Irish Chronicle.

The Committee of the Baptist Irish Society, under whose direction this Monthly "Chronicle" will be published, indulge the hope that their letters of correspondence with the Sister Kingdom will constantly furnish a supply of gratifying intelligence.

THE Secretary has received some very interesting documents from Mr. D'Arcy Sirr, respecting the "Irish Society for promoting the education of the native Irish through the medium of their own language." The Committee is composed of 21 gentlemen of the established church. The objects are specified in the title, and explained in the rules, viz. "That the exclusive objects of this Society be to instruct the native Irish, who still use their vernacular language, how to employ it as a means for obtain ing an accurate knowledge of English; and for this end, as also for their moral amelioration, to distribute among them the Irish Version of the Scriptures by Archbishop Daniel and Bishop Bedell, the Irish Prayer Book, where acceptable, and such other works as may be necessary for school books, disclaiming, at the same time, all intentions of making the Irish language a vehicle for the communication of useful knowledge."

Convocations," &c. &c. To give some idea of the spirit which pervades this excellent pamphlet, the last two pages are copied, viz. "If, then, Richardson* appealed to the evidence of the two preceding centuries against this objection [to teach the Irish language] we may unfortunately appeal to the testimony afforded by an additional century which has elapsed since his time. Melancholy and frightful is it to reflect, how many, during that period, have been left awfully ignorant of what most materially concerned their immortal souls. Let then the experience of up wards of three centuries shew us how little we should rely on the gradual increase of the English language, to supersede the present necessity of imparting the rules of faith in a language that is understood. But even admitting the possibility that, in consequence of an extended education, and a free inter course through all parts of the country, This Society have also performed an the increased knowledge of English important and acceptable service in pub- must take place in future with more ra lishing "A brief Sketch of various At- pidity than heretofore, and must thus, tempts which have been made to diffuse in the end, completely succeed in eraa Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, dicating Irish; still, however, a whole gethrough the Medium of the IRISH LAN- neration, at least, must perish before such GUAGE." Printed in Dublin, 1818. The a complete revolution can be effected. history of these attempts, from the reign And how many in that time must be born, of Elizabeth till the reign of Anne, 1711, and live, and die, without having an is very interesting; and the considera-opportunity of reading the scriptures, tion of all these exertions having been if we depend solely upon their knowledge rendered abortive by English prejudices, of English to afford that opportunity! and ceasing for more than a century, till revived by the Baptist Society in 1814, is deeply affecting. This publication speaks most respectfully of Mr. C. Anderson's "Memorial on Behalf of the Native Irish," and most triumphantly answers all the objections which have been urged against teaching that language; and confirms all the statements which have been made by the Baptist Society, as to the number of persons who are incapable of receiving moral and religious instruction through any other medium. The "Appendix" contains many original documents, of "Acts of Parliament," "Resolutions of

Surely, then, no one ought to question the propriety of making Irish the medium of moral and religious instruc tion, wherever that language is the lan guage of the cabin.

Though the attempt may not be free from every objection which ingenuity can devise, it cannot, however, be con. sidered unfair to throw the onus back on objectors, and to ask them, whether indolence, and apathy, and a sitting still

* Author of a pamplet, published in London in 1712, entitled " History of the Attempts that have been made to convert the Natives of Ireland," &c.

till schemes are proposed against which | marvellous while there?' He touched nothing can be urged, may not in themselves be open to objections? Recollect that old age is advancing, and some, (awful consideration!) perishing for lack of knowledge. Even now the brink of the precipice is crowded, the waves of time are silently eating away its base, the slip is continually falling in, and multitudes, even while we are deliberating on the expediency of giving them this instruction, are constantly dropping into eternity." Pp. 141-143.

The following is a copy of the letter addressed to the Secretary, which accompanied the above communications.

“Dublin Castle, Oct. 16, 1818.

"MY DEAR SIR,

"I beg leave to present your Committee with the documents of the Irish Society. Although our respective institutions belong to different Christian communities, I trust that neither will ever want the friendly offices of the other. So far as we respectively promote the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom, I trust we may meet with support, and no further. May I beg you will send me in return a perfect set of your reports, and believe me, dear Sir,

Yours very truly,

JOSEPH D'ARCY SIRR." Extracts from the Journal of the Rev. Isaac M'Carthy, from Sept. 22, 1818. "On Lord's-day, the 20th instant, preached at Rahue, and had an unusual congregation. The state of the school there is most pleasing. At the examination there were about 80 children present; 24 of whom repeated from five to nine chapters each in the New Testament. When one of them came to Mark i. 30, 31, I desired the children to find that chapter. I said to the child, Into whose house did Jesus enter?'

his wife's mother by the hand and the fever left her.' The children on getting home told their parents of the great power of our blessed Lord; how he only touched the woman and the fever was cured; and that St. Peter was a mar ried man, and a good husband, for he kept his wife's mother in the house though sick of a fever. This astonished the Roman Catholics; for they are taught that St. Peter never had a wife, and that it would have been wicked had he been married. Spent the week in village preaching till I arrived at Farbane, where I preached on Lord's-day, the 21st instant, administered the Lord's Supper to the church, and was as usual well attended. The next day I in spected the school, and found 95 children present. Ten of them repeated four chapters each; and all of them gave me great satisfaction.

