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and concluded with prayer. The services of the day were peculiarly interesting, and the divine presence appeared to be enjoyed.

ULEY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

On Wednesday, July 9, 1828, Mr. Benjamin Francis, late of Bradford Academy, was set apart to the pastoral office of the Baptist church at Uley, Gloucestershire, formerly under the pastorate of the Rev. Wm. Catton, now of Chipping Norton.

The Rev. Wm. Yates, of Stroud, commenced the services by reading and prayer; the Rev. D. D. Evans, of Pont-rhydyrnn, described the nature of a Christian church, advocated the principles of dissent, and afterwards received Mr. Francis's confession of faith. The Rev. D. White, of Cirencester, offered the ordination prayer; Dr. Steadman delivered the charge, from 2 Cor. ii. 14; the Rev. Wm. Winterbotham addressed the church from 1 Thess. v. 12, 13; and the Rev. Mr Lewis (Independent) concluded by prayer.

Met again in the evening. The Rev. J. Jackson, of Gloucester, read and prayed; brother D. D. Evans preached from Matt. xii. 43-45; and afterwards Dr. Steadman, from John iii. 30; and the Rev. Mr. Griffiths (Independent minister of Cann) concluded with prayer.

ADDLESTONE.

a Christian church, and asked the usual. questions; the Rev. J. Dyer offered the ordination prayer; the Rev. W. H. Murch gave a most able and interesting charge, from Col. i. 7; and the Rev. R. Davis concluded with prayer.

The evening service was commenced by the Rev. R. H. Smith (Independent), after which the Rev. I. Mann, A.M. delivered a most impressive address to the church, founded on Heb. xiii. 17. and concluded the service with prayer.

The attendance was good, and the interest excited great.

TOWERSEY, BUCKS.

Wednesday, July 30, 1828, a new Baptist meeting-house was opened at Towersey, near Haddenham, Bucks. Mr. Terry, of Risborough, preached from Ps. xcii. 1215; Mr. Aston (Independent), of Wingrove, from Ps. lxxii. 16; and Mr. Howlett, of Burford, from Phil. ii. 15, 16. Messrs. Tyler, Wiffen, Sugden, and Caterer engaged in the other services of the day. The Gospel having been preached there for twenty years in a cottage, it afforded great pleasure to witness a neat, commodious place of worship, calculated to accommodate an increased congregation and a large Sunday school. The place has cost about 1401.; towards which the friends in the small village, and the collection on the day of opening, have contributed nearly 701.

The Rev. James Hargreaves has resigned the pastoral charge of the church in Little Wild-street.

July 10, 1828, the Rev. R. Grace was publicly recognized as the pastor of the Baptist church meeting at Addlestone, near Chertsey, Surrey. The Rev. Mr. Wilmshurst opened the services by reading and prayer; the Rev. Thomas Tilly, of Portsea, The following sums, resulting from the (Mr. G.'s late pastor) described the nature profits of this Magazine, were voted to the of a Gospel church and prayed the ordina-widows whose initials are subjoined, at the tion prayer; the Rev. G. Pritchard proposed recent half-yearly meeting of proprietors :— the usual questions and preached the sermon to the people, from Mark ix. 50; the Rev. J. Ivimey gave the charge, from Acts xiv. 1-3; the brethren Hawson, Fuller, and Wilmshurst engaged in the devotional exercises of the day. Many, we trust, could say, "It was good for us to be there." The Rev. Robert Bowyer of Byfleet preached in the evening.

HENRIETTA STREET, BRUNSWICK-SQUARE.

On Thursday, July 10, 1828, the Rev. Thomas Thomas, late of the Stepney Academy, was ordained to the pastoral office over the church meeting for divine worship in Henrietta-street, near Brunswick-square, London. The morning service was commenced by the Rev. J. Elvey, who read a portion of the Scriptures and prayed; the Rev. J. Hargreaves described the nature of

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NOTICE.

On Wednesday, the 3d inst. the annual meeting of the Welsh and English Baptist Education Society at Abergavenny will be held in the Baptist chapel, Frogmore-street, when the Rev. I. Mann, M.A. of London, is expected to preach. Public service to commence at eleven o'clock in the forenoon.,

SEPTEMBER, 1828.

