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lately witnessed, (if they are followed up by the means which it is the object of the Society to employ) must break in upon the unquestioning succumbency of even the most degraded of our people. It will be in vain that the efforts of a crafty and intolerant hierarchy are exerted to stifle the utterance of the press. It will be in vain that the anathemas of an alarmed priesthood, are fulminated against those who would dare to attend upon such meetings. The mind of the country has been started out of its former repose. The understanding of our people is at work, and as information upon the subjects of the controversy is that which is chiefly in demand with the lower as well as with the higher classes of Roman Catholics, either the priesthood of the Church of Rome, must descend to the arena of popular controversy, or they must surrender their people to the influence of uncontroverted truth.

To the promoters and conductors of Reformation Societies, I would venture in a spirit of Christian affection a few brief suggestions. While forward is your motto, let truth be your weapon. The Bible alone is the religion of Protestants, and under this sign you shall conquer. Let no political influence mingle with your councils or vitiate your proceedings, and it is not more certain that the religious principles of the Reformation are the principles of the Bible than it is certain that the Divine blessing will accompany and prosper every legitimate attempt at their dissemination in this country. J. E. G.

Kilkenny Bible Society. The Fifteenth Anniversary of this Society was held in the County Court House, on Thursday, Dec. 6th. Charles Madden, Esq. the Mayor, presided. The Report for the last year, was read by the Rev. P. Roe, and the several resolutions moved by the Rev. Dr. Pack, Rev. Dr. Hamilton, Rev. Henry Irwin, (one of the Secretaries to the Parent Society,) the Rev. R. Shaw, the Rev. R. Cooke, and the Rev. P. Roe.

The following is an abstract of the Reort which was read at the Meeting by the Rev Peter Roe:-"The number of books sold at the reduced prices, since the last anniversary is,-82 Bibles and 172 Testaments, making, with those previously disposed of, 1019 Bibles, and 2143 Testaments. Your Treasurer has received Subscriptions to the amount of £46 8s. 9d. and a bequest of £20 from the late Mrs. Bowers. A free donation of £30 has been made to the Parent Society, and £10 in aid of the fund for printing the Irish Bible.

During the past year, ten Bible associations in connexion with your Auxiliary were formed, by whose exertions a large number of copies of the sacred Scriptures found their way into places that had been too long neglected. Great good has already resulted from the labours of those Associations, and your Society has received from them pecuniary assistance, and what is far more desirable, friendly co-operation. Convinced that the Scriptures are divinely inspired, and able to make men wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus, your Committee would remind you, that their influence may reasonably be expected to be in proportion to their dissemination; and that therefore, in expecting great results, you must prepare for their being gradual....If Christian love, Christian tenderness, and Christian forbearance be desirable (and what is the character of the professing Christian without them?) they ought surely to be exercised when that word, which so continually enjoins them, is recommended to the notice of our fellow men.....Time flies with astonishing rapidity, and the angel will soon proclaim that it is no more; the concerns of time must therefore be comparatively unimportant, and should not be suffered to engross the whole soul, or even to occupy the first place in it: but what is there to prevent this? Nothing but the pure word of God which becomes a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart-addresses man as a sinnerproclaims his immortality, and holds up before him the very Saviour he needsthe Saviour who will stamp blessedness upon that immortality, and who will meet in heaven and crown with glory all those who upon earth were accepted in him the Beloved-were redeemed from their vain conversation -loved him in sincerity, and followed him through evil report and good report. If such a glorious redemption exists-if such blessedness is in reserve, your Committee would call your attention to the fact, that it is in the Scriptures only they are revealed; and that it is only by the belief of that revelation, that the cloud which hides from the eye of man the way of peace and prevents him from seeing the love of God in the unspeakable gift of his Son Jesus Christ, can be dispersed."

Waterford-Reformation MeetingOn Friday, Nov. 9, a large and respectable assembly was convened in the Wesleyan Chapel, Waterford, to constitute an Auxiliary to the "British Society for Promoting the Religious Principles of the Reformation." Colonel Palliser took the Chair, and the Meeting was addressed by Captain Gordon, Robert

Bourke, Esq. Rev. Dr. Hamilton, Rev. J. Palliser, Rev. Mr. Ryland, W. Mayers, Esq. Rev. Hans Caulfield, Rev. Mr. Frazer, Rev. Thomas T. Cuffe, and Captain Vernon, R. N.

