excluded or suspended; but a greater number of those who had been excluded or suspended for merly, have given satisfactory proofs of their repentance, and have been restored. All the churches are supplied with pas tors, and have the word and ordinances regularly dispensed a mongst them. Some new sta tions have been attempted, and old ones strengthened. Upon the whole, I cannot but rejoice in what the Lord has done, and is now doing amongst us." HIBERNIAN SOCIETY, Extracts from Letters, recent ly received. I wish, for the satisfaction of the Society, to state my growing conviction, that the Lord intends good for the benighted inhabitants of this country. The way, I trust, is opening fast for a har vest of souls amongst them; and I look upon the facility with which conviction has been brought to the minds of some Catholic schoolmasters, as a sig nal token for good.' "The situation of the generality of the Catholics, spiritually considered, calls aloud on all who know the value of souls, to exert themselves on their behalf; grosser darkness, or more can consummate ignorance, not be found in Otaheite, Could it be supposed, that, in this country, and at this period, any should be found who conld believe that the devil had a mother!' and yet, among other things equally absurd, this is actually believed by thousands here; nay, a few Sabbaths since, he who is the spiritual guide of that communion in this parish, actually made a discourse to his Hock from the altar, about the memorable combat between St. Patrick and the devil's mother (for whom they have a proper name in Irish) which commer.ced at Crook Patrick, in the extremity of the county of Mayo, and ended at the famous Lough Derry, in a remote part of Donegal. 'Mr. C is anxious for the arrival of the Irish Testaments. Many of his pupils are fully prepared for them; and some, who have been with him learning the classics, he has detained longer than they wished, giving them tuition without charge, on 'purpose to have them instructed in the Irish Testament. The young man, I formerly mentioned, who was intended for a priest, and who, from reading the Scriptures with Mr. C, gave up the idea, was lately discarded by his father, for persisting in his refasal. This young man had a Bible (which circumstance gave much offence to his family) and they wished him to part with it. An acquaintance borrowed it for a day and on the day of its absence, his father's house, and most of his substance, were consumed by fire, though armed against the possibility of such att event by many crosses of St. Bridget.Their superstition then caused them to conclude, that had the Bible remained, the house would have been safe. T While writing, I have been a greeably interrupted by the arrival of a young man from TMr. M-, on his last return from this place, stopped for a night at this young man's grandfather's house. That whole country is in the utmost darkness. Protestant and Catholic equally ignorant ; but with this difference,-that the activity of the priests, and their confident pretensions to the power of absolution, generally insures the conversion of the Protestants to this false refuge of les in their last hours. Mr. M-'s host, an old man, by profession a Protestant, was fast verging to this delusion ;-however, he had a large family Bible, and, from the account the young man has given, Mr. M spent the night, to a late hour, in expounding so successfully, that the old man, and others of his neighbours, were convinced of their ignorance, and delusions, and were heartily anxious to be instructed in the truth. The old man now makes the Bible his constant study, and says, That he reads it with new eyes. The young man called on me by the recommendation of Mr. Mand, indeed, seemed anxious for further instruction. He expressed deep regret for the ignorance of the entire country between this and C; and seemed to think that wonderful effects might be expected if Mr. M- would frequently visit them. This I heard with pleasure, as a sure indication that himself was be nefitted; and though I could not promise them the labours of Mr. M, I intima ted that they might expect one capable of instructing them. ducting religious worship there; a large mob was convened by the public crier, who warned the inhabitants to take care of their property, as there were strange persons coming among them. Many hundreds assembled and supposing that they might lawfully make what disturbauce they pleased, provided they did not enter the place, proceeded to make a violent riot.-Bread, wine and spirits were distributed to stimulate the rioters. Persons appeared in masks and grotesque habits; stinking sprats, and other offensive articles, were thrown into the place; a gallows was carried before the minister, who was pelted with rotten eggs, and told that if he persisted for seven years, he would still he used in the same manner. Many other acts of disgraceful outrage were repeated for several months: till at last Bills of Indictment were preferred against fourteen of the most conspicuous and active of the rioters. We have been informed that a Grand Jury in that neighbourhood found a bill against two persons only, whose acts of disturbance were perpetrated in the house; and it is presumed their cases stand over for trial; but against the majority of the persons guilI trust that what has already ty of these disgraceful proceedbeen effected here by the instruings, they found no bill! permentality of the Society, will be haps on the mistaken notion amatter for endless gratitude and bove mentioned that they were praise; and I look for greater not amenable to the laws, unless things in future, through the di- they entered the place of worship. vine goodness.' RIOT AT WICKHAM MARKET. Mr. Thompson, a dissenting Minister who had qualified according to the Toleration act, having licensed a place at Wick ham Market, in the County of Suffolk, for the purpose