and zeal, would be your most immove able, your most affectionate, and most grateful friends, will assuredly become the fearful engines of Divine Vengeance, for your guilty and cruel indifference!

Yet, however, there is hope; there is encouragement. Various circumstances now exist, which render the present moment inviting for exertion. If they should be neglected, you will not need the gift of prophecy to fore tell the consequences. If they are seized and properly improved, you may certainly calculate on the happiest effects. Some of those circumstances shall be briefly stated. --

"Previously to the late rebellion, the poor Catholics in Ireland very loudly complained of the rapacity of their priests; and their complaints were urged with such effect, as to obtain a considerable abatement in the fees of their clergy. The rebellion furnished an opportunity to the priests for raising their demands to a more exorbitant pitch than ever; and at this rate they still continue. But, if the internal peace of Ireland be happily preserved a little longer, as the present exactions are really beyond the power of the poor generally to comply with, a spirit of dissatisfaction with their deplorable su perstitions may be excited, and a favourable state of mind may be expected for listening to the voice of seriptural truth. How desirable, that the friends of the gospel should have every advantage to avail themselves of this approaching opportunity!

To

"In several parts of the country, some excellent persons have lately set up Protestant Schools, where the children of the poor are taught gratis. these institutions, notwithstanding the opposition of the priests, and the erection of free Popish Schools, a manifest preference has been given by the poor Catholics. The reason of which is, the superior care and advantages of tuition : and where no such opportunity of option is afforded, the fact must be attributed to the earnest desire of these poor people to obtain some education for their children. The existence of this eager desire is a circumstance of great importance. Let it only be met by the presentation of correspondent opportunities, and then the inestimable seeds of religious knowledge and sound principles may be plentifully sown.

"It was before observed, that the Catholics are generally taught to regard

the Protestants as deniers of Christ. Now it has been observed that these poor people indicate surprize and pleasure, when by any casual opportunity they are brought to hear the gospel preached in purity and simplicity. Such instances, indeed, are not very frequent; but they have occurred sufficiently to establish the general fact.

"The principal ways of access to the Catholics are, the distribution of Bibles, New Testaments, and small religious publications; the establishment of free schools; occasional opportunities of friendly conversation with the Roman Catholics; and the faithful preaching of the cross of Christ, especially at funerals, which are often attended by many Catholics, who would on no other account join in Protestant worship.

"But great hopes cannot be entertained from the most pious and diligent ministry, so long as the people remain destiture of the Holy Scriptures. It was the liberal circulation of those Divine Oracles which established the Reformation in Germany, England, &c.; and where the same means have been employed by individuals in Ireland, the same happy effects have been observed to follow. Though the priests have compelled some persons, to whom Bibles had been given, to return them, this is not generally the case; and there are some happy instances in which the reading of the sacred volume alone has been the instrument of apparently sincere conversion.

"In most of the Irish cottages, one or more may be found who can read English. When such persons can get a book, they are delighted in shewing their superiority by reading it to their neighbours, who flock eagerly around them. Unhappily, they seldom obtain any thing but the vilest trash of immoral and infidel pamphlets. But, if the country shop-keepers and hawkers found it their interest, by an increase of profit, they would circulate New Testaments, and valu .ble religious publications, in this very extensive manner. And the poor Roman Catho. lics will almost always sacritice their prejudices to the pressure of their po verty, in buying books for their own reading, or for the education of their children. It seems extraordinary, but it is true, that the man who would perhaps she 1 his heart's blood, in defence of what he calls the holy church,

will gladly save a few pente by the purchase of a Protestant, rather thm a Popish school-book!

**It is, on the whole, manifest that no methods, except the diffusion of the Scriptures, particularly the New Testament, will ever have due effect in removing the prejudices, civilizing the manners, and enlightening the minds of Three Millions of our fellow-subjects. Liberally pour among them this light of heavenly truth, and the dominion of darkness, and the impositions of priesteraft will fall before the testimony of God. They will then be capacitated to attend with profit on a faithful Protestant ministry, they will hear with understanding, they will compare what they hear with the pages of inspired wisdom, and they will believe with the heart unto righteous

ness."

IRELAND.

