Society. MY DEar Friends, was not an individual that did not shew To the Secretaries of the Baptist Irish the greatest token of approbation. From that to Easkey, where we had about two hours more, from that back again to R--'s, where we had a thronged house, and did not break up until a late hour. Next morning, before I was up, they began to assemble, and very civilly requested I would spend that day with them, and numbers of Papists would come; and added, that it was a holy day, being Whit-Monday. I told them, for the past it was the happiest time to me I ever spent, and not to spare me. I began the third of Romans, but was in-. terrupted, that I should read and speak Irish, as many of them did not understand English. I told them I was glad that I spake better Irish than English, which is the truth. However, a long part of the instruction was to make them understand what the law was, and for what purpose it was given, and until they understood this they could not understand the gospel-how a sinner, condemned by the holy law of God, could stand justified before the same God. I did not quit the subject until I was persuaded every individual understood me: this is plain, as with one consent they acknow. ledged they did not know what law or gospel signified: so you see what a pity it is so many perishing for lack of knowledge. They beseeched I would go again, saying that there is a great extent of that country would be glad of the opportunity. But in all places I ever travelled I never found any soil so prepared for the seed of the word. There were some respectable men in the company, as to worldly circumstances. I spent the next day in Easkey, and another near it, but with enlightened brethren; two days more in and about Ardnaglass, a day in Collooney, and the next home. As this is the longest journey I ever took, so it is the longest journal I ever wrote; and some places I have omitted, and also occurrences that took place; and my sole reason for this tedious journal is, to shew the difference this year of Ireland to what it was twenty-five years ago; that in all the places I have mentioned, at that time there was scarcely one who had a glimpse of gospel light, or was inquiring after it; and now, there is no direction that a man will face, but there will be both men and women having clear gospel views; some that were obstinate bigoted Papists, that now would die martyrs for the truth. So I conclude, whether I live or die, fervently praying that the Lord will prosper his own word, and raise faithful men as he hitherto has done, to bring poor benighted souls to the light of that glorious gospel. Ennis. I preached to considerable conI have been twice, since I wrote last, to gregations, most of whom were Roman Catholics. It is a most dark and dreadful place. I saw a man there who had been to Counsellor M--'s for books, to teach a school for the London Hibernian Society, near Tullo; the counsellor and I asked him some questions, he said he was forty years of age, nine of which he was a schoolmaster-never saw a Bible but when he heard them spoken against or a Testament, nor never heard of either, by the priests. But this is not a rare instance. Mr. M—— is a most worthy man, is not ashamed of the gospel of in the dark town of Ennis, which is si Christ, and is a bright and shining light tuated twenty miles north-west of Limerick, and is the county town of Clare. the scriptures at Bally Car, where I was Preached twice at Partheen; expounded most kindly received by M-C- and his worthy lady: he continues to read the scriptures to his poor people, and a serhis parlour open for all that wish to come mon every Lord's-day evening, and has he has a little congregation of from twenty to thirty. I had a great discussion at six-mile bridge, in the street; all the people nearly in the town were assembled. Three popish advocates opposed and spoke till nearly night, at which me. I replied to all their arguments, time I had eight Irish miles to come, quite exhausted in bodily strength: the which all my adversaries were not able "Lord gave me a mouth and wisdom, to gainsay or resist;" the multitude appeared quite divided, some said I the doctrine of supererogation on the rich was right. They endeavoured to support man's authority, who said he kept the commandments from his youth. But I satisfactorily proved to the people that he risee, entirely ignorant of the depravity was an idolater, and a self-righteous phaof his own heart, and the necessity of a Saviour, from which I took occasion to exalt the Redeemer to the utmost of my timony of prophets and apostles, that power, and proved, from the united testhere was no salvation but through him. One of the popish advocates acknowledged that he was an idolater, and as such he could not enter the kingdom of God, which had a good effect. They asserted that the Roman Catholic church was the only one which descended from the apostles, and was the only right one. I proved that the church of Christ always existed entirely separate from the popish church; showed