shannon and Easky, where two of the discussions were held. This fact is corroborated by the increased demand for Bibles, both from those who bestowed them gratuitously, and also from the Hibernian Bible Society, whose income was in consequence considerably increased during the past year. What the full results of this may be, we must leave to Him who is the author of the Bible, and who has said, that he will "magnify his word above all his name." This desire to be able to read the scriptures for themselves, will ac count for the increased attendance on the evening schools during the last winter, when it was not uncommon to see persons from forty to sixty years of age, with the primer learning their letters, some of whom, in a few weeks, were able to make use of the second spelling book.

He now proceeded to notice some particular instances of good being effected by the operations of our Society. That we have been useful in the country, may be inferred from the increased contributions to the Society by the Gentlemen in the immediate vicinity of the schools. The first year of his applying to them for that purpose, £32 only were collected, which has gradually increased, so that this year the subscriptions in Connaught have amounted to £152. He felt pleasure in stating, 1. That some children who were educated in our schools, are now filling situations, by which they are procuring a comfortable livelihood for themselves, and are enabled, in some instances, to assist their aged parents. Some of the present teachers were originally pupils in our schools; this is a subject of considerable importance, particularly in reference to females, because it was formerly very difficult to find suitable persons to take the management of female schools. What he should next mention, is particularly interesting in a civil point of view. 2. Submission to the constituted authorities has, in several instances, been secured by the efforts of the Society's agents. The following are

two instances. M. Murphy was taken by some Ribbonmen to make him swear their oath; but he asked if any of them read the scriptures? they answered, that they knew nothing about them, nor was it their object. He replied, "I am not so, and Saint Peter tells us to Fear God and honour the King;' and for this reason, if I were to die on the spot, I never will swear a rebellious oath against my king or the government." Another instance. A poor man, who had two of his children in one of our schools, was a Ribbonman; the eldest was in the Testament class, and took her Testament home to learn her lessons; the father read this book from cover to cover, with great attention and earnestness; and so powerful was the effect of divine truth on his mind, that his conviction, which he confessed, was, that he could not be a Christian and a Ribbonman. 3. Several persons, who have enjoyed the advantages of religious instruction, either by reading the scriptures in the schools, from the Irish scripture readers, or by the preaching of the gospel, are giving good evidence of the powerful influence of the truth, by their holy lives and zealous exertions in the cause of Christ. And here, though he was an Englishman to his very heart, he would say, that he thought a real Irish Christian was more zealous than an English one in the cause of his Lord and Saviour. Probably one of the means by which such characters have been produced is, the committing the scriptures to memory; for this is a fundamental principle in the Society's schools; and there are some hundreds of children who can repeat from five to fifty or sixty chapters in the New Testament, and about forty who can reapeat a hundred chapters. 4. But what is more satisfactory than all is, that some have departed this life in the firm persuasion of enjoying everlasting felicity through faith in Christ Jesus. That, he was persuaded, has been the case with many, through the instrumentality of the agents of the Society: but he only referred, on the present occasion, to the two instances mentioned in the Report. The dear girl there stated as being thirteen years of age; he was satisfied respecting her long before her death, for she well knew in whom she had believed. She had committed about thirtysix chapters of the New Testament to memory; but though, for many months, she was unable to attend to the duties of the school, she was generally present to witness the examination of the other children. He should add nothing to these facts, being persuaded they will speak

more forcibly than any thing like a formal speech by him.