"I am almost certain that if our English friends could have been present to hear the poor little Irish children, clothed in rags, boldly repeating the scriptures, where they now give one pound to the support of the Society, they would then give five. I wish about twenty of these children could be present at the next meeting at the London Tavern, to repeat their chapters before the gentry of the great metropolis, clothed in their ragged garments! I am of opinion it would have a more powerIful influence upon them than the most powerful speeches made by the most learned orators! In the evening I preached in the house of Mr. English, the man mentioned in your Reports, who after his conversion pulled down his still-house, in which he had made illicit whiskey. The place was filled with hearers: the whole family are walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Spirit. The next day I preached at Creggan, and formed a school there, at one moiety, eight pounds per annum. Mrs. H. is to teach it; she is a truly good woman, and very competent. The place is situated in an island, in the centre of a large bog, where about 300 persons reside, so poor that they could not procure education, so that there was no school in the village. Tuesday, I preached at Ballycumber, about eight miles from Creggan: the people crowded the house, and the door and windows.

-Peter's.' Did he do any thing

To give some idea of the revolution produced in the minds of Irish gentlemen within the last four years, on the subject of teaching the Irish language, the following extract is given of a letter to the Secretary, dated S. Aug. 15, 1814. "M'I-h is here. He highly disapproves of Mr. Anderson's IRISH scheme, and says, he endeavoured to dissuade him from it from the fullest conviction of its unsuitableness, but in vain. He also says, Mr. A. judges erroneously by drawing deductions from the success which followed that plan in the Highlands, when this kingdom does not present a similar case." Yours, &c.

A. B.

"Wednesday, proceeded to Athlone. Brother Dunlop is much esteemed, and his preaching well attended.

"October 1. I commenced my longintended journey to the province of Connaught. On Lord's-day, the 4th

informed them I purposed preaching at the Mountain River in the evening of that day, from their favourite text, James xiii. 15, Is any among you afflicted, let him pray, &c. This excited the curiosity of some to attend; others came, desirous to be instructed, and flocked to my lonely sanctuary, situate almost in the centre of a large bog. It was most delightful to see with what apparent avidity the poor creatures received the word. The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray ye, therefore, &c. "Tuesday, the 13th.-BrotherWilson,

instant, I preached at Sligo, and on the same day rode to Eskey, about twenty miles distant. The next day to Ballina, about ten miles farther; had a pleasant interview with brother Wilson, and preached in the evening: a repectable congregation attended. During this and the next day we were unremittingly employed in examining the schools on the south coast. One of the schools is kept in the Roman Catholic chapel. The Rev. father F. came to see what we were about. He asked me several times before the children, and some of his parishoners, if I could bless myself? add-R. M. and I, proceeded to Eskey, where, ing, that if I could not, I was not a Christian. I asked him, if he believed the scriptures to be the word of God? He replied, Yes.' I then asked, Whether he believed them to be a sufficient rule for our faith and conduct?' He said, Yes.' I then replied, If you will produce me one text of scripture, either in the Old or New Testament, to prove that either the prophets or apostles blessed themselves, by signing themselves with the sign of the cross on their faces, or any part of their body, I will this moment read my recantation, and become a convert to your opinions.' The parishoners present were much astonished to see his Reverence put to perfect silence.

"On Friday we returned to Ballina, and on Saturday went to the place called the Mountain River, (called in your Report the Ox Mountain.) You can scarcely form an idea of the difficulty of travelling in some parts of Ireland. I had to ride this evening nearly a mile through a river, and the rest of the way through swampy fields, and arrived about eight o'clock at the place, accompanied by R. M. The poor people were waiting my arrival, and crowded into the cabin without invitation. The next morning I preached at ten o'clock; and at two at Eskey, from Matthew, xvi. 8: I say unto thee, thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. The principal part of my congregation were Catholics, many of whom are beginning to see the errors of Popery. All present heard with the greatest attention while I shewed them, 1. What | foundation the church was built upon. 2. The nature of the spiritual edifice. 3. Its everlasting security.' One person in the congregation, after the sermon, said, he thought it was a favourable opportunity to get an explanation of the text in Matthew's Gospel, Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. I promised to preach from it the next Tuesday evening, and further