Early in the Month of January, a Public Meeting will be called, of which que notice will be given, for the purpose of establishing a Society to diffuse the Knowledge of the Gospel in Ireland. Numerous as are the claims on British Liberality, we doubt not, that this will meet with ample support.

Aug. the 8th, was ordained at West Melton, Yorkshire, Mr. Win. Meurkouse, jun. late student at Rotherham, to the pastoral office over an Independent church at that place. Mr. Bruce, of Wakefield, began with prayer, &c. Mr. Boden, of Sheffield, delivere 1 the introductory discourse, proposed the questions, &c.; Dr Williuns, of Rotherbam, offered the ordination-prayer; Mr. W. Moorhouse, sen. of Huddersfield, the father of the candidate, delivered a very solemn and impressive charge, from 2 Tim. iv. 5, latter part; Mr. Toothhill, of Hopton, preached to the people, from 2 Thess. ii. 19; Mr. Dawson, of Sheffield, concluded; Mr. King, of Doncaster, preached in the evening, from Ps. lxxxiv. 10.

A new and commodious place of worship, capable of accommodating about 800 persons, was opened, Aug. 29, at Whitby, in Yorkshire. In the morning, Mr. Lambert, of Hull, preached from Exod. xxv. 8.; and in the evening, two discourses were delivered: the former by Mr. Willoughby, of Pickering, on Zech. x. S.; the latter by Mir. Bottomley, of Scarborough, from Eccles. v. 1.-This interest, which was reduced to a low state, has been much revived during the two last years, un

Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Rev. H. Lacey, late of Winchmore Hill, was solemnly set apart to the co-pastoral office at Southampton, with the Rev. W. Kingsbury. Mir. Adams, of Winchester, began with prayer, &e.; Mr. Beanet, of Romsey, delivered the introductory discourse: Mr. Kingsbury prayed; Mr. Back, of London, addressed the minister; Mr. J. Winter, of Newbury, offered the intercessory prayer; Mr. Bogue preached; and Mr. Tyreman concluded. -It is worthy of remark, that the day was the fortieth anniver sary of Mr. Kingsbury's Ordination.

On Tuesday, Oct. 9, the Half-yearly Meeting of the Wilts Association was held at the Independent chapel at Frome. Mr. R. Elliott preached in the morning, on Christian Prudence, from Prov. xiii. 16; Mr. Jay in the afternoon, from Luke i. 74, 75 ; and Mr. Lowell in the evening, from Isaiah xxviii. 22. Messrs. Honywell, Priestley (of London) Herdsman, severally engaged in administering the ordinance of the Lord's Supper; and Mess. Lewis, Jones, Sloper, Claypole, Williams, and Lamb, engaged in prayer. The next Meeting of the Association is appointed to he held at Swindon, on the Wednesday in Easter Week, 1806: Mr. C. Muston to preach in the morning, on Sincerity; Mr. Priestley in the afternoon; and Mr. Jay in the evening.

On the 23d of October, was opened at Bodmin, in Cornwall, a new and spacious chapel:- and at the same time and place was held the Association of the County-Ministers. Mr. Wildbore, of Falmouth, preached in the morning, from Isa. Ixvi. 1, 2.; and Mr. M'All, of St. Ives, administered the Lord's Supper; Mr. Moore, of Mevagissey, preached in the afternoon, from Mat. xxiv. 14.; Mr. Cope, of Launceston, in the evening, from Isa. XXXV. 1.; Mess. Wildbore, jun. Rooker, Angear, Davey, and other brethren engaged in prayer. The Accounts of the State of the Congregations afforded comfort; and another additional itiner ant minister is expected by ChristIt was proposed, that Penrynchapel (now building) should be opened, and Mr. Wildbore, jun, be or

mas.

dained on the 1st of January next.— The Spring Association was fixed to be held at Truro, on the Tuesday after Whitsunday.

Oct. 23. The Rev. Mr. Alexander was ordained pastor of the Independent church lately formed at Prescot, Lancashire. It may excite the gratitude and the prayers of our readers in behalf of this little Christian Society, when we inform them, that we can discover no traces of the period when the gospel was preached in its purity in this town, till within a very few years past. Mr. Roby, of Manchester, gave the introductory discourse, on the Nature of a Christian Church; Mr. Sharp, of St. Helens, offered the ordination-prayer; Mr. Charrier, of Lancaster, gave the charge, from 2 Tim. ii. 21. Mr. Ralph, of Liverpool, preached to the people, from 1 Thess. v. 13. The Methodists very liberally granted the use of their chapel for the service of the day.