of con On the 11th of February last, therefore, Mr. Garrow applied to the Court of King's Bench for Rules to shew cause why criminal Informations should not be issued against twelve persons coucerned in the above outrage. The Court allowed Rules against sir only of the parties complained of, alledging that this would answer the end desired as well as including a larger number. DISSENTERS' privileges. We copy the following article from the Evangelical Magazine, from our wish to give it as much publicity as possible, As acts of violence have lately been resorted to in various instances, to intimidate pious persons who meet for social worship under the wing of the Toleration Act, it may be useful to know whither they may look with confidence for that protection to which they are entitled, by the liberal laws of this free country. We therefore present to our read ers a list of gentlemen who are appointed a Committee for this year, to protect the civil rights of their brethren : W. Smith, Esq. M. P. Chair man, Park Street; J. Gurney, Esq. Dep. Chairman, Sergeants' Inn; J. Gutteridge, Esq. Trea. Camberwell; J. Collins, Esq. Dep. Treas. Spital Square; J. Hardcastle, Esq. Hatcham House; Deptford; W. Tilford, Esq. U nion Street: Bishopsgate; B. B. Beddome, Esq. Fenchurch Street; H. Waymouth, Esq. Wandsworth Common; J. Towle, Esq. Walworth; J. Stonard, Esq. Tower Hill; N. W. Bromley, Esq. Grays' Inn; G. Hammond, Esq. Whitechapel, T. Stiff, Esq. New Street; Covent Garden; W. Freme, Esq. Catharine Court, Tower Hill; J. Luck, Esq. Clapton; S. Jackson, Esq. Hack ney; J. Bunnell, Esq. Southamp. Row, Bloomsbury: S. Favill, Esq Grove Hill, Camberwell; N. Child, Esq. Bishopsgate Within; A. Maitland, Esq. Peckham; T. Wilson, Esq. Islington; J. T. Rutt, Esq. Goswel Street; J. Gibson, Esq. Gt. St. Helens'; T. Maitland, Esq. Walworth; W Hale, Esq. Homerton. CASE. The Baptist Church at Cradley, in Worcestershire, take this opportunity of stating their ne cessitous Case to the public. There is now a debt of about one hundred pounds upon their place of worship, which they have no prospect of being able to discharge; the Church being composed of none but poor people. As About a Year ago, they sent many Letters, post paid, requesting assistance. Some of the Churches have kindly sent their Donations, for which they return them their hearty thanks. only one or two Pounds was requested of each congregation, they earnestly intreat the other Churches, or any generous individuals to comply with their request as soon as possible. When they have received so much as will enable them to pay what they owe, they promise to acknow ledge it with thanks in this public manner, that no more may be sent. Donations forwarded to Mr. T. King, Grocer, High Street, Birmingham, will be thankfully received and faithfully applied. Cradley, March 2, 1811. ORDINATION, &c. On Wednesday, Feb. 6, 1811, Mr. James White, late Pastor of the Baptist Church at Ashford, Kent, was ordained Pastor of the Particular Baptist Church, meeting at Sto ke Green, Ipswich, Suffolk. Mr. Ward of Diss, began the solemn service by reading a suitable portion of the divine word, and prayer. Mr. Brown of Stow-market described the nature of a Gospel Church, asked 176 the questions of the Church, of the In the Evening, met at he fore 7 o'clock. Mr. Pritchard of Colchester prayed, Mr. Smith of Ilford preached, from 1 Peter i. 11. The Sufferings of Christ, and the Glory that should follow. The discourse was delivered with great solemnity, and was experienced by many to be peculiarly interesting. Our ministering bro ther, Mr, Cowell, concluded the solemnities of the day, by prayer, and pronouncing the benediction. Thus as a Church, we have abundant cause for gratitude to the God of our mercies, in his not leaving us, like many of our sister Churches,long to mourn in a widow-hood state, and, in that, we were not split into factions, as many Churches are in the choice of a Pastor. A union of sentiment, and we hope of design, prevailed, and we trust there are encouraging prospects of great success. The Annual Meeting of the Herts Union for promoting the Gospel, will be held at St Albans on Wednesday, April 3rd, when Dr. Collyer and Mr. F. A. Cox, are expected to preach. The half yearly district meeting of the particular baptist denomination will be held at Bath, on the last Wednesday in this month (April) Messrs. Edmonson and Saunders are expected to preach.. "In thy Favour is Life." How I love the plains extended, And the waste is most endearing, But, bereave me of this Treasure, Hills, and bowers, and plains may be Printed at Smith's Printing Officee Tiverton THE BAPTIST MAGAZINE. MAY, 1811. Brief Memoirs of the English Baptists. SECTION VII. From the Decease of Queen Anne to the close of the Year 1716, SOME time previous to the death of Queen Anne, agents of France and Rome artfully introduced the Pretender into favour at Court, and otherwise did all in their power to forward, in case of her Majesty's demise, his accession to the British Throne. Had their intrigues succeeded, the liberty of the country would have been thrown down, and the property of the people taken to support wickedness in high places; but Jehovah disap pointed their crafty devices, so that they could not perform their enterprize. The diadem was given to George the first, and the land saved from superstition and slavery. This favorable providence was highly acceptable to all wise-hearted Englishmen, and a pious poet endeavoured to encourage national gratitude and loyalty by writing the following lines upon the occasion. Britons, George is the name, that glorious star ; Saw in the east your joys arise, When ANNA sunk in western skies, Streaking the heavens with crimson gloom, Emblems of tyranny and Rome, WATTS. The king landed at Greenwich, September 18, 1714, and was joyfully received and triumphantly conducted to the metropolis Vol. III. B b |