Part 7

It is intended, Providence permitting, to hold the approaching Annual Meeting of the Society at the City of London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, on Friday morning, the 19th instant. Breakfast at six o'clock, and the chair to be taken at seven precisely. It is expected that the Rev. William Thomas, of Limerick, one of the society's earliest agents, will be present, and communicate to the meeting much interesting intelligence.

On the previous Monday, the 15th instant, the claims of the society will be advocated, at the Rev. J. E. Giles's chapel, Salters' Hall, by the Rev. E. Steane, of Camberwell, who has kindly consented to preach the Annual Sermon. Service to commence at half-past six in the evening.

* * * * *

_To the_ =Secretary=.

_Limerick, April 18th, 1835._

My dear Sir,

Having only returned to this from various places where I have been visiting the schools and preaching as usual, and must go off in the morning to preach at Castle Connell and O'Briens bridge, and trying to grasp every thing, I have only time to write a few lines, and with them send the readers' journals, as they must go off by the next post, to be in time. I was much delighted with the Bristol and Keppel Street Schools, which I have just seen, though in different directions. I trust I was very useful at Ballycar, where a young lady, twenty years and two months old, was called in a few hours into eternity, the niece of Major Colpoys, and daughter of Alderman Abbott of Dublin; she died in the Lord, and left several unquestionable testimonies.

Purged in the flood which flowed from Jesu's side, She lived a Christian, and a Christian died.

I attended her funeral, and gave several lectures at Ballycar, which I trust tended to instruct and comfort: several were much affected. I wrote since a letter, which I hope may be accompanied with a blessing to her amiable family in Dublin.

I have been since my return preaching at Castle Connell and at Cloughjordan, and have been this week to Maththeal, to try to get a place of our own in that town for preaching; it is much wanted, and it is the next town (though poor and yet populous) in consequence to Limerick in the county. Good Mr. Finch took me in his gig from Finchly, there and back; I lectured there, and he gave me £3. for the Society, and promised me another pound. He and his truly pious and worthy lady treated me with great kindness.

Your's, &c. =W. Thomas.=

* * * * *

_To the_ =Secretary=.

_Coolany, April 20th, 1835._

Dear Brother,

Notwithstanding all the opposition that is made to some of our schools in this district, still there is every reason to believe that this opposition is useless, and, instead of the enemy accomplishing what he desires, it will by the blessing of God have a direct tendency to further the object it wishes to suppress, and strengthen the cause it aims to destroy. It appears to me that ignorance is already so far removed from the bulk of the peasantry, that every attempt to keep them from seeking instruction will prove a failure. It is evident to every one that makes a little observation, education is removing ignorance; and every attempt to stop its advancing progress will prove abortive, and from whatever persons it may proceed, will expose them to infamy and shame. However numerous may be our opposers, so long as we are pursuing the welfare of man in accordance with the principles of divine truth, whatever difficulties we may have to contend with, we need not be held in suspense with regard to the issue. May it be our concern to pursue our course in the spirit of Christians, then our feeble exertions will have the approbation and blessing of God! "And who is he that will harm you if ye be followers of that which is good?"

With this you will also receive the journals of the inspectors and sabbath readers. I hope that the Lord is blessing their labours in leading sinners to the knowledge of the truth, in promoting the doctrines of the gospel, and the advancement of his own glory. Many of the people are beginning to feel anxious to read the Scriptures for themselves, and to feel the importance of taking them as their only guide; and, whilst there are some that implicitly lean to the authority of the priest, there are others who reject the traditions of men, and claim the indisputable right of judging for themselves in matters that relate to the salvation of the soul, and the glory of God.

During the present month, besides supplying at Ballina on the Sabbath during Mr. Allen's absence, I have visited several places in the country, and hope to visit them as often as I possibly can. The preaching of the gospel, accompanied by the blessing of God, like the waters of a mighty river, bears down all before it; and Jehovah has promised that it shall rise and expand, like the waters of the deluge, until it cover the whole earth, and universally prevail. A few Roman Catholics have attended preaching since I came to reside in this village. May the Lord give me wisdom and understanding that I may be wise to win souls to Christ, and more grace that I may be more devoted to his service!

Your's &c. =J. Bates.=

* * * * *

_To the_ Rev. =J. Bates=.

_Easky, Mar. 30, 1835._

Since my last letter I travelled through parts of the counties of Latrun and Sligo, earnestly endeavouring as usual, by reading, conversation, and expounding the Scriptures, to promote the design of our Institution among my friends and acquaintances.