It is said that some of the political Roman Catholics in Ireland ridicule the attempts which are made to propagate and extend the principles of the Reforma. tion in that country. If any have been influenced by political motives while they have professed protestant zeal, they will doubtless experience disappointment; yet the attempts to educate the children of the peasantry in Scriptural knowledge will not be in vain : nor can the public reading of the Scriptures be lost labour: it is a mean which God has always blessed: to such instrumentality the Reformation in Europe in the sixteenth century is mainly to be attributed. Let the similarity between the humble exertions and the effects produced by the Irish Readers of the Scriptures, and the following statement of a judicious modern writer be observed -" It was about the year 1150 that several parts of the continent had become pervaded by men, chiefly of the poorer and laborious classes of life, who were forming themselves into little religious communities, distinct from the established Catholic church, and who had the Scriptures with them in their vernacular languages, and were intently and critically comparing the tenets, system, and conduct of the papal clergy, with the precepts and instructions of the Evangelists and Apostles."

A popish historian, Reiner, says, one of the main causes of their progress was that they had translated the Old and New Testament into the vulgar tongue. I have seen," he adds, "a rustic who could repeat all Job word for word, and many who knew perfectly the New Testament." It was their reproach to the Catholic clergy, "It is rare to find a doctor among you who knows by heart three chapters together of the New Testament; but we have scarcely any man or woman who cannot repeat it in their own language !"*

The statements made by our superintendants of the number of chapters committed to memory by the children of our schools would exceed credibility, were it not for the evidence upon which such statements rest. The following four letters addressed to Mr. Ivimey, contain honourable testimonies from gentlemen in the popish counties of Clare and Limerick, as to the utility of the Irish Readers, and of the schools, and will be read by the supporters of the Society with pleasure.

The Committee feel much indebted to those friends in Wales who so kindly received their agent, the Rev. Stephen Davis of Clonmell, in his late visit: it will be seen that he collected upwards of 1107. in the principality. The general expressions of approbation in all parts of the United Kingdom which have been visited on behalf of the Society, very much encourage the Committee to hope that the funds will still be supplied, notwithstanding the Treasurer has not sufficient in hand to meet the expenditure of the present quarter.

The Committee, anxious to increase the number of acceptable and zealous ministers in the service of the Society in Ireland, and who may also be suitable to engage occasionally as efficient collectors, have engaged at their last meeting the Rev. John Franks, late of Newport, in the Isle of Wight, who is to take up his residence at Thurles, where there is a small congregation, and to itinerate in the towns and villages of the vicinity.

History of England during the Middle Ages. Vol. v. p. 121. By Sharon Turner. Second Edition.

From Thomas Mahon, Esq.
Ennis, June 16, 1828.

MY DEAR SIR,

AMONGST the many means the Lord has been pleased to order for the spiritual improvement of this ignorant country, I know of none for which we have more cause to be

been done by your Irish Scripture Readers, The opposition of our Roman Catholic priests, and of their bishop (who resides in this neighbourhood), have been violent and unceasing, and they have compelled many of their flock, by their threats and anathemas, to withdraw their children from the Ballycarr schools; still, however, the parents of many of them are so convinced of the benefits to be derived from a scriptural education, that they continue to send them to the schools, in spite of all the threats held forth; and both parents and children are so desirous to hear the word of God read and explained, that all our Testament readers attend every Tuesday and Friday at one of their houses, and at my house every Lord's day, to hear the Scriptures read, and also attend an evening lecture and prayer every Sabbath; and when our kind and pious friend Mr. Thomas favours us with a visit, his arrival is soon made known, and a considerable number attend in the evening to hear him preach. These are, in my humble opinion, very gratifying consequences of the establishment of your schools here.