London. National Education Society. On Wednesday, November 7th, the General Committee of the National Society for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church, held their Meeting at St. Martin's Vestry-Room. Present-The Lord Bishop of London, Rev. Archdeacon Pott, Rev. Dr. D'Oyly, Rev. H. H. Norris, Rev. R. Lendon, William Davis, Esq. and the Rev. Dr. Bell. Fourteen new Schools were united to the Society; and the following grants of money were voted for building, enlarging, and fitting up of School-rooms, viz.-To Stand, Manchester, £200; Aldridge, £30; Kidlington, Oxfordshire, 60; Great Brookham, Surrey, £40; Burnley, Lancashire, (additional) £150; Carmarthen, (additional) £100; Honiton, Devon, £150. many other applications for aid were taken into consideration, and several cases reserved for a meeting to be held on the first Wednesday in December.

Meeting of Jews.-At a Meeting of Jews and Christians, held at Salvador House, on Saturday, Nov. 24, for the purpose of discussing points of difference between Jews and Christians, about one hundred and fifty Jews attended, and Mr. Levy, in a very long and able speech, maintained the necessity and divine origin of the Oral Law. It was proposed, at the close of the discussion, to convene a Meeting of Jews at the London Tavern, on an early day, to take into consideration the best means of alleviating the miseries resulting to the Jews in Russia from the persecutions to which they are subjected by the late Ukase.

RENUNCIATIONS OF POPERY. Sligo.-On Sunday, Nov. 18th, one woman renounced the errors of Popery, and received the sacrament in Carry Church on Sunday, Dec. 9th, in the same, one man privately conformed to the Established Church.

Ballymachugh.-On Sunday, Dec. 2d a young man publicly renounced the errors of Popery before a large congregation in the Parish Church of Ballymac hugh, County Cavan.

Carrick on Shannon.-"A few days since, we understand, an enlightened Roman Catholic of most respectable character, who had been intended for a Clergyman of the Church of Rome, read his recantation in Carrick-on-Shannon. Report says that this gentleman's

reformation took place in consequence of a correspondence which commenced between him and some Protestant gentlemen of that town, at a time when he was first struck with the errors attached to his faith." Boyle Gazette.

UNIVERSITY OF DUBLIN.

The Annual Visitation of the College was held in the Examination Theatre, on Wednesday, Nov. 28, by his Grace the Lord Primate, as Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, one of the Visitors of the University.

Quarterly Examinations-The next Quarterly Examinations will be held for the Class of Senior Sophisters on Tuesday and Wednesday, January the 22d and 23d; for that of Junior Sophisters on Friday and Saturday, 25th and 26th; for Senior Freshmen on Monday and Tuesday, 28th and 29th; and for Junior Freshmen on Thursday and Friday, January 31st and February 1st.

The Entrance examination in January will be held on Monday, the 21st day of the month.

The subjects for the Vice-Chancellor's Prizes are, for Undergraduates, "Navarino"-in Greek, Latin, or English verse. For Graduates, "Philosophia merito religioni datur tanquam fidissima Ancilla."-Bacon, Nov. Org. in Greek, Latin, or English prose.Compositions with fictitious signatures to be sent in on or before the 21st of January.

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLI

GENCE.

The Rev. John W. Stokes has been instituted by the Lord Bishop of Leighlin and Ferns, to the Rectory of Edermine, a Prebend in the Diocese of Ferns, vacant by the death of the Rev. Mr. St. Eloy.

The Rev. Mr. Kyle, Curate of Rutland, in the Diocese of Leighlin, has been instituted by the Lord Bishop of Leighlin and Ferns, to Cloyday, a Prebend in the Diocese of Leighlin, vacant by the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Stokes.

The Dean of Dromore and parishioners of Ahascragh, county Galway, have presented an address to their Curate, the Rev. Peter Browne, on his removal from that parish.

The Rev. James Williams has been appointed to the curacy of Rutland, vacant by the appointment of the Rev. Mr. Kyle.

The Lord Bishop of Killala has been pleased to appoint the Rev. William

Cromie to the living of Monsea, vacant by the death of the Rev. Mr. Hawkshaw.

The Lord Bishop of Killala has instituted the Rev. George Trulock, A,B. to the Prebend of Lacken, together with the Vicarage of Lacken, Templemurry, and Kilcummin, in the Diocese of Killala; and also the Rev. Francis Little, A. B. to the united Vicarages of Dunfeenny and Kilbreedy, in said Diocese, vacant by the cession of the Rev. J. Little, A. M.

Ordinations.-At an Ordination held in the Cathedral of Ferns, on Sunday, Dec. 2, by the Lord Bishop of Ferns, the following gentlemen were ordained:

DEACONS Norman Garstin, A. B. Peter Mooney, A. B. for the Diocese of Leighlin and Ferns; Edward Hearn, A. B. with letters dismissory from the Bishop of Kildare.