the constitution of the first christian church established at Jerusalem; traced the history of that church, and proved, and openly declared to the multitude without the least fear, that the popish church was the antichristian, false, and heathenish one. I spoke of the necessity of a diligent attention to the scriptures, and insisted on every man's right to think for himself. While I spoke with the greatest faithfulness, I did also with civility, and gave them to understand it was their welfare I sought, and left them under the impression that I was their sincere friend. This is only a glance at what transpired. Preached at Mount Shannon and Clonwella, in the county of (alway, and was well attended. At Clonwella I saw a very old man, I wished to speak to him, and did so; I said, "My friend, you appear to have been a long time in the world." He said he was in the one hundred and eighth year of his age, that he wished he had died thirty years ago, that he was very sick lately, and he thought he should have died. I said, "If you had, where do you think you should have gone?" He said, he did know that, the priest had prepared him. "Did he tell you about Jesus Christ, and what he had done for sinners?". He said not, that he knew nothing about Jesus Christ, nor that there was such a person. I told him, that if he died depending on the priest's preparation, that he would be certainly lost; this startled him, and appeared to prepare him for what I was going to say. I took every possible pains to convince him of the indispensable necessity of an interest in the Saviour; he appeared very thankful. I did not part with him until he appeared to have a head knowledge of how he was to be saved. I gave him something, as I found he was a poor man who had to beg at the end of his days. I said I would speak to him again next morning, and requested him to think deeply of what I had said. He told the woman of the house, that it was a good thing that he had not died when the priest prepared him, that he should have gone to hell, and did not cease to thank me. I saw him again next morning, and said a great deal to him, when he told me that he depended entirely for body and soul upon the Saviour. I preached at Nenagh, Birdhill, and O'Brien's Bridge, in the county of Tipperary: had two considerable congregations at Nenagh. Preached twice, since my last, at Kilfinan and Ballyorgan, in the county Limerick, and went to Glanasheen, on the borders of the county of Cork: there were two large congregations at Kilfinan. The Sunday school, which I established there about six years back, has flourished in a most superior way; about a hundred children regularly attend; their knowledge of the scriptures is surprising; I should not be ashamed to compare it with any in England: the greatest praise is due to the worthy, the pious, and the zealous Mrs. C. D. O, and amiable family. A I preached from the decks of ships to large congregations in Limerick. Baptist chapel would be of the greatest use here; it is the greatest trial to my mind, when the people ask where is your chapel; to reply I have not one. I hope the Lord will put it in the hearts of his people to build one for his glory. Never was there such a time of inquiry; surely the angel is flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever. May Satan and antichrist fall as lightning from heaven, and every system of religion, which has not the Bible for its authority, and Christ for its foundation. May the efforts of the Lord's people still be abundantly blessed, that his truth may prevail, his salvation be received, and his name glorified throughout the earth. REV. SIR, W. THOMAS. To the Rev. J. West. I have been reading, and lecturing, as usual, since my last (in the native language) on the doctrines of salvation, and the danger of neglecting it, and endeavoured, in my feeble way, to engage the attention of the illiterate, and learned, to the great and inestimable benefits, which are connected with a saving knowledge of God's word. And have had the satisfaction of hearing many of them acknowledge the force of divine truth, exclaiming that they violated God's holy law by transgression. That Jesus was the way, the truth, and the life, and that none cometh to the Father, but by him. I commenced reading in Ballinvalley beyond Collooney, where about twenty persons came toge. ther, to hear the word, I declared to them that Christ died for sinners, according to the scriptures: and the next day, I addressed an increased number in Carrownedin, the word of God seemed quick and powerful, and the people seemed to rejoice for the privilege of having it sent to them, in their own language. From thence I travelled to Doomow, where sixteen persons attended; I read and shew ed them sin and its dreadful consequences, the wrath of God against it, the Saviour's atonement, his pardoning mercy to sinners, through sovereign grace. The inhabitants of this village made themselves very conspicuous by their expressions of joy, while they heard in their own tongue, the