The Rev. Mr. Hawkins, of Weymouth, observed, that the state of Ireland was most extraordinary, and that there was hardly an individual to be found who had the hardihood to deny the wretchedness and corruption that pervaded that land. The eyes of men during the last six months had been much turned towards Ireland; but, even if those measures, which had been so much agitated, had been carried, he did not think that it would have done much for Ireland. They would only have affected the rich, and left the poor as wretched and as miserable as ever. This Society went directly to remove the cloud of ignorance which covered over Ireland, and as such was worthy of their warmest support. It had been expected that their exertions would meet with the enmity of the Catholic priesthood; but he dwelt with satisfac tion on the evidence they had received of some of that body, having had the strength of mind to throw off their papal preju dices. It gave infinite pleasure to him to find one saving clause in the whole system of popery. The plan of translating the scriptures into the native language had been much opposed, but it met with his entire approbation; for once give the Irish a taste for reading, and it would not be long that they would rest contented with the scanty supplies that their own language afforded. If ignorance was the evil of Ireland, then remove it; and they would find industry raising her head with real vigour, and those turbulent passions which for so long a period had disgraced that country, would no longer exist in the land. The everlasting salvation of the people of that country ought to be the object dearest to every heart, and that was the great object of the Irish Baptist Society, rendered also the more beautiful by the simplicity of the operations by which the object was accomplished. It had been truly said, that it was no proselytizing Society. All it had in view was the dissemination of the gospel, and the educa-. tion of the poor; and if, after a perusal of the gospel, the pupils remained in the Catholic faith, that presented no obstacle to their well doing, for bad as he thought their faith, he still thought there was salvation within the pale even of that church. But there was no salvation without a knowledge of the scriptures; and, therefore, while that knowledge was withheld they must live and die without the great final hope that lifted the soul of man to his Maker. The emancipation of the soul was the emancipation they

wanted, and to that great emancipation every other must yield the precedence. He moved

2. That this Meeting is more than ever convinced that the diffusion of the pure and unadulterated principles of the christian religion, though it may not be the only means, will nevertheless be found the most effectual for relieving the wretchedness and moral degradation of the people of Ireland."

The Rev. Mr. Cramp, of London, contended, that it was by the diffusion of the scriptures only, that they could hope to overthrow the papal system, and it was in entire concordance with that principle that the motives of the Irish Baptist Society were directed. Education was making rapid strides in Ireland, and not only was the present Society doing all in its power in that way, but it was most cordially seconded in its efforts by the spirited exertions of several other Irish Societies. It was a lamentable circumstance, however, that not only this Society, but many others, had to lament the decease or removal of some of their most active members, though such misfortunes, instead of dispiriting, should only stimulate to fresh and more vigorous exertions, for if each one would do a little, doubtless the work of their master Christ would be well performed. He concluded by cordially seconding the Resolution.

The Rev. Mr. Groser, of Maidstone, in moving the next Resolution, observed, that though they had to lament the removal of several valuable members of the Society, yet, at the same time, they might rejoice that they still possessed the services and support of their honoured Chairman, and which he had so kindly bestowed upon them for so long a time. It was not against the professors, or the advocates of the opponent system that this Society was arrayed; but it was against the system itself. The only difficulty was, that the Catholics were themselves afraid of any contest, and did all in their power to shut the door against any communication with them. The first two questions of a printed Catholic querist were, whether they had ever been guilty of heresy, by going to any of the religious meetings held by the Protestants in Ireland? The company had been informed, however, that great good had already taken place from the discussions that had been entered into there, and he was sure they could not doubt the information, for truth need only be heard to prevail. He held in his hand the report of one of those discussions, which was published by the Catholics, through a Catholic

bookseller, in which it was announced that Mr. Pope made a very eloquent speech on the Protestant side of the question, which, however, their limits would not allow them to give, and then immediately after they gave five pages and a half to Mr. O'Connell, all of which was in answer to Mr. Pope, of whose speech not a word was given. Not but that he thought that the single line given to Mr. Pope was much more eloquent than a speech of an hundred pages; for no one could be so blind, Protestant or Catholic, as not to be able to see through the artifice. He liked those debates, for they served to draw all hearts closer together, throwing aside minor differences in order that they might make one grand attack in the name of the Lord of Hosts. That those debates did good he was firmly persuaded, and he therefore most cordially moved,

"3. That this Meeting rejoices in the public discussions which have recently taken place between Clergymen of the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches in Ireland, respecting the free circulation of the scriptures, being persuaded that they have excited inquiries which are likely to produce the most beneficial results."

The Rev. Mr. Kinghorn, of Norwich, highly approved of the Resolution, for all he wished was to see the cause of truth triumphant. He wished the inquiry to be pushed not superficially but solidly, so that the radical principles of both sides might be understood. Go to the Canons of the Council of Trent, and there see what the arguments of popery are! Go with the feeling that you have a right to examine, and having examined have a right to decide! Unfortunately the Church of Rome, while it claimed to itself the right of examining into the scriptures, had not given up the right of persecution of any one who took that right of examination upon himself, though great pains had been taken to convince England that that was the plan on which the papal church was now going.