PRIESTS-Chas. Cooper, A. B. Jas.

Williams, A. B. and Solomon Donovan,
A. B. for the Diocese of Leigblin and
Ferns.

Sunday, Dec. 9th, the Bishop of Killaloe held an Ordination at Nenagh Church, when ten gentlemen were admitted into the Order of Priest and Deacon.

New Church-On Sunday, the 14th October, the new Church of Preban, Co. Wicklow, was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Ferns, in presence of a numerous and respectable congregation. The Morning Service was read by the Rev. J. M. Symes, and a sermon preached by his Lordship's Chaplain, the Rev. John W. Stokes. On the above occasion the Bishop presented the parish with a very handsome service of communion plate. There are now three churches in a union which until lately had but one.

OBITUARY.

MISS HARRIETT A. W. GAYER.

66

The triumphant death of the Christian is cheering to the survivors. It enlarges the number of witnesses to the Word of God, which excite and encourage those who are running the race of the Gospel. The Apostle thus argues : Seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith,"

The following account I give upon my own knowledge, and were her friends consulted for information it could easily be abundantly enlarged.

At the age of 19 years, full of health, of active vigour, and of cheerfulness, the subject of this short memoir, was recently and suddenly cut down like the lily of the field, and summoued by the Lord of all into the eternal world. She attended service in Booterstown Church twice, on the last Sunday she ever beheld the house of God, and it is curious to remark, she occupied the same place in the same seat, that had been occupied by the late excellent Secretary to the Sunday-school Society of Ireland, when he last joined in the public prayers and praises of God-their illness was similar and lasted the same number of days. On this last Sunday she was slightly ill in Church, on Tuesday following she was much worse, and on the next Tuesday at 3 o'clock, in the afternoon, she finished her course, and entered into the joy of the Lord. In him, the Sunday-school Society of Ireland lost its earliest, its dearest friend, and the school in this parish, lost in her departure a zealous, kind and spiritual teacher. But they have gone to join the host above and sing for ever the song of Moses and the Lamb. How uncertain the tenure of this life, how frail the possession of worldly goods. how needful to fix the affections on things above, not on things of earth!! With every reason to be full of hope, that she should enjoy an earthly bliss in an union with an enlightened and spiritual minister of the Gospel-instead of the bridal dress which, had she lived a few days longer, would have adorned her person, she is now enshrouded in the tomb, and the wild flowers blossom on her grave!! It is thus the Omniscient mocks the hopes of man, writes vanity on the affairs below, and points him to hereafter. For about six months previous to her death she manifested a remarkable change of sentiment and conduct. She could hardly relish any conversation but such as related to the hopes and promises of the Gospel, and was occupied every day during four or five hours in the study of the Scriptures and other useful books-she was frequently found alone in her chamber with the door shut, kneeling at the throne of Grace, and the pages of the Bible

spread before her. She was often heard to say during that period, she would deem it the highest honour and privilege to be amongst the heathen as Missionary of the Gospel. But death in his mysterious movements has suddenly summoned her amid all the bloom of youthful vigour and fair expectation into the world of spirits! Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, for they rest from their labours. The papers which she left display most clearly the state of her mind, the triumph of the Gospel in her soul, they were full of extracts from sermons which she heard, of remarks on books which she read ; and amongst them was a short journal in which she detailed her feelings and experience, and like all those who sincerely hunger and thirst after righteousness, in these pages, she often lamented the slowness of her progress in the heavenly course. I had the privilege of examining those papers. But her Bible de. monstrates indeed, the transforming power, the triumph of Christianity in her heart. On the first leaf was written with her own pen" Search the Scriptures”—and the pages of the sacred book display her obedience to the precept. From Genesis to Revelation it was copiously marked with her pencil, especially the New Testament: those passages which teach of the Deity, and worship and honour of Jesus- the fulness and freedom of salvation through the alone sacrifice of the cross-the need of a regeneration of man's corrupt heart, the humility and holiness of life which essentially distinguish the followers of Christ, were carefully and critically marked. Those marks were made with such skill and tuste as indicate much intellectual and spiritual acumen, and though her race in vital religion had been but short; yet still she acquired great spirituality in so brief a period. I felt myself humbled before the book. These facts are the more remarkable, because to the eye of God only was it known how far she was influenced by the religion of the heart. Truly humble in her own estimation she communed only with the Father that heareth in secret, in all the extent of her spiritual influence. The pearl of great price was in her bosom, it was no ostentatious ornament, it was worn in her heart, and bad she lived, no doubt it would have been seen by her holy life and conversation, in all its richness and beauty. Her religion was not profession nor words, it was like the stream that meanders in secret over the verdant lawn, whose course is known only by the rich luxuriance that marks its path. Her bible, her papers, her prayers, the cottage, the school-house, and the poor, could tell the Cbristianity that warmed her heart. This precious Bible and these papers are a more glorious trophy to be preserved by friends, than ever was won in the field of Mars, in the bar, or senate, or amid the conflicts of human interests. To God alone is all the praise due, who gave the Holy Spirit to this his servant, who taught her to call Jesus Lord, and look unto him as the Author and finisher of her faith.