wonderful works of God. I came to E- O'B's house, of Streams Town, where thirteen persons met to hear me read and expound the Irish scripture; and, as there was no Protestant among them, they felt themselves at liberty to ask questions more freely concerning my departure from their religion; dwelt on the fundamental truths of the gospel, and shewed them the ground of my hope, and then contrasted the teaching of popery, with the godly doctrines of the holy scriptures; and, after discoursing for a long time on the things that made for their peace, they gave their opinions unreservedly of their clergy, approved of all they heard, with a seriousness and attention, which evinced the power of the gospel. In Tobbercurry, Ohamban, Cashel, and Achonry, I opened the scriptures in the fields, where many of them were busy at work; and in the cabins also, which were soon filled, where I continued during two days, opening, reasoning, and expounding the scriptures, made many familiar remarks, and endeavoured to impress on their minds, the necessity of faith and repentance, the duty we owe to God, and to one another; they all expressed their thankfulness, and requested a repetition of my visit. I was much interested in seeing their good conduct, steady attention, and eagerness to hear, which they evinced by calling on God to have mercy on them, and to forgive them their sins for Christ's sake, which they repeated several times, in their own language. The schools in general are doing pretty well: the opposition is not so violent at present as usual, and consequently those who were forced away from the schools, are returning, and some of them have as many chapters committed to memory at home, as if they had remained in the schools. JOHN O'BRIEN. Mrs. and Miss Whitchurch, Sa- Mrs. Wright, Naylor Rev. Mr. Morris and Friends, Boro' Green, Wrotham, Kent, by Rev. Dr. Rippon ....... 0 16 0 1 0 0 6 5 0 12 0 7 18 9 1 All Sums received before June 24, 1 will be acknowledged in the Annual Re 1 0 1 0 0 port, which will be ready for delivery in the course of the present month. 80000 Missionary Herald. BAPTIST MISSION. Home Proceedings. Fund for Widows and Orphans. THE peculiarly trying situation of the families of those Missionary brethren who are removed, in the midst of their labours, by the hand of death, has often attracted the attention and sympathy of the friends of the Gospel. The circum stances of such families are doubly afflictive, since they are far removed from those who, if residing near, may be induced to take a liberal interest in their welfare; and suitable opportunities of exerting themselves for their own support in a foreign land but rarely occur. Few will be disposed to question the legitimate and equitable claim of widows and orphans, thus situated, to pecuniary assistance from the funds of the Society in connexion with which their husband and parent expended his health and strength; while the ever-growing number of such claims renders it desirable that they may be met and discharged in such a way, as shall affect, as little as possible, the fund appropriated to the sacred purpose of propagating the gospel among the heathen. Influenced by such considerations, the Committee of the Baptist Missionary So ciety have long been anxious to follow the example of other similar Institutions, in forming a distinct fund for this object; and it is with feelings of grateful satisfaction that they announced, in the Report which has lately issued from the press, that they had been enabled to appropriate the sum of £1000, as a commencement during the past year. It is intended to make a small annual payment to the fund, on behalf of every Missionary in connexion with the Society; and to refrain from any disbursement, till the annual expenditure for this object, shall have amounted to £500. It may be reasonably <xpected, that such of our Missionary brethren as have the means, will gladly aid the design by their contributions; but, as VOL. XVII it is obvious that, without further augmentations, it will be long before the fund can be rendered available, it is hoped that many of our friends, who possess the ability of doing so without impairing their exertions for the Mission generally, will shew their affectionate regard to the devoted servants of the Redeemer, by making donations for this object. Those who have relations engaged in Missionary labour will feel, of course, especially in terested in this labour of love. Communications on this subject will be gratefully received by the Secretary at the Mission House, No. 6, Fen-court, Fenchurch-street. Foreign Intelligence. SERAMPORE. A LETTER from Dr. Carey to his late much lamented friend Dr. Rylaud, dated 1st of February last, received after the death of the latter, contains the following paragraph: I HAVE now the pleasure of saying, that I am in a state of as good health as I ever enjoyed, except that I limp a little; it is, however, scarcely perceived by others, though sufficiently so by myself. The goodness of God has very far exceeded my expectations, and