thankful than the exertions of the Baptist Society, proceeding upon the strictly scriptural principle of making known to every creature, through the written word, the glad tidings of the everlasting Gospel. We might have anticipated that the blessing of the Most High would have been shed upon its labours, and so, in fact, are we now able to testify, that wherever its operation has been unimpeded, its efficacy and suitableness to the wants of this country have been fally developed. Many, who (as far as we can see) would never otherwise have heard of a Saviour's love, have had their attention directed to it through its exertion, and peace and good order have generally resulted amongst those who have had the benefit of your schools. It is true, your Society has met great opposition-but what society, having scriptural objects, has not experienced some portion of similar aggression? Should we not rather anticipate and expect, that in proportion to the spirituality of the proceedings of each, so will be the oppo-ing the schools, or of the number of those sition of the enemy; but he of good cheer; be assured the people of this country are most anxious to avail themselves of the benefits of your Society, and though they may for a season be held in bondage, under the relentless tyranny of their priests (the only obstacles to the circulation of divine truth), their minds are too rapidly opening to submit much longer to the pressure, and the cords by which they are bound must soon give way. It would be grievous indeed, at this interesting crisis, that any circumstance should prevent your Society's perseverance here.

"The fields are white for the harvest," and may the Lord give it the means of extending its work and labour of love.

I remain, my dear Sir,
Your faithful and obedient servant,
THOMAS MAHON.

Permit me to say, that you will form a very fallacious estimate of the benefits conferred on this country by your preachers, your readers, and your schools, if you found it merely in the number of children attend

who gladly admit your readers into their houses, or flock to hear your preachers. You will be so good as to recollect, that all these are done in defiance of the threats of the Roman Catholic clergy, of the prejudices of early education, and even of the persecution of the nearest friends and relations, of the violence of which no one can form an idea who has not resided in this country.

With sincere and fervent prayer to our God and Father for the success of the cause in which your Society has so zealously engaged in various quarters of the world, I remain, dear Sir, Yours very faithfully,

J. COLPOYS.

From J. Colpoys, Esq.

DEAR SIR,

Ballycan, June 16, 1828.

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Imagining that it may be satisfactory to your Society to receive from me some statement of the progress my school at Birdhill has made, notwithstanding the unceasing It may perhaps be the wish of your So- opposition it has met with from its comciety to hear something of the state of the mencement, several years back, to the preschools they have patronised in this part of sent moment, I have the pleasure to inform Ireland. Under that impression, I am anxi-you that it is increasing, and from the great ous to state to you the effects of those you and evident benefit perceivable in the chilhave established here, as well as what has dren (some of whom have many chapters.

in the word of God committed to memory), | a large school, just built and furnished by I have every sanguine expectation of great me, under their auspices. As I am become good heing done in this sadly benighted a subscriber to your Society, though a native neighbourhood, as not only the children, and resident of this unfortunate land, I but many of their parents, though Roman- never could believe, till I became a little ists, are, notwithstanding the threats of more thoughtful on the one thing needful, of their pastors, constant in their attendance, the melancholy state of my poor suffering whenever Mr. Thomas or other ministers countrymen; they are sunk in the very proclaim the glad tidings of the glorious lowest degree of ignorance and superstition, Gospel of our Divine Redeemer, which is and the tyranny of the priests is quite dreadfrequently done at my house, the congrega-ful. I have been frequently told, that they tion sometimes amounting to nearly one hundred persons; and what makes it more hopeful is, that the attendance of the children is quite voluntary, as no compulsion is used, notwithstanding the unfounded assertions of their pastors.

thought it a greater siu to eat meat on a Friday, than to kill twenty people. In fact, the power of the priests is quite absolute, they think themselves bound implicitly to obey any orders, without daring to question their authority.

Patrick Gunning has passed two days here: he appears very zealous in the cause, and in general the poor people listen to the readers with attention. I will conclude with thanks for sending those spiritually-minded men to me.

A. BEVAN.

The number of children in this school are between eighty and ninety. When I found the school increasing, imagining my old school house would be too small, 1 built a neat commodious one at my own expence, contrived so as to have the boys and girls separate, and they have a very respectable female residing constantly at the school, who acts as matron and schoolmistress, as they are taught domestic employments out From the Rev. Stephen Davis to the Secreta of school hours, to fit them for service, &c. I think the readers that occasionally visit us, and have regular stationary appointments, have done, and will still do much more good in increasing that spirit of inquiry that is so much increasing among the lower classes,mittance from Wales to our respected Treaand I trust in God will still continue, to the salvation of many of the poor deluded multitude by whom this spot is surrounded. I am, Sir,

Your obedient humble servant,
A. ORMSBY.