Within one mile of Dromahare, I entered the house of an old woman of ninety-eight years, with whom I had often-times before conversed, on the doctrine of justification by faith; when she understood I had arrived, she sent for me, stretched out her hand, and said she was happy to see me before death would call her away. I told her I was sorry to see her so low, but as it was the will of the Lord, we ought to be resigned to his will. I asked her what her dependance was? Her reply was, In Jesus Christ alone, and that she had derived great comfort from reading some tracts I had left her, the last time I was with her; I said to her, "Have you never done any thing to please God?" "O no, Sir, I was too long of that opinion, and through hearing you, and reading the parts of the Scriptures you pointed out to me, I am persuaded that all the power and the glory is the Lord's." I was rejoiced to find so great a change in this poor woman, and endeavoured to point out to her the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world. I read several chapters of the word of God, and prayed with her. I conversed and read with many Protestants and Roman Catholics during my journey, as well as in the neighbourhood in which I live; many of them will pay great attention, while others think they are not safe to hear me read the Scriptures.

=F. Irwin.=

* * * * *

_To the_ Rev. =W. Thomas=.

_Ballycar, April 13, 1835._

I forward you an account of my labours, during the past month. March 17th. In Crussagh, I read Matt. xxv. to four persons, pointing out to them, from the parable of the ten virgins, the absolute necessity of watchfulness, and of being prepared to meet our Lord when he doth come. March 22nd. In Newmarket, I read 2 Cor. v. to two persons, pointing out to them the full assurance which the apostle Paul had of the immediate happiness, in eternal felicity, after death, when he could say, "We know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." One of these persons said he could not be convinced that any poor sinner could be good enough to enter heaven, or appear in the presence of God, without being cleansed from his sins in purgatory. As to goodness, our Lord declares, "after all we have done, we are unprofitable servants." And he says of the unprofitable servant, "Take and bind him, hand and foot, and cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness, where there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth." Again, we read in Eph. ii. 8. "By grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast." Again in Titus iii. 5, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." After reading different passages of Scripture to these persons, proving that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God eternal life through Jesus Christ," I endeavoured to convince them, from different passages of Scripture, that Christ, after having purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. March 28th. In Drumline, I read John v. endeavouring to impress on the minds of three persons the necessity of reading the Scriptures, and of obeying that direct command of our Lord's, who says, "Search the Scriptures." One of these persons replied, that the Scriptures ought to be read by every person, and he was convinced any person preventing others from reading them, had a great deal to answer for. April 2nd. I read to two persons Matt. vi. pointing out to them the crime of persons who repeat the Lord's prayer, who have the smallest enmity to others, showing them they were not calling upon God to forgive them, but they were calling upon him to condemn them, as long as such a spirit of hatred existed in their minds. These persons never seemed to have considered this before, and seemed much alarmed at the idea of it. April 5. In Quin, I read Luke xi. to five persons, pointing out to them the great inducement which our Lord gives to prayer, when he says, "If a son ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him!" April 10. In Granahan, I read Acts v. to four persons, pointing out to them the dreadful visitation of God's judgment on Ananias and Sapphira, in consequence of a lie, showing them from different portions of Scripture, that liars are set down with murderers.

=Samuel Cross.=

* * * * *

_To_ =Rev. J. Allen=.

_Ballina, April 18, 1835._

Dear Sir,

It is now about twelve months since I entered on the active duties of my station at Easky. On beholding opposition directed against the cause of Christ from various quarters, and conscious of my own weakness, I commenced my labours with a trembling heart. In humble dependence on Him who can do infinitely more than short-sighted mortals can comprehend, I entered the field, and, the Lord's name be praised, experienced that "the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong;" and though "there are many devices in man's heart, nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord shall stand." In the commencement, Roman Catholics and nominal Protestants were unwilling to come under the preaching of the gospel; but at present Roman Catholics, as well as Protestants, are regular in their attendance at preaching; and the spirit of inquiry, that prevails among both parties, exceeds any thing that I have hitherto witnessed. May not the friends of Christ hail with rapture the approach of that period, when their exertions on behalf of Ireland will be rewarded, and their hopes realized? Yes: there is at present much cause of thankfulness, that their labours have been already abundantly owned, and the word of the Lord is gone forth, and is daily prospering in the things whereunto it was sent.

