ed to have injured such a man, and to have driven all the cattle I could collect one night, to have destroyed all his wheat, oats, and potatoes, but when I heard J-N-read the Irish Testament, my conscience would not let me." These two instances alone say more, in my opinion, for the great importance of scriptural education, than all that was ever said by its devoted advocates. I was in formed that the Popish Bishop went into the neighbourhood lately, and desired the people to be aware of the books, that there was poison in them. The priest destroyed the first school the Baptist Irish Society established there about six years ago; they were the first, and the only persons, who sent the preached and the inspired word of God into that dark and remote region.

In the Bird-hill school, six of the children repeated from memory the Gospel of Matthew and three chapters of the Epistle to the Romans each; four repeated ten chapters each; two said four each, which makes 234 chapters. The children of the Black-water school still appear to exceed them. The schools would all flourish, and the nation would soon be evangelized, were it not for the priests.

W. THOMAS.

To the Secretaries.

Boyle, Sept. 13, 1825. I have now seen nearly the whole of the schools, in both districts, and though there are still some discouraging circumstances attending some of them, I have to state, that I was never more gratified than I have been in the inspection of

others.

There are three parishes where the most determined and persevering opposition is maintained, in which we have eight schools; all of them, however, give pleasing evidence that the people are determined to have their children educated, for some Roman Catholic as well as Protestant children are found in all of them.

As a contrast to the proceedings of the priests in those parishes, I have pleasure in stating, that we have the continued co-operation of some others; and in one instance, one who was formerly hostile, is now an encourager of the schools; and, consequently, in a school that I inspected in his parish, there were 199 pupils, 49 of whom were reading the Testament, and most of them committing portions of it to memory. In another parish, the priest went with me to inspect the school,

and was evidently interested in the proficiency of the children, of whom there were 121 present-30 being in the Testament class, and committing it to memory.

After the examination of the children, in their presence, and that of about 20 adults, he requested from me the present of an English Bible, which request I have cheerfully complied with.

I was also much pleased with the proficiency of the children in some other schools, particularly the Harlow, and the Alie-street female schools; in the latter of which there is a little girl who can repeat 100 chapters very correctly, who is only nine years of age. In these and other female schools, it was highly gratifying to me, as well as to the children, to present them with some of the work-bags, pin-cushions, &c. which were kindly given me for the purpose by some ladies in London.

You will be gratified in the perusal of some of the readers' journals, as clearly proving that the labours of the Society are succeeded by him in whose cause they are engaged. In one of them, viz. from T- C-, there is an account of the death of his father, which will be read with great interest. It was such a death, as I should have anticipated from such a character, for though poor as to the things of this world, and an illiterate man, he was evidently "rich in faith," and an heir of that kingdom which shall never be moved.

He was brought to a knowledge of the truth, by the instrumentality of some of tized at an early period of its operations the agents of the society, and was bapin this country. I was early acquainted with him after my arrival, and have rea

adorn the doctrine of God his Saviour. son to believe that he was enabled to He frequently evinced great strength of mind; and had he enjoyed the advantages of an early education, in all probability he would have been a very useful character. The clear and faithful manner in which he was accustomed to speak of the gospel, and the effects it will produce afforded me pleasure; and he has often where it is cordially received, has often been admired by his superiors in rank, for his pointed manner of speaking to them on the concerns of their souls; in fact, he feared his God, but knew no other fear. From all I know of him, I can heartily join with his son, in saying, may my last end be like his."

J. WILSON.

well, in his senses, without a struggle: he expired as if falling asleep. I must confess, Sir, that notwithstanding I know my poor father is happy, and eternally happy, yet I cannot but grieve after such a parent. O may my latter end be like his! Aug. 6, 1825.

SIR,

To Mr. Wilson.

Collooney, Sept. 9, 1825.