From the Rev. W. Young.

Clare, Ennis, June 14, 1828.

MY DEAR SIR,

As you wish my opinion as to the system pursued by the Baptist Society in Ireland, I have great pleasure in being enabled to state, that as far as I am acquainted with its operations, it has my hearty approbation.

From A. Bevan, Esq. to Rev. W. Thomas.

Comas, June 6, 1828.

REV. SIR, Stephen Ryan, one of your Itinerant Scripture Readers, has just left me, after his third visit to this neighbourhood. He is undoubtedly a highly-gifted poor man, and "mighty in the Scriptures;" the facility with which he refers from one part of the holy bible to prove another, is quite asto nishing. He is a great credit to you, and I hope will bring many souls into his Master's vineyard. I have been so pleased with the exertions of your Society, that I have placed

ries.

Haverfordwest, July 15, 1828.

MY DEAR SIRS,

I have transmitted herewith my last re

surer, and hope to be on the water to-morrow on my return to Clonmel. The following is the amount obtained at the respective places (including Waterford), and particulars shall be forwarded for the Report as soon as the list can be prepared.

*

My labour and fatigue during this tour have certainly been considerable. I have also met with various disappointments and untoward circumstances, and my unaoquaintedness with the Welsh language has been a great disadvantage; but the kindness of the ministers and people wherever I have been has been very great, and demands my parti. cular acknowledgment, and has endeared the land of my fathers more than ever to my heart.

I have seen manifestations of zeal for the conversion and spiritual edification of mankind, in various places in England, Scotland, and Ireland, but I never saw them to such an extent as in this country. The number of our ministers, and their devotion to their work is surprising; and the manner in which the people crowd to hear the word of God, and dwell upon the words of the preacher, is most delightful. Never did I see such an assembly as at the Association at Merthyr, assembled to hear the Gospel in the open

*For the account, see the List of Contributions on the next page.

S. DAVIS.

CONTRIBUTIONS.

field upon a week day, (though, alas! I may more than the beginnings of the latter day see an equal, or an increased number every glory. Lord's day in Clonmel, attending the Roman Catholic chapels.) I feared I should scarcely be able to make them hear, but I have reason to believe the greatest part did 80, and understood what I said; but the effect of an English sermon bears no comparison to one in the Welsh language, delivered in their own peculiar energetic manner; and I have no doubt there is a blessed work

progressing among the people, though it is attended with circumstances, in some places, which I consider very equivocal, and which ought not by any means to be encouraged.

It afforded ine much pleasure to be permitted to declare the glad tidings of salvation and to plead for Ireland, in the place at Carmarthen where my venerated grandfather used to dispense the word of life. My son preached there also, in my hearing and that of several of our relations, on his way to Ireland. One worthy old minister, and several old members of churches in different places, introduced themselves to me, who had been baptized by my grandfather; and some who also remembered to see him baptize my father and one of my uncles, above fifty years ago; and many to whom the name of my venerated uncle, Benjamin Francis, of Horsley, is peculiarly dear. Indeed, my visit has produced a sort of resurrection of these endeared names, and the ministers have evidently felt a pleasure in telling their congregations to whom I was related; so true is it that ་་ the memory of the just is blessed." Christian affection is not dependent upon the life of the individual. Nor can it be questinoed that their memory has been profitable to the Society also, for I should not have obtained what I did in some places but for their sakes. O that the spirit of the Elijahs may rest upon the Elishas of the family!

I should have visited several other places, but was afraid the collections would not justify the unavoidable expence, and various domestic circumstances make it particularly desirable for me now to return home. I rejoice that with what I collected in London last year, I have obtained for the Society about 9001.; I hope, however, to continue with my family for a longer season at a time than has been usual of late. I much wish our brethren through the country would take up the cause of Ireland, and when the Lord's cause prospers in that interesting, but long neglected and priest-ridden country, as it does in Wales, we may in all probability cease our exertions entirely, and consider it

*Mr. L. Davis, Jun. is a student at Bristol he supplied Clonmel while his father was in Wales.

J.

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