according to my promise, I preached from Matthew v. 25, 26. Agree with thine adversary quickly, &c. &c. This is one of the passages from which the priests attempt with confidence to prove Purgatory. After giving them the literal meaning of the text, I showed them that the passage proved, that if they were cast into prison they must pay all the debt themselves; and hence it was evident that neither the prayers of the priests, nor of their friends, could open the prison doors for the word of God cannot be broken. I dwelt on the pronoun thou,' in the text, shewing them that it could not be effected by proxy. What affected them most was my proving to them, that such persons should have no interest in the Saviour's blood, for they must themselves pay the uttermost farthing: and seeing they are but finite creatures, their most exquisite sufferings could never satisfy Divine justice, and therefore the debt could never be paid by them, for it was said till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. I further observed, that in human proceedings the sufferings of a prisoner make no part of the payment of his debt; therefore to be a debtor to Divine justice, without the righteousness of the Saviour being imputed to us, would expose us to the vengeance of eternal fire: for our Lord had said, He that believeth not shall be damned. This sermon caused a wonderful spirit of inquiry among both Roman Catholics and Protestants; I believe it will be remembered by many. Even while we were at dinner at the public house, we heard the father of the innkeeper, a Catholic, telling the people that salvation is in Christ alone. On Wednesday we proceeded to Sligo, inspecting the schools on the way. In this way, and in preaching, we were employed the remainder of the week. It was very pleasing to hear the children repeat the chapters which they had committed to memory, and the answers which they gave to our questions.

"Lord's day, 18th.-I preached at Coloony morning and evening, and at

The following Letter, addressed to the Committee, has been received from some Gen tleman belonging to Mr. Keen's Congre gation, dated Newry, Nov. 21, 1818.

Templehouse in the afternoon. The people flocked to hear the gospel, notwithstanding much opposition. O that I had a voice like a trumpet, to preach the free salvation of the gospel to every "In the name and on the behalf of creature throughout this benighted land! the church here, we, with grateful hearts, but I am less than the least of all saints. return you our sincere thanks for your We want labourers, men of talent, with plenty of holy fire. I have conversed great kindness in condescending to continue Mr. Keen amongst us for anwith several Roman Catholics, that other year: we deem it a peculiar have been lately made acquainted blessing from heaven. He has laboured with the gospel, who could give me a faithfully in this place during the past reason of the hope that was in them, year, and although the fruits are not so with meekness and fear. Glory to God in abundant as we could desire, yet we bethe highest! It is exhilarating to hear of the lieve there are some fruits; and though conversion of the heathen, but more so of our beginning is but small, we fondly those of our own nation, whose supersti-hope it may please the Lord that our tious principles are as preposterous and dangerous as in those countries where the Redeemer's name is not known."

The visit of Messrs. Wilson and M'Carthy to St. Patrick's Purgatory at Lough Derrig, in Donnegal, will appear in the next Chronicle.

Extract from the Journal of R. M. a

reader of the Irish Testament. "November 6. I had a long conversation with a man who is a hackler of fax. He informed me that his priest had warned him not to be familiar with me: to which he had replied, that he thought there could be no harm in hearing the v word of God read, as it was written for our learning. On another day, when the priest came to the hackler's place to hear confession, some one told the priest that the hackler thought more of the Baptist persuasion than of the Roman. The priest called the hackler to his trial immediately. I am informed,' said the priest, that you go to Mountain River, to the preaching; and why did you not tell me of it in your confession?" 'Sir,' said the hackler, I am to mention nothing in my confession but what I consider sinful.' 'O,' said the priest, we cannot allow any of our congregation to go and hear them!' The man replied, I am sure it can be no sin to hear the word of God in any place; and if it were, why should you stand in the street of Ballina to hear it yourself? Did you hear any thing wrong on the subject? When the priest said he did not, the man answered, Then why should not I hear it? Hold your peace,' said the priest, and say no more about it! I attempted to convince him how improperly some of them acted in going to confession. Oh,' said he, many of us should leave them, but we are ashamed to be cried out of the country. The spirit of opposition is dying away in a great measure, and the spirit of inquiry reviving,"

latter end shall greatly increase; for truly the harvest is great here, but the labourers are few, as the gospel is not preached in this town, (containing about 14,000 inhabitants,) except in a small congregation of Seceders. Mr. Keen preaches the gospel in a clear and concise manner, and with much earnestness, and is numerously attended in the evenings, although we regret that only a small number, as yet, attend the mid-day er mon: still we hope there will be an in crease of regular hearers, and that good will be done by his labours in this place, for he is in truth a faithful labourer in his Master's cause: however, all depends on the Divine blessing, and blessed be the Lord, we have his sure promise that his word will not return unto him void,

but will accomplish that whereunto he

sent it.

"The children of the poor will reap much benefit, we trust, from the Sunday

school which Mr. Keen has established

here; it is well attended, and the children are making good progress: such an institution was much needed in this town.

"We earnestly pray that all your exertions for the spread of the gospel, and the instruction of the ignorant in this country, and elsewhere, may be blessed by the Lord with great success, and that you may receive an ample reward from the Lord Jesus Christ at his appearing in his kingdom.

We remain, your much obliged