Since my last, I have been labouring as usual, among the poor and illiterate of this extensive country, reading and explaining the Irish scriptures from village to village, and from house to house; and in every place I addressed the people, and announced to them salvation through the Saviour: they withdrew from their work, sat down in the fields, and houses, where they attended to what they heard with seriousness and delight; and many of them praised God for the truths contained in his word, whilst others implored blessings on those who have undertaken to illuminate their dark land with the glorious light of the gospel. I visited P▬▬ M▬▬, of Carownedin, who had a Testament in his house these thirty years past; I directed his attention to the Saviour's atonement; and after I had read and expounded about four hours for himself and his household, he seemed peculiarly interested, and said, These are surely the words of eternal life, and I am convinced there is none other way of salvation but through the merits of the Saviour. Thomas B- told me, that priest D-roared out in the chapel, that heretics of every denomination were endeavouring, by their schools and various other means, to undermine the most holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church. But what can they effect, or what can they do, said he, with all their scriptural knowledge; the power was not committed to them, but to us; we have received

power to forgive sins of the deepest die; come unto the priests, lawfully ordained and authorized, and they can forgive you, by annexing suitable penance. This is what they dare not attempt to do, às they never received even permission from any lawful authority. This man and priest -are the two who are at present offering opposition to the schools; and as for the scripture readers, they are seldom opposed in any direction, the bulk of the people are so much attached to their native language. I have read five chapters of the Epistle to the Romans, and in the old Irish letter, for priest (a young man who is helper to priest) who seemed to be much delighted; I endeavoured to enforce on his mind the importance of employing the Irish language, as the medium of instructing those who are altogether ignorant, or very imperfectly acquainted with any other. "I admit," said he, "that it is truly surprising that the language of our country should not be better encouraged by every denomination of people." He expressed a wish that I would give him some instruction in the language.

I have lent him an Irish grammar, and I entertain a pleasing hope that through the grace of God, I may be as useful to him, as I have been heretefore to priest H--, (as William Moor can certify,) that I was a feeble instrument in curing him of popery before his departure from this town. I consider it unnecessary to report concerning the schools, as you visit them so often, yet I am constrained to mention, that I ventured to propose many questions to the children of the schools, who shew a surprising knowledge of the holy scriptures, which, in many instances, has been realized in their regular and proper deportment, which bids fair to render the institution an earnest of more extensive good, and a permanent blessing to all the villages, where these schools are established.

JOHN O'BRIEN.

BAPTIST MISSION.

Home Proceedings.

BRISTOL AND BATH AUXILIARY SOCIETY.

THE Seventh Anniversary of this important Auxiliary was held, as usual, in Bristol, in the first week in August; though from local circumstances, the ser-, vices at Bath were postponed to the month of November. On Tuesday evening, August 2, the cause of the Society was warmly advocated, by the Rev. S. Kilpin of Exeter, at Counterslip Meeting-house, in a sermon from Haggai ii. 6--9. The public meeting was held on Thursday morning at King-street chapel, when the chair was filled by John Sheppard, Esq. of Frome; and the following ministers and gentlemen took part in the business of the day: Rev. Messrs. Leif child, Macfarlane, Sutton, Lucy, Winter, Crisp, Dear, and Horsey; and Edward Phillips, and Joseph Whittuck, Esqrs. Mr. Winterbotham of Nailsworth had been engaged to preach at Broadmead in the evening, but being prevented by indisposition, that service was most kindly undertaken by the Rev. Richard Watson, one of the Secretaries of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, who delivered an excellent discourse from 1 Chron. xxix. 10 16.; as did the Rev. Richard Elliot of Devizes, the next evening, at King-street, from Exodus xiv. 15. Of the amount collected at the various meetings we have not been informed.

West Middlesex Missionary Union.

THE Third Anniversary of the West Middlesex Missionary Society, was held at Paradise Chapel, Chelsea, on Tuesday, May 24, 1825. An appropriate sermon was delivered in the morning, by the Rev. William Copley of Watford; and the

VOL. XVII.

meeting for business was held in the evening, when the chair was filled by Benjamin Shaw, Esq. Treasurer to the Parent Society; and addresses were delivered in moving and seconding the various resolutions, by the Rev. Messrs. Hutchings, Lewis, Uppadine, Dyer, Brown, Copley, Hawkins, and Woollacott,

WEST YORKSHIRE.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the 20th and 21st of September, the Yorkshire West Assistant Baptist Missionary Society, held its Anniversary Meetings in Bradford. The Rev. P. Charrier of Liverpool advocated the claims of the Society in a very appropriate discoure on Tuesday evening, and the Rev. S. Saunders of Frome in two powerfully energetic discourses in the morning and afternoon of the following day. The resolu tions passed at the public meeting, which was held in the evening, the Rev. W. Steadman, D.D. in the chair, were moved and seconded by the Rev. J. M'Pherson of Hull, and J. Jackson of Hebden-bridge; S. Saunders of Frome, and J. Mann, M.A, of Shipley; P. Charrier of Liverpool, and B. Godwin of Bradford; J, Acworth, A.M. of Leeds, and W. Scarlett of Gildersome; M. Saunders of Haworth, and

Scott of Colne. The feeling excited by the various addresses which were delivered, will not, it is hoped, speedily subside, but manifest its warmth and ac tivity in more enlarged and better sustained exertions for the dissemination of divine truth among the benighted and perishing heathen.