The following beautiful and comprehensive prayer, written by herself, was copied from the fly leaf of her Bible

"Grant O gracious Lord that this thy Sacred Word may be my daily study, my only guide and rule through life, my greatest comfort here below, and the medium through which I may discern my hope of heaven hereafter. Grant that the glorious truths I here behold may be so deeply fixed upon my inmost heart that nothing may ever be able to shake my trust and confidence in thee. Give me O my God, an humble and teachable Spirit, and so confirm and strengthen my faith in Thee, who art an incomprehensible God, that I may firmly believe here below on earth what in heaven I trust to comprehend. Enable me by the assistance of thy blessed Spirit so to look unto Jesus the Author and finisher of my faith, so to place all my trust and dependance on bis all prevailing merits that I may be justified freely and finally by thy grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus-hearken unto these my petitions most merciful Father for the alone sake of my crucified, my risen, my ascended Saviour." Amen.

The following prayer was taken down as she was heard repeat it on Sunday, two days previous to her death, and which its writer states was pronounced in a tone of voice, which sufficiently indicated the extreme pain she was suffering, but which was indeed borne with a Christian-like resignation to the will of Him in whom alone she trusted.

"O God of all mercy look down with an eye of pity upon me, thy poor unworthy servant, and for his sake who died for me, relieve my pain, if it be thy will, if not give me patience to bear it till it is-may I indeed find in Thee, a God of preservation, a God of sanctification, and a God of redemption." Amen.

A. S.

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

At

The public have been kept in most anxious suspense, by the want of information from Constantinople. We would fain hope, that the severe blow received by the Porte, will dispose that weak and despotic government to accede to the terms offered by the Allied Powers. home rumours of a change of Ministry, owing to Lord Goderich's illness, have been prevalent, but we are inclined to believe them premature. His Lordship's retirement would probably either restore the Tory Ministry under Mr. Peel, or give a decided Whig aspect to the Government; we should think from the

feeling of the English public, the former to be the more likely. Ireland has changed her Chief Governor, and whatever sentiments we may entertain with regard to the administration of Lord Wellesley, his government has been marked by one of the most important measures that have ever promised to procure tranquillity for the people; we allude to the Tythe Composition Act, which is circulating in the country with great advantage to the people, comfort to the clergy, and most materially conducing to advance the interests of the Established Church.

POETRY.

THE IRISHMAN'S PETITION.

When the famine was sore in our desolate land,
And pestilence threaten'd what famine had spar'd,
Our kind English brethren, with bountiful hand,
Relief for our wants and our sorrows prepar'd.

For our late empty garners their harvests provide,
O'er our limbs the warm garment their charity throws;
No kindness unthought of, no want unsupplied,

In full stream through our country their sympathy flows.
They ask not, they think not, if grateful we aim
Our sense of this brotherly bounty to prove;
Their pity our passport, and suff'rings our claim,
Their thought is but what may these suff'rings remove.
With industry too, they would brighten our shore,
And their own peaceful arts to our children extend;
Task their wise and their noble our case to explore,
And for ev'ry affliction an antidote send.

And what lack we more? Can benevolence yield
What British benevolence yet has denied?

Can Christian philanthropy point to a field

By British philanthropy still undescried?

Then what lack we more? We lack that which alone
Can consecrate all that your bounty has given;

Can open our way to a Saviour's high throne,

And add to earth's blessings the promise of heaven.
Yes! we lack that alone which can victory give
Over sorrow and sin, over death and the grave;
Which can say to the contrite, Look upwards and live,
Through Him who has suffer'd, the guilty to save.
'Tis true, o'er our land this bright record is spread,
Wherever your faith and your language are known;
In our dear native tongue it alone is unread,
And its pages still seal'd in our cabins alone.
Oh! then, while the Hindoo and Esquimaux share
The bounty that flows from the Line to the Pole,
Let your poor IRISH BROTHER not sink in despair,
"He finds no one to care for his soul!"

And say,

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