During the spring, as the people can come a longer distance, the congregations, on the Sabbath-days, are larger than in winter, but on the week-days not so well attended in the villages, as the people are employed in the fields. However, I endeavour to meet them at their work, for the purpose of speaking to them about the salvation of their souls; and on these occasions I find the Irish language very useful, as the most inveterate opposers of religion, when addressed in their own tongue, are ready to hearken with attention. The conversations that occur from time to time are often very interesting.

=M. Mullarky.=

CONTRIBUTIONS.

Received by the Treasurer:--

£ s. d. R. G., per W. L. Smith, Esq. 1 1 0 Legacy of the late Mrs. Bailey, of Brixton 200 0 0 T. Stephens, Esq., Ramsgate 1 0 0 Mrs. John Gale, Bedford 0 10 0 Mrs. Gamby, ditto 0 10 0

Received by the Rev. J. Dyer:--

Rev. J. B. Burt (Beaulieu) and friends 2 0 0 Sylvanus Fox, Esq., Wellington 0 10 0 Hetton, by Mrs. Greatrex 1 10 0 Manchester, York Street Sunday School, by Mrs. Giles. 2 2 0 Plymouth, by Rev. S. Nicholson 3 1 0 John Baylis, Esq., Ponders' End. 10 0 0 Rev. J. Stuart, Sawbridgeworth 1 1 0 Bewdley, Friends, by Rev. G. Brookes 1 15 9 Edinburgh, Friends, by Rev. W. Innes 4 0 0 Edinburgh, Friend, by Miss Haldane 1 0 0 Rev. Reynold Hogg, Kimbolton 2 2 0

By the Secretary:--

A Friend to the Baptist Irish Society, by the Rev. C. Elven, of Bury 100 0 0 W. Paxon, Esq., ann. subs. 1 1 0 W. B. W. 5 0 0 C. Robson, Berwick 5 0 0 The Baptist Congregational Missionary Society, Berwick 5 0 0

Collected by the Rev. S. Davis,--

At Cheltenham, additional 2 2 6 Worcester, Mrs. Page 5 0 0 Birmingham 34 5 10 Liverpool 100 4 8 Bradford (Yorkshire) 3 0 0 Rochdale 8 5 0 Manchester 33 9 0 Bolton 4 0 0 Warrington 8 14 7

* * * * *

Subscriptions received by S. Marshall, Esq., 181, High Holborn; Mr. P. Millard, Bishopsgate Street; Messrs. Burls, 56, Lothbury; Rev. G. Pritchard, 4, York Place, Pentonville, gratuitous Secretary; by Messrs. Ladbrokes and Co., Bankers, Bank Buildings; by Mr. H. D. Dickie, 13, Bank Street, and Rev. Mr. Innes, Frederick Street, Edinburgh; and P. Brown, Esq., Cardigan.

LONDON: J. HADDON, PRINTER, CASTLE STREET, FINSBURY.

MISSIONARY HERALD. CXCVIII. JUNE, 1835.

BAPTIST MISSION.

The Friends to this Mission are respectfully informed, that the following arrangements have been made for the =Annual Meetings of the Society=:--

TUESDAY, JUNE 16.

=Morning, xi.=--The Committee of the Society will assemble at the Mission House, Fen Court, when the company of all ministers of the Denomination, who may be in town, is requested.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17.

=Morning, xi.=--Sermon at the Poultry Chapel (Rev. J. Clayton's), by the Rev. =Samuel Summers=, of Bristol.

=Evening, vi.=--Sermon at Surrey Chapel, Blackfriars Road, by the Rev. =Benjamin Godwin=, of Bradford, Yorkshire.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18.

=Morning, IX.=--Meeting for prayer, at Eagle Street Meeting House. Some Minister from the country is expected to deliver an Address.

=XI.=--Annual Meeting of the Society, at Finsbury Chapel, =T. F. Buxton=, Esq., M.P., in the Chair.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

COLOMBO.

We have much pleasure in communicating the following intelligence from this important station. The baptism of twenty-four native converts in less than a year, and the formation of another church composed of those who were lately heathens, are circumstances of great interest, and must be very encouraging to our worthy brother, who has been labouring so diligently among them.