those of every one else. I cannot walk to any great distance; and seldom preach to the natives. This is, however, abundantly compensated, as it respects them, by the labours of Brother Mack and Brother Williamson, both of whom are truly excellent men, and much interested in the salvation of the heathen: as it respects myself, I am not so well satisfied, for though I have, for several years, been principally engaged in the translation of the scriptures, still I frequently preached to them till I received the hurt. I take my turns in English preaching, as usual. Next week we have a Mission Association of the Baptist, Independent, and Lutheran ministers employed by the Church Mission Society. I am to preach the English ser2 R mon on Tuesday evening, at the Circular Road Chapel. I think of taking this text: Gal. vi. 9, "Let us not be weary in welldoing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." I, who have seen the work from the beginning, think that much fruit has been reaped already; but some, who came later to the work, cannot compare two periods so distant from each other, as I can, and, therefore need encouragement in their work. CUTWA. THE following brief statement of the exertions of the native preachers under the direction of Mr. William Carey, are sufficient to prove that they are assiduous and constant in declaring the great truths of the Gospel to their countrymen. IN July, Kangalee was laid by, by sickness; however, he had some conversation with different persons who came occasionally to his house. In July, Radhamohon was some time at Serampore; he went to Maniktola, where great numbers heard the word. On the 2nd, he left Serampore for Cutwa, and on the way had much conversation with numbers of people: he was ill with a fever for several days. In July, Poros has been pretty well employed in dispensing the word of life to his countrymen, but he had but little dispute, and nothing uncommon occurred to relate; he has also been ill. In July, Soroop has often been out amongst his countrymen, and has had much talk about the lost state of man, and the alone way of salvation by Jesus Christ; he has also been hindered by sickness. In August, Kangalee was ill for about fifteen days; but since that he was well employed in different places, and many heard the word of God from him; he found many much pleased with what was said, but some were displeased and went away. In August, Poros was pretty well employed at Dewangunge; he spoke to a good number about the evil of sin, and about the great necessity of their believing in the death of Christ. The people were very attentive. On the 12th, he spoke from the 1st chapter of Romans, and enlarged much. The people, upon the whole, were attentive. In August, Soroop has been out several times, and has had many to hear him. In September, Kangalee has been well employed. On the 2nd, he set off for Sewery, in Beerbhoom, and on the way had much conversation; he stopped at Bherry for some days; many hearing of his arrival, came to see and hear him. The conversations and labours that Kangalee went through this month were very pleasing indeed, and show that the people around are not altogether thoughtless about better things. In September, Poros was well employed at Dewangunge, Cutwa, and other places; numbers heard the word of life from him, and, upon the whole, he found the people attentive to the great truths published to them. tunities of publishing the word of truth, In September, Soroop had many opporand found the people attentive to what was said. In October, Kangalee returned from Beerbhoom; the few days that he spent of this month there were very pleasing. Numbers of people came to hear the word of life from him, and he found some hopeful persons amongst them. On his way to Cutwa, he had much talk with people who seemed to have a desire to know about these things; he had many questions asked, and many disputes. October, Poros has been ill for some days; but when he was well, he was pretty well employed, and many heard the word of God from him with pleasing attention. MONGHYR. OUR readers will doubtless rejoice with us in the following very pleasing intelligence, contained in a letter from Mr. Leslie to Mr. Dyer, dated Monghyr, March 21, 1825. SHORTLY after the death of Hingham Misser, a circumstance which made us hang our harps upon the willows, (for then we saw one of our most valuable native preachers cut down in the prime of his days, and no prospect of his place being filled up) the Lord was pleased to open the heart of a young man belonging to the writer caste, and to lead him openly to declare himself a follower of Christ. He had sometime before been employed by us as a teacher; from which circumstance he was brought not merely into · contact with Christians, but was under the necessity of reading the scriptures, which were the principal means in the hand of God in opening his eyes. After long hesitation, and many struggles of mind, he was led to take the decided step of breaking caste, and of taking up his |