On Sunday, the 10th of Nov. was opened for public worship the new Independent Meeting-house at Woodbridge, in Suffolk. The former house, which stood on the same scite, was built in the year of the glorious Revolution: though by no means smail, was extremely inconvenient, and going so fast to decay as scarcely to be considered perfectly safe. The present erection is decently plain, and conveniently spacious; and we are happy to add, that so acceptable are the services of the minister, the Rev. Mr. Price, that it is likely to be well attended. On the day of opening, two appropriate sermons were preached by Mr. Lowell, of Bristol (the forer pastor) and by Mr. Newton, of Witham, in Essex.

So numerous, however, were the auditories, that many persons could by no means gain admission.

Oct. 28th, a Sermon was preached for the benefit of the Society for Missions to Africa and the East, at the Rev. Mr. Storry's Church (St. Peter's) Colchester, by the Rev. Basil Woodd, of Bentinck Chapel, London; when a collection was made, amounting to 668. 13s. 6d. beside New AnDual Subscribers to the amount of Ten Guineas. A great part of the collec tion was contributed by a family of bigh rank, residing at Colchester.

The Rev. Mr. Thorp, pastor of the church in New Court, Carey Street, London, has accepted of a call to tha church at Castle Green, Bristol, late under the care of the Rev. Mr. Hey, now pastor of an Independent church at Philadelphia, in America.

A few Sabbaths ago, as Mr. Flower, formerly of Canon Street, London, was returning from worship at Mr. Jennings's Meeting - place, Islington, to his lodgings in Wells's Row, he was seized, when crossing the field, with a sudden disorder, fell down, and expired immediately. This affecting providence admonishes us to attend every divine ordinance with seriousness, not knowing how sudden a transition we may be called to make from the house of God to his immediate presence!

EXECUTION.

When Harding and two other malefactors were executed, before Newgate, on Wednesday, Nov. 17, the Drop felt before the usual signal was given, and before Dr. Ford, the Ordinary, who was reading or speaking to the unhappy sufferers, had retired hack from the part of the floor which fell; by which accident he was precipitated to the bottom (about eight feci) and se. verely hurt. We mention this only to notice the affecting instance of human depravity exhibited by the gazing multitude on that occasion, who, instead of discovering a Christian sympathy for the dying criminals, or a due concern for the clergyman, indecently burst into a loud laugh. We are sorry to record such an instance of brutal folly in a British multitude.

When brought into the mouth of straits,

With rocks on either hand,
Before them, lo! the sea retreats,
And leaves the open sand!
Where never foot before had trod
They safely pass along;
They saw the wondrous pow'r of God,
And then his praises sung!

Yet when one bitter draught they taste
At Marah, they repine,
Forgetting, in their sinful haste,

Their Leader was divine.

The brackish waters soon made sweet,
Their raging thirst relieve;
Ere long they cry aloud for meat,

Still backward to believe!
Not from the ground alone the Lord
Can man with bread supply:
He can to myriads food afford,

Descending from the sky!

The flinty rock, at his command,

A copious stream shall yield;
The man of God lifts up his hand,

And Israel wins the field.
Such was the way their faith to try,
Jehovah's pow'r to show,
To raise his matchless glory high,
And lay their boasting low!

ש כ

IT IS I, BE NOT AFRAID. Written during a violent storm of Thunder and Lightning.

When storms arise and tempests howl,
And clouds obscure the sky;
When lightnings flash and thunders roll,
Be not afraid, 'tis I!

If doubts about a future state

Extort th' serious cry, "What shall I do? my sins are great!" Be not afraid 'tis I.

While Satan aims a fiery dart,

Temptations make thee sigh; Believe in me: - I'll keep thy heart, And fear not, it is I!

Should health, and wealth, and friends forsake,

Yea, dissolution nigh,

And Death's cold hand make Nature shake,

Be not afraid, 'tis I.

'Tis I who liv'd, 'tis I who dy'd,

That thou may'st reign on high Behold my hands, my feet, my side, And be convinc'd 'tis I. J. M.