At nearly the conclusion of another year, I am reminded of my obligations to write to you. On surveying the events which have occurred in it, we have reason to sing both of mercy and judgment to our heavenly Father. While much affliction has reigned around us, I have to bless God for the continuation of my own life and health to labour for Him. Each of the members of my own family have had to endure a large degree of sickness and debility; yet it has not come near to myself, except as the enervating nature of a tropical clime has produced a considerable degree of lassitude, connected with the labours of a Missionary life. Nor do I recollect that, during the year I have been obliged to suspend any public exercise through personal indisposition. This continuance of health has been rendered more valuable in consequence of the repeated illness of my colleague, brother Siers, who has been many times laid aside from his work, so that I have been obliged in many instances, as far as I could consistently with my stated engagements, to take what devolves on him. As he is chiefly occupied in labouring among the Portuguese, I have been under the necessity of cultivating an acquaintance with their language, and have now acquired a sufficiency of it to preach in it the glorious Gospel of the blessed God.

In the commencement of the year, things wore a distressing appearance, and we went forward with our work under many discouragements. But in the progress of the year I do not know of any part of the time since I have been here, in which a greater degree of the Divine blessing appears to have rested on my labours, as far as the native population is concerned. Twenty-three Singalese, and one Tamil man, after subjecting them to a considerable trial, and private as well as public instruction, have been baptized and added to the church, and they appear to continue to walk according to the vows they have made. Sixteen of these live contiguous to the village called Byamvillee, which I either supply myself or some of our friends, every Sabbath-day; so that we have now a little church in that village of twenty-eight members, to whom the word of God is regularly preached, and the ordinances of His house duly administered. By the aid, too, of some of the members of our Singalese church, we have been enabled, on a Sabbath-day, to carry on a village itinerancy to a greater extent than before. So that, in addition to the Singalese, Portuguese, and English services, which are conducted in our regular places of worship in the Grand Pass, Pettah, in the Fort, and Hanwella, we have seven places around Colombo, or in the environs of it, where there is Singalese preaching, either every Sabbath or every other Sabbath-day. These are independent of many places to which, on week days, we go to make known the name of the Saviour.

In consequence of the recent removals of the 61st and 97th regiments from Colombo to other parts of the island, our English church has been almost entirely scattered; but a small number are now again collected, who have been regularly organized into a Christian society. Our schools, which at the commencement of the year were much diminished by the alarming prevalence of the small-pox, have again recovered to in general their former size; especially the female school in our own yard, conducted by my own family, which now numbers more than fifty scholars, who have made very rapid progress in reading and in needlework. I fear unless we can obtain further assistance in this school, it must for a time be renounced, as my eldest daughter appears, by a continued pain in her side, to labour under a liver complaint, which renders a relaxation of her labours indispensably necessary, even if a removal to a colder clime be not requisite to save her life. Our schools, with the exception of one, which, on account of local circumstances, has for a time been lately discontinued, are the same in number as at the conclusion of the last year--and the number of attendants nearly the same.

The inhabitants of this part of the island have been much afflicted lately by a dreadful flood, which no one living ever recollects to have been equalled. It came on suddenly and unexpectedly, at mid-night, like the judgment day. By it multitudes were roused from their slumbers, and obliged to fly for their lives. Many were killed by it; the houses of others destroyed--and being near the approach of harvest, the injury done to the rice and other crops is incalculable. Many of our members have suffered severely from it, in the loss of their little property, in the destruction of their houses, and in the bodily privations they have endured. I went on Wednesday last to preach at a village where one of our members lives, and the account he gave me of the perilous condition in which he and his family were, was most heart-rending. The water rose as high as the shoulders of a tall man in his house. His dwelling was washed away. He and his son were obliged to ascend to the outside of the roof of a bungalow, where they remained two days without food; if they called no one could hear them, they could get near no one, nor any one near to them. There, amidst the pelting of the rain--the howling of the wind--the creaking of the trees--and the fear of the place on which they were sitting falling, they were obliged to continue. The government, with the most commendable diligence, sent boats laden with rice and dried fish, as far as they were able; and a subscription has been opened to afford relief to the sufferers, which has been liberally supported. I engaged persons, whom I supplied with money, to go among the most needy in and near to Colombo, and give them food to prevent their dying with hunger. Our meeting-house at Hanwella has been entirely destroyed by the inundation; and, in the present state of things there, I do not think it expedient to build it again. A small bungalow will be erected for the accommodation of those who wish to hear the word of God; and I hope to obtain a sufficient quantity of timber from the wreck to erect a little place of worship at Byamvillee, if I can obtain sufficient subscriptions for it.