The Chairman, in putting the Resolution, observed, that as the Resolution was a new one, he should perhaps be excused for observing, that some years ago, when Bonaparte had proposed to the Pope toleration for the Protestants, the Pope had decidedly refused it, as incompatible with the principles of the Roman Catholic Church. Disturbances likewise, as they all well knew, had taken place at the meetings in Ireland, in which the Protestants had been completely exonerated by all parties, and which had originated with the Pope's Legate. After those disturbances, it was curious enough that

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twenty little farmers met for the purpose of dicussing the discussion, and after sitting hard at it all night with heaps of volumes, they had in the morning determined that they would read the New Testament, let the priesthood do what it chose. A curious fact had come within his own immediate knowledge: A young man had obtained possession of a Testa ment, and had read it very studiously, which coming to the knowledge of the Catholic priest, he came instantly to demand the book, and by way of fine, for the offence, had imposed a sort of private confessional, by which the family was obliged to provide a dinner for the priest and his party. Every possible threat was used towards the young man, and after mass, the priest from the altar called on his audience to join him in cursing those scandalous rascals, his very words, the Bible readers, and afterwards called in the same way on them to join him in cursing the young man. This the lad, whose name was Robert, resisted, and said, please your reverence, I am no rascal; I am honest, and my father is honest, and my only fault seems to be the reading of a book which has made me a better man.' "This speech had so enraged the priest that he rushed from the altar, and would have sprung upon the young man but for the interposition of the audience, and more especially the women. They, however, all joined intreating him to kneel down, and beg his reverence's pardon. "I shall do no such thing," said Robert," he has called me a rascal, and that's more than any man can prove me." He, therefore, refused to go; but shortly after, the priest seeing him in the market, trying to separate two men who were fighting, the priest interfered, and flogged him severely, under the pretence that he was the aggressor, though the real reason was his reading the Bible. Not content with this, he had likewise procured his dismissal from his situation, by which he supported himself. This account being sent to him (Mr. Butterworth) he sent some relief, and suggested the idea of Robert's being appointed a Scripture Reader to the Society; but such was the animosity excited against him by the priest, that it was declared that he could not any longer remain there without his life being in danger. He, therefore, had thirty shillings given him, and was sent to London. When he arrived, he (Mr. Butterworth) asked him how he had disposed of his passage-money; to which Robert replied, that his father was but poorly off, and he had given him half, and by walking from Liverpool to Lon

don, had contrived to make the other fifteen shillings last. When he arrived, Mr. Butterworth had two gentlemen of high rank with him at breakfast, and they had been moved to tears by his sim. ple story, and the artless simplicity he displayed. He was sure the Meeting would be glad to hear, after the little history they had heard of Robert's fate, that he was now filling a situation most creditably in London, where he was receiving double the salary of which he was deprived by the machinations of the priest in Ireland.

The Rev. Dr. Steadman, of Bradford, in moving the next Resolution, referred to the wants of the Society, not so much in funds, for he was persuaded that no one would depart that Meeting without furnishing his quota, but in men to send to Ireland who should be worthy of undertaking the task of the Society. It was not enough to meet the mere outside of popery; that might be done with disadvantage. It was of no use quibbling about how far the Catholic priesthood were empowered to pronounce absolution or not; the grand question was, whether absolution itself was to be tolerated. That was the citadel of the faith, and if that was overturned the whole would be overturned. In Preston, in Lancashire, out of thirty thousand inhabitants there were ten thousand Catholics, and he would venture to say, that there were more Catholics attending at the great Roman Catholic Chapel there, than there were Protestants at all the other places of worship in the town; and by the polite manner in which visitors were received at the Catholic institutions throughout the country, a very favourable impression was spread abroad of the Roman Catholics. All this was very frightful, and it ought to make true Protestants search the more diligently for the nerves and sinews of the Popish faith, so that it might be entirely destroyed. They knew that the downfal of popery was predicted, and therefore all that they had to do was to go on steadily and perseveringly in doing what they could to promote that cause, which was in fact the cause of God. He moved,

"4. That this Meeting laments the loss, by death, of so many useful and honoured ministers and other cordial friends of this Society, during the past year: it has occasion, and does hereby express its gratitude to Almighty God for the restoration, though partial, of the Treasurer of this Society, William Burls, Esq. from a long and alarming illness, that his health may be perfectly restored, and

under this pleasing hope, requests that he will undertake the office for the year ensuing."