J. A.

Foreign Intelligence.

CALCUTTA.

2Y

Chinsurah, whence he makes excursions to carry the gospel to surrounding villages.

October 28, 1824.Preached at Peepulputtee. At the commencement, I had scarcely three persons to speak to, and might have been obliged to return home without any satisfaction, had not the Moodee on the opposite side of the street asked me to give him a book. I availed myself of this opportunity, and crossing over, entered into an interesting conversation with a brahman who sat in the same shop. This poor brahman was perfectly ignorant of the common attributes of the Creator, and could not give a reasonable answer to the several questions I put to him. My congregation soon assumed a very interesting aspect, and I was enabled to testify "the truth as it is in Christ," to at least fifty hearers. The Moodee started several objections to what I held forth; but as he was a very ignorant man, it was not a difficult matter to answer them. After being foiled in all his attempts to interrupt my discourse, he held his tongue, and enabled me thereby to speak of the love of Jesus to a lost world. It was a season of help. He being very urgent to obtain the gospel I had with me, I put it into his hand, and left him.

Nov. 2.-I made Mulikquasum's haut my stand this evening, and read part of the 11th of Luke. I was soon surrounded by a large assembly of Hindoos and Mussulmans. The subject was, "Our Father which art in heaven, &c." I was much gratified to perceive the people pay great attention to my feeble discourse. At the close of it, I had a very interesting conversation with some of my auditory. The following is the purport of what passed between us. Quest. "Can you shew me a sign in support of the truth of what you declare?" Ans. "Can you shew me a sign of the truth of your Shasters? You cannot: neither can I. But I would have you take notice, that that religion must be the best which brings no dishonour to God. Now judge you whether what I have all this time said reflects any dishonour upon a holy God. Have any of your hearts, while I was speaking, been encouraged in their sinful inclinations? Have you been stimulated by what you have heard to entertain any sinful thoughts? By these words have you been affected with lasciviousness, or any other vile affections?" Ans. "No." Speaker. "Then it will be no very difficult matter for you to compare the respective merits of your Shasters, and the one out of which I have just now spoken

to you." Quest. "But were we all to become good, and were there to remain no distinction of good and evil, Kalee would be destroyed." Ans. True, it would; and would it not be a happy circumstance? The religion of Jesus Christ is expressly calculated to bring this change about-that is, that all should become good, and none remain bad." Quest. "How would the world go in that case? The sun and moon would cease to move.' Ans. "The sun and moon do not, you see, cease to give their light, although you and the whole world are drowned in sin; neither would your becoming good affect them at all."Alas! poor Hindoos, you have no idea of your state. Your infatuated minds lead you to think, that the moment men become good, God would cease to be gracious, and withdraw the light of the sun by day, and the moon by night. But the grace of God is able to open your eyes. His holy words shall not pass away-though you have forgot him, yet he cannot forget what he has promised, else I would cease preaching to you henceforward.

17th-At Khakrajal this evening, I soon collected a congregation, and commenced directing their attention to the depravity of the human heart. A respectable looking Musselman listened to my discourse with peculiar interest, and at length left the place with seeming reluctance. I addressed him in the Hindoostanee language, and continued my speech to the people in it so long as I found the generality of my auditors could comprehend what I said. I was, however, at length requested to speak in the Bengalee language, when I was soon obliged to enter into conversation with several enquirers or objectors successively. The first person who was attended to, having heard me speak of the depra. vity of human nature, asked me, "Where heaven was?" Ans. "Where God dwells." Quest. "What sort of a place is it?" Ans. "It is a place entirely free from misery and distress, and full of happiness and peace; and these in consequence of the presence of God." Quest. " But God is in me, and I do whatsoever he stimulates me to do." Ans. "I deny that; and to prove to you that what you say is incorrect, I must remind you, that as I said in the beginning, God dwells there where no misery or distress is, and where there is perfect happiness and peace. Now if the divinity dwells with. in you, it must naturally follow that you are free from distress of all kinds, and are perfectly happy. But this you will acknowledge is not the case, consequent