The Rev. Mr. Fisher, of Liverpool, had listened with much pleasure to the facts detailed by Mr. Wilson: as he had travelled with him inspecting the schools he could bear his testimony to the utility of the Society's labours, and seconded the motion which had been just proposed.

The Chairman declined putting the Resolution to a shew of hands, but intreated the Meeting to sit quiet for a minute in prayer to Almighty God, that instead of the fathers the children might be raised up to serve him.

Mr. Burls, Jun.-"Mr. Chairman, Ladies, and Gentlemen, after the Resolution you have just passed, it would ill become me to be totally silent; and yet I feel that, labouring as I do under the effects of contending emotions, I shall imperfectly discharge my duty, and consequently need a large portion of your indulgence. On the one hand, I am strongly impressed with the kindness and truly christian sympathy which characterize the Resolution; and, on the other, the circumstances which have called for those expressions, are brought to my recollection. I retrace the sufferings and alarms of the past year, and though Providence has in mercy spared the life of my highly valued father, still it is not with him now as it was in days that are passed: he is absent from your assembly this morniug!-In his absence, accept my grateful thanks, which, however feebly expressed, I can honestly say are strongly felt and permit me, on the part of my father, to assure you, that, however enfeebled in body, his attachment to the Members of this Society has experienced no decay; and though prevented from assisting in your labours, I am sure his prayers are not wanting that your means may increase; the sphere of your usefulness be enlarged; and, above all, that this Society may be blessed with a large portion of the influence of the Holy Spirit, by whose aid alone it can truly prosper."

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The Rev. Mr. Elvey moved the appointment of the new Committee. He lamented that, hitherto, he had done nothing, that he might have been able to do, to forward the objects of the Society; but he wished that every one present would come to the determination that he had just made, which was to enrol his name as an annual Subscriber to the Baptist Irish Society. He moved,

"5. That to William Burls, Jun. Esq. who during the illness of his father, has rendered very important services to this

Institution, the grateful acknowledg-
ments of this Meeting are due, and are
hereby presented, as well as to the Rev.
Joseph Ivimey, and the Rev. George
Pritchard, the Secretaries, who are re-
quested to continue their offices for the
year ensuing; that Messrs. W. Paxon
and Ebenezer Wilkinson, be the auditors;
and the following Gentlemen the Com-
mittee to co-operate with them in further-
ing the designs of the Institution:
Mr. George Bagster.
Newton Bosworth.
Gilbert Blight.
J. M. Buckland.
Stephen Cadby.
J. Chandler.
William Cozens.
J. Danford.
P. Ellis.
Joseph Gurney.
John Haddon.
Job Heath.
James Law.
Stephen Marshall.
Paul Millard.
William Napier.
Richard Nicholls.
William Paxon.
John Penny.
Joshua Russell.
W. Lepard Smith.
Samuel Summers.
Joseph Warmington.
Thomas Watson.

Eleazar Wilkinson."

Von Bulow, who seconded this motion, was surprised at the opposition offered to this Society by the Irish Roman Catholic priesthood, for both Catholic and Protestant professed to believe in salvation through the faith of Jesus Christ, and it was the propagation of that belief which was the main object of the Irish Baptist Society. Nothing, in his opinion, was better than the enabling every man, in every country, to read the scriptures, and a Society which had so laudable a purpose for its object would always meet with his sincere support.

The Rev. Mr. Pritchard returned thanks for himself and his colleagues.

The Rev. Mr. Finch, of Harlow, observed, that about £2600 had been expended by the Society during the past year, and though that sum was but small, yet if the good that had been done by that sum, were considered, the Meeting would be surprised how extensive an effect had been produced by so small a cause. When the inhabitants' of Ephesus shouted for hours "Great is Diana of Ephesus," it might be taken for granted that St. Paul had already done much in the Christian cause; and, in the same manner, the energies employed by

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